The Red Cloud chief., 1889-02-15

gown for the plain, little travelling Dire,
and it WAS then, while they were slOn
together, that Helen suddenly said:
elizabeth, whatever became of Tom Ba
buryw
Elizabeth colored. "He is At home" 81
said, shortly.
Helen was arranging her hat, and did NJ
o at her. but said. quietly: 81 alwa,
thought he was such . very nice fellow!"
Elizabeth was silent. 1t was only Q fe'
minutes aficrward that Helen said Goodbye
She threw her arms around Elizabeth's nee
and kissed her again aud again. 'GOot
bye, dear" she said, and then she locke
straight ut Elizabeth out Of her wet gre
eyes, and added: 20, Elizabeth, I am .
happy"
Somehow Elizabeth felt that she had RI
ce!ved the charge to "Go and do likewise.
She tried to think 1t Wa by accident tha
Helen had mentioned TOMS name. but acci
dent or not, the thought persistently stage,
J in her mind that Helen believed it would b.
IA good thing il she should marry Tom Bar
bury. She could not rid herself Of the i'm
preston that she had somehow received
Hclen's consent and blessing.
She thought of Tom Q great deal; she
SOusuu y uCsR y. u Wu0 ~ 0OIHTlOI u
Helen's husband, in fact he was superior tt
most OF the men she met. Shc began to fee
guilty that she had not appreciated him
more.
On the long Journey home she INDUCED in
. great many day dreams. What il she
should marry Ton after ALI Her home was
absolutely hers in her " right. OF course
he would come there and live. Perhaps he
VQenlaIh fvva-0 ,,n bic h,sAA. A~l lA>s, -feo-
hers. She was sure there must be plenty
to do. for lawyers were always b0thering
her. bringing her some papers or other to
sign. But even il he kept on at his old bust.
ness. VIII ich had certainly been . good and
profitable one to him, well, it wasn't 80
dreadful after all ; and for the first time in
ten years Miss Elizabeth mentally suited
shoe leather without finding the odor disa.
greeable.
Then the thought darted across her mind
that perhaps Tom would never ask her
again. She n%ervously and hurriedly tried
to remember how he had taken her last re-
fusal. He certainly hadn't seemed crushed
by it, but perhaps . mar gets used to that
sort Of thing after awhile. She thought OF
tine first time. ten years ago. when he had
told her that he loved her, and she had de-
cIincd to take his honest. manly love. All.
he felt badly enough then, Miss Elizabeth
groaned.
Il wish. I wish that l had married him
them" she said to herself. Il would be a
happier and better today il / had"
Then she thought Of all the other times.
Sometimes he had asked her seriously, some
times almost As II it were q joke. This last
time, she remembered that his kind. good
face scarcely changed at all when she said:
mo. dear Ten. it can never be-" What il
he should never ask her again! But she re.
assured herself. OF course he would, why
il was a habit OF his that had almost become
And the very next time she would
well, she wasn't sure-but she might say
1t never occurred to her that it was rather
> selfish thing, to give him her hand now
because h was getting = little old and
aud needed him.
He came to see her a. soon as she came
home. and heard all about her visit and the |
wedding, listening with that look OF pleas |
are which his face always wore when she |
aiked TO him.
A he arose to 20 no said:
Elizabeth. we have . little girl, Q aort OF |
staying with Us. She is very young |
Ind shy, and I'm afraid she isn't having q |
'ery good time. May I bring her to see you. |
md will you help me tn make it pleasant for |
ler!
Certainly. Tom" said Elizabeth, era
:iously, ''let me help you all I car. I shall
'e very glad to do 20"
She thought afterward that il was lust |
ike Tom, 70 be thinking Of some ones
.lse pleasure. He brought the little cousin, |
pretty girl Of about eighteen, with q face
n innocent as q child. and soft, timid man. |
'ers, that won ones heart.
Miss Elizabeth invited her to dinner. shA
ave \ little party for her to introduce her
o the young people Of her own age, she |
ook her to drive n had her come and |
her music on her own grand piano. 1
The was very kind mi sweet TO her, and all
or Toms sake.
He has asked me to help him." she
bought ''and I will show him that ] can
i've my help freely and gladly"
The only trouble waa that she % seldom
aw Tom alone now, for Lucy VA nearly
lwavs with him. |
But never mind.' thought Miss Eliza
eth, 'ste will so home before long and
hen we will drop back into our old wayA"
One night, however. Tom came alone,
nd they sat By tho fire = they had done %
ften. She was . little stiff and formal In
er manners, for her thoughts about Tom
her conscious now that che va alone
nth him. She found il hard to be - easy
nd natural - she had always been. but he
id not seem 70 notice L.
Suddenly he reached over and took her
and. Every drop Of blood seemed 70 6y
rom Elizabeth's body. She was frightened,
he had not expected it 70 5000. She had
OF thought he would ask her again for two
: three months ct least but there was no
that loot and that dcen earnest
me. She had sccu and heard them too
item not 70 know what they mssnt nov.
Elizabeth" he said sjoWly, Il have
,methiuG that I want 70 say 70 you"
Her heart beat wiidl che nerved herself,
lore for her answer than for his question.
YEA" she thought ri shall tell him that
will marry him. Ian not afraid. I In on
hall b. vesy happy; how glad - will bew
''You have always been the best friend ]
ave had, Elizabeth" he went ~ '.you know
Ow ! have always low "a you. Years ego.
hen We wero both youneef, ! asked you IL
nu would marry ne. and ! hare aaked you
any times since. But you have always
wen me the sane answer. and - q I could
Ut have your love. I have peised your
'iendship above every thing. And this b
" reason that CONE 20 80. before any
else. to tel you that my htsls cousin
ucy has told meAsAas is-tAaa ~ ere en-
/
He squeezed Elinbeth's had, and LOOKED
her half hasAfally, WAiie his happiness
,0ue in his face.
For . moment the world grew basck and
ram dizxiiy 20 Elizabeth. Thea sAe rallied.
be IAwtou blood 81 which So W1s % )
loud didn'S run n Aer veins for soothing.