Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1889-11-15
DO LISTEN TO REASON,

DO LISTEN TO REASON.
Smoking TRANQUILITY in an easy chair one
evening in June. Major Hartweli was reused
from the deep and painful reverie into which
he had fallen by step in the hail and q
knock on his parlor door.
"Come!" he said. and smile lighted up
his grave. handsome face. for both step and
knock were familiar to him. and If there
was any man on earth whom he held near
and dear. that man was he who now en-
tered.
Il was beginning to wonder what had be-
come OF you, Arthur" stretching out a vel
coming hand. which Arthur Hazard took in
a warm grasp.
Il have been unusually busy" and Arthur
threw himself into chair. I've been get
ting ready to leave town for IL few weeks.
and haven't had time to even think of nv
friends"
Then you've come to say al yeuoir."
Yes; I'm off tomorrow by the early
train. wish you were going with me-,
Cyril"
Il can't leave the city now. Besides, I
shouldn't enjoy having nothing to do. I
haven't taken a vacation since left the
army. Where are you going?"
Buckingham County,"
Tho Major started and a shadow crept
| over his face-the shadow of q past sor-
row. tho memory of which was very painful
to him.
Il an gong to visit the big man of tho
pace-Squire Drayton,"' continued Arthur,
carelessly. i made his acqua ntance few
months ago by the merest accident. He
was pleased to take a fancy to me. and in
vited me to his place. Some one was tell
ing mo the other day that the Squire had
one of the prettiest daughters imaginable.
So you can prepare yourself for anything
,n fht,U n m yEnt, r ,ol-u
He paused. lau ching. and expecting some
facetious reply; but Major Hartwell was ST.
lent. The shadow had deepened on his face
into n look of pain.
What's the matter. Hartwcli? You look
as if you had seen ghost. Are you envying
me my good luck?"
No; I have no desire to go to Westholt
shall never go there again"
All! You have been there before me-.
them"
Yes; Twas once engaged to be married
to Lois Drayton.'
You were? Excuse me. Major. if had
known that would never have spoken as I
did; but no hint of anything of the sort had
ever reached me. Are you willing to tell me
about it,"
Yes; had I not been. would not
have mentioned it at oil. 1t isn't very
long story. but think it very unusual
one. met Lois Drayton when my regi-
lnent was stationed near Westholt. and we
me; nave never doubted that. though
what followed would have led almost any
man to believe her utterly wanting In any
thing approaching affection. We were to
be married on the 10th of October, and the
wedding was to be grand affair. All the
Drayton relatives far and near were invited,
and the Squire had prepared for bonfres,
fireworks and general enthusiasm. went
down to Westholt on the morning of the 9th
and had no fault to find with the welcome I
fran 1nic 7 hon hfT ho1
seen her in a happier mood and we had q
long talk about our future and made all
sorts of plans. which little thought were
never to be realized. We spent very
happy afternoon in the great. dusky parlor,
and after supper the Squire took me out for
a long walk. wishing to show me some inn
provements he had made in drainage and
parking. We left Lois in the hall, talking to
an old woman who had come to get some
medicine for sick child. I remember that
waved my hand to my little girl. thinking
how sweet and fair and gentle she looked
as she stood listening to the description OF
the child's illness! All. me! did not
dream that it was our last ,parting-that
was never to see her a'ain!"
Never to see her again." echoed Arthur
Hazard. as his friend paused.
No; I have never seen her since that
evening. When the Squire andI returned
to the house, couple OF hours later, we
medicine herselft to the child, and on reach
ing home again had retired at once to her
room. and had sent for her aunt Mrs. An
drews. who had taken the place of a mother
to her for many years. Mrs. Andrews
found her prone on 4, rug, her left hand
grasping it in her agony.
Gently raising her, Mrs Andrews endcaV-
ored to learn the cause of her pale and agi-
tated condition. but she would explain moth.
ing, simply stating that great sorrow had
h,,>l 70 hnS SLIM, vic G
said. to send a message to me. 1t was that
she absolutely refused to marry me. Yes
on the very eve of our wedding she haC
changed her mind. And she would give nc
reason for the change. nor would she con-
sent to see me. Her father and aunt rea-
soned and argued with her in vain. She
simply wept and maintained her mysterious
silence. And the end of it allwas that lof,
Westholt the next day. together with my
best man and the half-dozen bridesmaids
The affair created great deal OF gossip
but no one has ever been able to get to the
bottom OF it"
Perhaps Miss Drayton heard something
against YOU" suggested Hazard.
No; that question was asked hef' ana she
insisted that she had not:
And you do not think her merely ilckle =
-Iknow her too we'll to think that
And there was no other lover?"
No. She had other suitors. OF course
but i was the only one for whom she hae
expressed any regard.
And she has never given any eSplana''ol
of her singular action?'
Never. I see her father occasionally
and he has repeatedly assured me that Us sne
maintains her mysterious silence. IneJ
never mention my name to her now. ehs
requested them not TO do so.
Il wish. for your sake. l could ge1 al .ht
root OF tho matter. Major. Suppose Try
will have u good opportunity: you see. e.,
You can try. of course. Ihanh you ~ ~
your interest. But there Is no reason !,
think you will succeed. No; must Deal
my sorrow as best can. must not nope
for hope would end only in despair.
-, In the train the next day. on INC way th =,
Westholt. Arthur Hazard remembered .m'
story he had heard. and he 1elt grea
curiosity TO see the heroine OF SO peculiar
tale.
Squire Drayton was the richest lance, /,
proprietor in The large and fertile county ~ :.
which Westholt was situated. his nous
was handsome. rambling building; SUI o',
rounded by trees. and overlooking t .si1a.
tiul gardens. rich pastures. anu "ei'-''''0'
fields.
His family consisted Of his daugher Lol y
widowed sister. and q nephew the SUI
his only rother. Che xvas
Arthur liked Lois at once: sne VIZ. ~
refined. looking girl OF about t"en'y'A'