Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1888-01-06

been SO sudden. am not married yet,
but just as good God grant L may
have strength to fulfill my promise
What could / say? what could | do?
Must 1 give up hope, yes, my very life
"No. / could not; no l would not. 1
mast know all.
Placing her arm in mine, we started
for the hotel, some three-quarters of q
| mile distant. In silence we walked
along until We came to the park. Here
made bold effort to control myself,
and asked her to take a seat and tell
me ali, but she hesitated, then said:
1T is due you, and WILL but remem-
Der, there's to be no argument.
have given my promise, and for my
parents sake I must fulfill it, al
though it may take my life.
My father is in the ship-building
business at Portland, and somehow or
other has been losing money for three
or four years.
"tAbout ten months ago he had large
vessel about half completed, when he
found himself short of money. What
was to be done? We contriyed every
means, and ut last father went to his
booh-keeper for help, as he had plenty
of money.
After showing father his standing
he said he would think about lending
him the money. At the same time he
said if the vessel could be completed
he would come out all right. 1t was
agreed he should come to our house
that evening and make arrangements
for the loan. Now wish you to know
the same gentleman had been calling
upon me, and had proposed, but as 1
did not love him, 1 refused his offer.
"'When he called that evening he told
my father he could have the money on
one condition, and that was L should
promise to marry him,
"sFather was almost struck dumb, but
not knowing of his being rejected by
me. 1 was sent for and made acquainted
with his proposition. My father about
to be ruined, and I could save him
But how? By marrying man I did
not love.
How could I? Iasked for one day
to decide, but his book-keeper said one
day would ruin my father. had no
time to think of myself, but thought
only of my father and ruin. In a
moment 1 had given my promise.
:" so now, my friend, for hope you
will remain so, you know all: and 1
humbly ask your forgiveness for even
recognizing you when we met.
" I knew from the first moment we
met you loved me, and, God forgive
me, returned it. Now let us part
friends, and never more meet again. 1 |
go to life of misery, but you try to
forget me, and perhaps you may once
more be happy in some true woman's
love-
with this sad story finished she arose
and prepared to go. What could I say?
There was no chance for argument. We
walked to the hotel in silence, and |
bid her good-bye-forever.
MY life was blighted, and is SO long
IS time lasts. Next morning left, and |
soon after came here. Now. my friend,
eau YOU blame meg"
mo, indeed, 1 cannot, but so far as
advice goes I believe j can advise.
Have you ever heard whether they
were married or not 2"
"No: never dared trust myself with |
inquiry. l have only tried to forget;
out these long eight years have made
10 change my love to-day is as intense
is it was the evening we parted"
/ did not venture to say more, but
made up my mind to learn ii possible
whether or not Matte was married;
wrong scarcely ever wins thought /.
Next morning John was summoned to
The general managers Office, and that
evening he told me he was to start for
Portland at the next morning to at
tend to some collecting for the firm.
LII about week he returned, and |
will tell you lis story, as he told it to
me.
On arriving at our room the evening
alter his return ] found John busily en-
gagged i'll packing his trunk.
What's up, old boy" I asked, sur
prlsed: but one look at his radiant face
told me all. Such Joyous look never
before beheld
whats up said he, jumping up
and clasping M, hand, Overriding
everything; take seat. and light this
cigar. Nov, by Jove, are you comfort
ably settled? Ii so, will tell you ALL
st. Andrews, don't look happy. and
Lord, amt too happy to live!
"Say, Charley, you must pack ND vour
buds and so along with me-"
"Oh, no, you don't say but stop now
get to business, and tell me ALL"
"Iou say no? Well, but old boy If
has got 10 be yes; tomorrow noon we
leave