Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1889-09-12
STELLA'S VOW.
The Story of Faithful Woman's
Self-Sacrifice.

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 mo-
ment," Stella said eve have just
come in, and she is taking her bonnet
off"
Standish made polite and appro-
pirate rejoinder. In his heart he
wished devoutly 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 can
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,
1 would be good all the rest of my life"
II 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 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 white lily
to him; like the down on a swans
mountain. And yet Standish was
thorough man of the world; skeptical
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, as
many younger and less experienced of
his fellows do: There is not such a
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 conviction that good,
pure, loving woman could change all
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 WE'LL" said
Stella; and then she blushed little at
having paid him a compliment
lit was you 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 sorts
of platitudes; but he went away happy,
having won from Mrs. Grey promise
that she. her husband, her son, and
Stella would dine with him at Hurling-
ham the following Saturday. and allow
him to drive them down in his coach.
When the door closed upon him, Stella
waltzed madly round the room. finished
up by embracing her aunt with an
ardor which made that amiable lady
smile and ask if she was going out Of
her senses.
..How utterly delightful! What u
nice, dear mani" Stella cried, and re-
sumed her gyrations.
81 believe he is rich and very well
connected" observed Mrs. Grey. who
was. what they say every good woman
is, a matchmaker She was quite
aware that her son Leo and Stella
fancied themselves in love with each
other, but that was, of course. ridicu-
lous, as neither had any money. She
tolerated the idea with perfect good
humor, but always had her eyes open
for a good match for either.
At dinner the Admiral Stolla's uncle.
and Leo were informed Of the invita-
ton, and received It with satisfaction.
His father and served together. :"
remarked the Admiral He 1as .