Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1888-01-20
/, VISIT TO THE OLD HOME.
BY DAISY MURDOCH.

BY DAISY MURDOCH.
1sad gone down to the old place to see
ronsn Bill Wheatly. Cousin Bill had
e,oyed there and worked the farm, and been
lin all to grandmother and the rest,
, ai' had grown to be fine gentleman
in the city--very fine in my own estimation,
at least. And we were walking together
LANG the long green lane between a five
anrc meadow and the orchard, when we
heard scream.
&c %SGracious." cried Cousin Bill. "Thats
,er, know her voice. She's got fright
med by the COWS again. Hollo! I'm here
I'm coming, Don't stir Up on the fence,
know" he added to me in confidential
tones, aand RIGHT among the brambles."
who G.. earth is afraid of COWS in this
place." asked.
But Bill was gone, and in few mo-
ments returned with pretty girl on his
,r,n. The wind had blown her hair about,
md the bramblcs had torn her muslin dress,
Inf there was an air about her that | did
uot expect.
Miss Mason Cousin Henry" said Bill.
"NIr Hunter, perhaps, ought to say; but
hope You'll be Lilly to him and he Henry
10 Won, after while. He's a great favor
i,e of nine Lilly. and has got be Won
.l,rful lawyer in London. Eli, old boy?"
Miss Mason said a few gay words TO me.
and We walked home together. She kept
his arm. and they were evidently engaged;
and felt as though there could be moth
n,,s more unsuitable. A city ledger of my
hunts. supposed, for she was very ele-
can't. However. | found out after a while
thu, She was only the schoomistress. Her
father had been one of those lich men
who fail and leave their children penniless.
And she had had every advantage. Now
she bore her reverses with dignity and
sweetness. Perhaps the fact that Cousin
Bill had plenty OF money had caused her
to engage herself to him. / could think of
no other reason except that she had not
yet met me.
10 my taste, she was the prettiest girl
ever saw, and felt that Bill stood between
me and my happiness. Besides being a
beauty, she was accomplished, this girl.
She sang. painted, danced. She would
have made n suitable wife for the eminent
lawyer hoped to be-for judge, if came
to that She was thrown away on plain
farmer And thereupon l began to say to
myself, IF | tried, might cut Bill out
even yet. If do, SO much the better"
And, with this for my motive, stayed at
the hosptable farm for weeks. and Bill and
At last was obliged to go back to the
city. How far I had succeeded with Lilly
Mason do not know; but l was resolved
to put it to the test before l went.
And on the last evening-Bill having
vanished somehow contrived to get his
sweetheart to go with me into that very lane
behind the orchard where he had intro
duccd US, and there, in the twilight, told
her all felt.
81 love you, Lilly" said. "Do you love
me-"
For answer, she burst into tears.
My darling, why do you weep" asked.
She sobbed violently.
Don't ask me, she said. "Leave me.
Never speak to me again. l am engaged
to Your cousin, to Mr.. Wheatly. Did YOU
not guess as Much?"
IF did," answered, 81 did not feel
that that should prevent me from speaking.
1t is most unsuitable match. You are
throwing yourself away. L can place you
IN a position more suitable to you. You
could help me TO fight my way upward. I
believe YOU like me. Can you say YOU do
not:n
LILLY turned her face away.
DO not talk Of liking" size snid. "NIy
word IS pledged-my promise given. If I
nave forgotten it sometimes, remember it
NOW. William is very good to me. | will
marry him. At least shall learn to love
nm: Go; forget me. will forget YOU
VIII do my duty"
What next 1 should have said do not
hhow. A voice fell between us from over
.le stone fence against which ] leant. On
.he Other side stood my Cousin Wheatly,
tall and pale as ghost; and the words he
uttered were these: DUTY It's anybodv's
uuly not to marry unless she loves. If
sou don't love me, Lilly Mason, don't
H Mu you. Ii you do love Cousin Henry
huhter, Why. marry him. l wouldn't
''1 nn! IN Your way for kingdom"
LIS voice broke. He was sobbing.
y It's a blow" he said, "but he's right.
lou would be throwing yourself away on
ale--a country fellow without looks or
v ra' GOODBYE. I sha'nt bother
Son any more, Lilly"
turned to look at her. In the morning
sal alone at the breakfast table with Bills
1uuo'htr. She evidently knew the story.
f fret hospitality was grim instead of
friendly. She told me that William had
sa eeh intending to visit distant city for
sumo time, and had "set off" early that
morning
went over to the school befor the train
b b,ai'ee. Lilly Mason was alone behind
s'Tt "esk' her eyes swollen with tears. The
''n u, had not yet arrived
! mo- "hAe, w uOt weep. 1 am
,nofe In love with you than ever, and since
YOU love ne"
str nat, to my, establishment, Lilly Mason
! door "e' "D" poAn'eo W 'ne
do, now dare you come here?" she said, in
JJ s;,''y: Leave me! Love you, indeed!
SIMPLY hate you, MIR. Hunter"
sct tanu she meant it. I walked away in
nv n1vom nes1: and fury, and went back to
| RIM ielt that I had spoiled poor Cousin
l p,l1 happiness, and my own also. And
w uaa ma made pretty mess of it! Already
me- "' o o'' OF love with girl who had ordered
! NE. '0o uo QUO nateo
pe ol course ~ I never saw anything of the
Ana wp, Wh al the farm, or heard from them.
pir I TT9 9e1 finally, I married a charming
/ mnch Icy LEY mat my conscience would be
{. Of tha easier III were not for the memory
Nv e wrong had done Cousin Bill.
~ the % place. felt they al all hated hate I me,