Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1889-01-04

q tent. where they cculd see Une clear
sparkling waters Of the lake glittering
and flashing ill the silvery moonlight.
Blair withdrew the gaze Of his dark
eyes from watching the moons track. to
stare incredulonsly at Mrs. Langdon.
MY dear woman.' he began, u care
no more for Victoria Mead than I do
for last years birds nest. She is beau
tiful to look upon. but a marble GODDESS
In the park has as much show for being
sought after for wife. The statue
eyinccs about as much interest in lite as
she does.
She is rich. young, and beautiful,
The things that might justify any man
i'll choosing her for a wife.
"She will be married for her money,
if at all. You may depend upon it. Now,
Mrs. Langlon, an heartily sick OF this
matter. and I do not think Miss Mead
would enjoy knowing she was the
subject of our talk. Let us talk of
something else, or not at all.
Mrs. Langdon chose to take ofense
at his words and tone, and left him
abruptly. For the rest of their sojourn
in the woods he LETT Women-kind Sc
verely alone. and passed much of the
time hunting: fishing, and boating. He
did not sec Victoria Mead for two
weeks. and understood she was quite
ill.,
He felt great pity for the poor girl,
who had all the good things of this
world, hat who lacked the one thing es-
sential to their enjoyment, health. He
called at the tent every day to ask Mrs.
Howe about her, and usually left a
spray OF beautiful flowers, Or bit Of
choice game for the invalid.
The day before they broke camp he
saw the girl once more. She was sit
ting upon q grassy bank close to the
waters edge, but at some distance from
her tent. He was passing with CHEEKY
greeting, when her voice which was
singularly sweet, arrested him.
will you please tell Mrs. Howe to
come for me. L have foolishly walked
too far. and am not equal to returning
alone"
Pray. let he assist you, said Blair,
cordially depositing his game and game
bag at the foot OF tree, Il am far
stronger than Mrs Howe, and Just as
willing to be OF assistance"
ooh, no, she began. her beautiful
wan face flushing scarlet.
"Oh. YES he retorted, coming to her
side
She said no more, but he could
see she shranll from his touch. and it
puzzled HIM exceedingly. He was q
favorite with women. because he treated
them all with beautiful courtesy. He
had had to do only with good, true wo-
man all his life. His faith and respect
for them we're boundless, because, oh,
reader, he had had q perfect mother, and
no sisters So. favorite as he was. he
could NOT understand why Victoria
Mead should flush and tremble at his
touch: but he was to understand il all
one day.
After his return to the city Blair
went at once to England on business,
and did not return until the following
March. He paused only few days in
New York on returning, then started
for his mothers home i'll Buffalo.
1t was at junction while waiting for
train that he again saw Victoria. At
first he could scarcely believe his eyes,
she was so changed She was little
like the listless lifeless girl he had
likened to marble statue.
She Was evidently waiting for the
train. like himself. and was walking up
and down the long platform, laughing
and chatting sayly with girl of about
her own age. Her cheeks glowed
in the keen frosty air. Her eyes sparkled
with merrment, while her step was
light and free. little like the SLOW. Ian
guild walk he remembered. He watched
her while in admiring. fascinated 81
le1,e, then went forward to greet her.
A painful flush s,lflsed her face as
she recognized him. and it almost
seemed for a moment as if she was in
cGned to run away. She conquered her
embarrassment, however. and returned
his greeting. Then she presented her
companion: and the three resumed the
interrupted promenade. He found her
changed in every respect, and there was
a sparkle i'll her conversation that de-
lighted him.
BY the time the long-delayed train
rolled into the depot Blair was hope
iessly IN love. Imagine his joy when
he found their route was the same as
far as he was going. She was
on her way to Chicago in COM
pany with an uncle, and Blair
bade her goodbye at Buffalo with I'M
feisncd regret. After she was lost to
his sight he could think of nothing else.
Ilo" tie girl had changed. He could
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