Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1889-11-29

of the girls to wait until "Ange got
chance"
Mot that ever expect to marry, y
she had added loftily, amid the obs ano
abs of her listeners; there's no mar
that walks good enough for me or any
other woman"
g Preparation for the reception of the
new minister made the orphan girls
wild project secondary theme, and nc
} one but Uncle John had the grace to
wish her good luck on her journey, and
he only found time to escort her to the
station to await the arrival of the train
which was to carry her among strang-
ers. Poor girl! Her heart almost
failed her that last minute, and q single
word of regret or kindly remonstrance
then from her aunt OF cousins would
have changed her plans and probably
the current of her whole life. ..
She did not find adding up long col
umns Of figures, multiplying and divid-
ing day after day in dingy Office, be-
hind n counter, such an elysium as she
had expected. 1t was pretty hard after
her hitherto untrammeled life, but
there was that most delicious flavor of
Independence about it which more than
compensated proud Kate. She was
bound to make the most of everything,
and quickly won her way into the hearts
Of all her co-laborers
you're regular bit of sunshine, Miss
Kate" said Mr.. Kerth one day. He
was the manager, white headed, mild
voiced and hammered old gentleman,
courteous to all, but rarely cordial.
Mrs. kerth says she can't get along
without you at our party and she don't
see how she managed before you came.
You know this time we can't play cards
or dance, for nephew is minister.
Come down early and help us out
That's 6 dear! Won't you now?"
Kate, nothing loath, for she loved
Mrs. kerth, and nowhere enjoyed her.
self so much as at that lady's pleasant
home, presented an early appearance
the night of the party.
The clergyman she met there must
have been the exception to the rule laid
down by Mr.. Kreth--at least Kate
didn't find this minister hard to enter
tain. He was so sympathetic, didn't
seem to think it incumbent upon him
to laugh at all she said, or to expect
her to be gay all the time as many of
the young mon with whom she had met
recently did. In fact she soon felt that
she had known him all her life, and
contided in him her impressions and
ambitions much the same as she was
used to do to dear old Uncle John.
"No, I don't like the great big city,"
she said to him with an emphatic
shake of the little head that throw her
gold brown tresses into q futter of bur-
nishel light we'll calculated to ensnare
unsuspicious hearts. "There's so much
misery-so little thought one for
another-no golden rule at all. Oh, I
long for the wide, wide prairies, just to
see all of Gods blue sky that my Wis
ion will take in at glance, without the
detracting noise of the city about me.
What comfort it was to Kate to say
this. Size hadn't dared to express such
a rebellious thought to her city friends,
not even to kind, good Mrs. Kerth, and
wouldn't have for all the world written
them home.
"I'm afraid I am very hard to please"
she added, contritely. II don't like
Mansfield where I've lived all my life
and don't like it here. 1 tell YOU 1
would like to live in one of the lovely
suburbs though. hope may some
time"
Her companion had started visibly at
the mention of Mansfield and as soon as
there was an opportunity he queried:
"You speak Of Mansfield. Do you
mean Mansfield, Dakota?"
"Yes. sir. Have you ever been there? %
Oh, l know! You're the new minister.
[ thought your name sounded familiar.
Oh, I'm so glad to see you'll" and with
sudden impulse of welcome that comes
only to one i'll strange land when
memories of home are unexpectedly
stirred in the heart, Kate held out her
hand to Rev. Barrette. What strong
hand it was, and yet as soft and fair as a
hand might be. Arthur Barrette re-
marked it to himself and never forgot
the thrill that first handclasp with Miss
Travers gave him.
He had not once thought of connect
ing Miss Travers the cherished friend
of his highly honored lady aunt with
the hoydenish Kate Travers of whom
he had often heard in Mansfield and in
whom he expected to see an untamed
child with frecklcd face and red hair.
AS his companion asked eagerly after
each of the household at home with
many loving words Of praise for them
all, and wanted to know about old