Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1889-08-30
E NININE STRATEGY.
CHAPTER l..

ENININE STRATEGY.
CHAPTER L.
be- had been telling her all he had to tell.
now she stood there quite still. neither
wo,,! nor glance youchsaiins the answer
mast know the best or the worst.
rstine, he whispered. Speak to me,
ling.
[Ie started violently, and vivid color
sbe,, 10 her checks. Her broad garden
MD that, but it could not shut out the
which died away in a low, half sob.
am sorry if give you pain. she said.
Elg, so softly that the words came ali
81 in Il murmur, but can not be your
unlerstand," with short. hard laugh;
(u Will not. Pray, be frank"
II til she silently rem owed Fer glove and
one little finger was encircled by heavy
ii gold.
blarrled:"
ut vet. And Miss Illerton's voice grew
her now Il am engaged to Arthur
Yer"
er companion was tall. dark man.
III il s>nturnt lace and II heavy mustache
honest brown eyes. evidently not the
10 b. easily overcoms by any passing
ption yet now he fnirly staggered be-
tn the blow her words had dealt: so
e4 he spoke again it was with Il calm
peration.
Forgive me-" said he; 4 havo had SO
kyhopes that"
sydid you not write to me?" she inter-
led, turnng upon him sharply.
waited to tell yOu | wa, II fool, that is
l., us have dono with folly" COM
iced Christ ne, almost YEARLY. Then.
Il sudden. passionate outburst-"Ah!
need you have done this? Could you
see? could you not unde stand?"
ow he caught her outstretched hands.
holding her in his arms. pressed
close upon his breast. For one little
hent the poor lips quivered beneath
P, adroitly freeing herself, she said but
Eo now, Ralph"
Christine"
20" she Icpeated; 1T is too late; UNDER
"a me-too late! I shall marry Arthur
FER. and would not do otherwise now,
iii could"
nd SO. quitting the deep shadow of the
ows. never looking back, Miss Illerton
iel down the garden path. her dainty
tie gown futtering in the morning
eze, her whittier face hard and fixed and
(ngely stern.
pme one met her as she crossed the
'here is Mr.. Gresham, Christine?"
Zone"
re you i'll. dear?"
No; | Will be down presently, Clara"
SIM on quickly.
his abruptness would have offended al
any other woman, but Clara Volney,
A. unlike almost any other woman,
lI!y turned away, IL panied pitifulness
!y read in the troubled glance of her
eyes.
he stood leaning against the doorway.
a little tinge of color in her cheeks,
Gender little fingers mechanically
fading an upruly yellow curl, when Miss
ION sharply called to her from the gal
above.
aru"
IS, dear"
want YOU.
pelient Clara was presently in her
slhs chamber, listening to a half con-
F!2N born OF lf-rebuke and wild
fAng for some word of tender consola-
Ne have no secrets from each other,
We, Clara?" commenced Miss Illerton,
10, none"
rom the time-so long ago!-when my
father died-from the moment when
ut your hand in mine, and babe us love
oener, not as cousins only but as
rs y, dear, have ever, by word or decd,
Aat last counsel to shame, Clara?"
Never, Christine"
Ank again"
Never" reiterated the girl.
is false!" cried Miss Illerton. her
Gig ablaze now; Il have wronged you
foolish silence: have insulted the
ey willful disobedience: In mounting
~ acted like q sister: a sister would
gone to you and said: Clara. have
asised to be Arthur Covers wife; this
wear is the token of love; l am
W share my content That is what q
a. q, would have done-what I should
done; is it not?"
s!lnur Gower?"
a:. Hush had quite faded from Clara's
emotion Of surprise or JOY, or maybe
rs, Went on Christine. never needing
a'4 come but lph Gresham. and-he
Te me-; Clara"
D W. 1t is too late" said Miss Illerton.
NJ III undertone.
H sjn . did you tell him." asked her
MI NIL eagerly.
"aa' | have told you-that it was too
sila that would not. even if could"
pG IKE very slowly. marking each word
j jraa lingering emphasis; then. as the last
Oh f0" iler lips she started up with q merry
wsr, Just think of it, Clara-Arthur
'V1, Did tell you what he said? Lis
b iI was the drollest wooing! He took
pe -ah \ and slipped that ring upon my
k a,. l knew then what was coming. and
vrp Yer, Very still. Christine said he. it
sn paTents' wish. you remember. that
Iould be my wife-will you consent?'
h. 'uhsented. of course. So. there,
a mat troublesome affair is arranged,
sa sal. 10 marry him. and For heav-
les me- "as, Clara. open that window! one
si,s s"me and stood by her cousin. and
Eth 'l Hs the two looked out upon the
re An n rand where the fat brown tracts
Y M cut by low fences, and then be-
I'd ar p1i - me dark belt OF woods. now soft
ts., "a 11I1iiadowed by the purple haze OF