Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1889-09-18
STELLA'S VOW.
The Story of q Faithful Woman's
Self-Sacrifce.

She looked so young, so happy, so
innocent. that he was conscious of a
chord somewhere about his heart that
had not vibrated for many a long day.
He. Graham Standish, was making an
afternoon call, and she, Stella Grey,
had just tripped into the room. MY
aunt begs you to excuse her for 81 mo-
ment," Stella said. 1--WE have just
come in, and she is taking her bonnet
Off"
Standish made q polite and appro-
pirate rejoinder. In his heart he
wished deyoutly that the moment
might be indefinitely prolonged. Il
need not ask if you enjoyed the dance
last night" he said, looking with in
creasing pleasure at the fair and cam
did face.
''Oh, so much, so much!' she re-
piled, with a pretty enthusiasm that
was absolutely unaffected. Her eyes
danced in the sunlight. that streamed
in at the ENTHUSIASTICALLY dark
ened rooms and cunning blinds and
rosy lights were not in vogue in this
house. Stella's skin was like a blush
rose, and. although she was not reg
ularly beautiful, there was something
graceful and bright about her which
made her more attractive than many
girls with greater claims to positive
beauty. Il love dancing, do not you?"
she asked, smiling radiantly at him.
IF Heaven were to be one long dance,
would be good all the rest of my life. ~
Il am sure you are good enough for
Heaven, whatever it may be" replied
Standish; and he spoke with such
gravity. and even intensity. that Stella
felt q little confused, and had to talk
rather fast to conceal her embarrass-
ment.
Il am not at all good. Quite the re-
verse Ask Aunt Marian!' she said
He looked at her with smiling in
credulity. She was like q white lily
10 him; like the down on q swan 8
breast; like snow fresh fallen on some
mountain. And yet Standish was a
thorough man Of the world; slkeptical
about religion, friendship. love and
women in general. But though he
had lived and had known almost every
phase Of society, he never said abso-
luteiy to himself or any one else, q
many younger.and less experienced Of
his fellows do: There is not such g
thing as a good woman" On the con.
trary. he had maintained, that this
rara avis does exist, but that the speci
mems are few, and, when found, to be
valued as pearls OF great price. He
was hard and stern, with an iron will
but he had a conviction that good
pure, loving woman could change al
f. the worst part of him. and inspire him
with deep love and tenderness. He
met Stella for the first time on the
previous night, and to-day, already
he felt she approached closely to his
ideal.
Il am sure you like dancing, too
because you dance so well," sale
Stella; and then she blushed a little a
having paid him compliment.
1T was yon who inspired me-" he
replied; and then, deeply to his chagrin
Aunt Marian came in. He had to con
troll his eyes now, and to talk all Sort
Of platitudes; but he went away happy
having won from Mrs. Grey promis.
that she. her husband, her son, ant
Stella would dine with him at Hurting
ham the following Saturday, and ALLOW
him to drive them down in his coach
When the door closed upon him, Stell;
waltzed madly round the room, finished
up BY embracing her aunt with a,
,ardor which made that amiable lad,
smile and ask if she was going out 0
her senses.
How utterly delightful! Whit /
nice, dear n1an!" Stella cried, and re
% sumed her gyyrations.
I'll believe he is rich and very vel