Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1888-12-21

| " NM
Very we'll; that just suits me. and as never
knew Duncan to be at the foot of his class in
school. or uncivil to the girls, or act other
wise than as a gentleman. / have invited
him to the party, and if you treat him
stability"
Miss Nellie tried to look dreadfully stern,
but smiled instead. Dale was disgruntled,
however, and refused to be good natured,
and went away muttering something about
that beggarly Duncan doing something to
make her ashamed of him yet.
Evidently. ill-humored Dale had a plan to
down that insoent pauper Little" on gene
raj principles, and he chose the Christmas
Eve party at the Aston mansion as the oc-
| casion of its execution.
| Such boys as he become ruthless plotters
when they set their mind to it: and. with
| the aid of confederates of his own set. Dale
had made it decidedly uncomfortable for his
| Juvenile enemy and rival before half the
Christmas Eve celebration was over.
Thus. when Duncan, after a breathless
game, strove to wipe the perspiration from
| his brow, the entire company snickered
audibly and pretty Nellie looked chagrined,
| for Dale had deity substituted handker-
chief we'll covered with SCOTT for the dazzling
white cambria Duncan imagined to be still
in its place.
| Later. in searching for a forfeit among his
papers. he was aghast to bring into view a
| whole deck of greasy well-thumbed playing
cards. And when later still mischievous
urchin put on Duncan's overcoat to play
old man. a flask of liquor and dozen cigar
stumps were produced, overwhelming Nellie
with modification.
| There was no opportunity for explanation.
and Duncan was ignored into obscurity for
1 Al,,%
adjourned to the stage fitted up in the pict-
ure room for some amateur theatricals,
Duncan gloomily took retired seat and
noticed Dales devotion to Nellie with a re-
sentfu eye. as he decided that through him
his disgrace had come.
The stage was built at the windowess
end Of the room and the pretty curtain and
scenery made the place resemble charm
ing miniature theater.
There had been rapturous applause at
comical speech from Dale. which Duncan
did not relish at all; songs and recitations;
and fairy spectacle was announced to con-
| clude the programme and the party.
| Nellie Aston was the fairy. A platform
| built and covered to represent rocks had
been placed at one side of the stage and
here, golden wand in hand the pretty
| hostess never looked so lovely as when
ushering her mines and elves before her.
Dale was supposed to hold the ropes that
secured the fral platform, on which Nellie
stood. in place, and Duncan was cnvying him
| the close guardianship of Nellie. when an
| accident occurred.
The curtain. sweeping too near a gas jet.
took fire. Instantly it communicated with
the tinder-like scenery There was rush
for the door, loud cries Of terror, and the
stage seemed ablaze.
bnt
acted his true nature. He might easily have
seized Nellie and borne her beyond the
stage. but he thought only of his own safety.
Releasing the ropes he dashed wildly out
of peril. AS ne did SO the platform fell. and
Nellie with it.
Save herr"
20. she's killed."
You miserable coward!" muttered the
indignant Duncan to the flying. affrighted
| Dale
With spring. brave Duncan reached the
stage. His hands and clothing were badly
scorched. but he not only placed the faint
ing Nellie in safe hands but succeeded in
eXtinguishing the flames.
| rs she badly hurt?"
NO, he saved her from the fire; but he is
terribly burned himself"
The crowd gathered around Duncan with
plying, excited clamor.
Tit is nothing" he murmured. with
brave effort at q smile. as one of the throng.
IL physician. glanced with serious face at
his scorchcd and scared hands.
| But the nothing" sent the blood from face
to heart and he tainted dead away.
THANK heaven, he is returning to con-
sciousness," spoke gentle, tremulous
voice. as Duncan again opened his eyes to
find himself lying on a luxurious couch and
Mrs. Alston's soft, soothing hand on his
brow.
Nellie" he gasped vaguely remembering
the scene on the platform.
she is well. She escaped with only"
"A triling fright" spoke Il voice full of
emotion. and Nellie came forward oh.
Duncan, but for YOU"
Some one else would have rescued YOU"
interrupted Duncan with reckless modesty
1T would certainly not have been Dale"
murmured Miss Nellie.
Brave boy!" said Mr., Aston an hour
later; but for your prudence and courage
life and property might have been sacrificed"
And when one Of Dale's friends con-
fesscd to schcming for Duncans disgrace.
Nellie took Duncun's hand in warm grasp.
Il msjudgcd YOU" she said. contrtely;
but l know you now. Your silence under
wrong was Drawer than your rescuing me.
l shall never speak to Dale again. Christ
mas has taught me which is my friend. You
are he. and the dearest gift can give you is
my gratitude!"
There were others who became his friends
besides Nellie Aston The acquaintance
Of Dale recognized that individuals true
cowardly nature in his flight from peril and
his crafty plot to defeat an honorable foe.
and he was almost totally ignored by his
former cronies.
If they could never aspire to Duncans
high heroism and steadfast principles. they
could at least admire them. and the lesson
he had taught brought golden fruits by pre-
cept and example to many an cumulative
heart ere another Christmas Day had
dawned.