The DeSmet leader. (DeSmet, Kingsbury Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1890-05-10
FRANK VARNEY's CHOICE.

LII was uOb, uustyy hnu uncOmiOTbhDio,
and the spirits of the little operator
were ut the lowest ebky She was 90
tired Of it all, tired of the noise and con-
fusion, and the staring, unmannerly
crowd; tired even OF the ceaseless clat-
ter of the instruments that she had onco
thought 30 musical.
where are your blanks9" said q
CHEEKY, manly voice at the little reeeiy-
ing window. "Oh, beg pardon, here
they are| And then moment later
"Whst beastly pens you telegraph peo-
pie always havel Do you buy all the
defunct pens of the public schools for
the use Of your patronsP"
She raised her head i,npatiently, and
encountered q pair Of mischievous brown
eyes, that were regarding her with
rather a perplexed look.
As he met her eyes, he reddened Q
little, and said
"Can you send this message through
for me at once2"
Eyes, sir. Thank you!"
"A very warm day. Good afternoonIT r
The straw hat was lifted from his
brown curls for q moment; and then
after another prolonged stare he was
gone. 49,
Laura Arnold looked after him with
o tumult of pain in her heart. .
And il was thas they met after five
years of separation--tkey who had been
such friends in the old days. How silly
she had beento thiak Of him, and cherish
his fond. foolish, parting words, oil these
years. And now, when at last they
met, he had no word Of greeting for her,
only the careless courtsey CT o stranger.
She knew he had been successful, and
was eminent in his profession. Perhaps
he did not care H. recognise his old
playfellow, for life had not gone smooth
ly with her since they parted; and she
told herself proudly that she was glad
he had made no sign
II beg your pardon" said o voice at
her elbow; and she turned quickly "a
see him back again. "Surely cannot
be mistaken. II is Laura Arnoldi"
"Yes, it is Laura Arnold" she said.
as she put her hand in his. II am very
glad TO see you, DIR. Varney."
1T was Laura and Frank between
Us two, once upon time" he said,
holding the slim white hand closely in
his. "Ars You going to put me NJ
arms length because did not at once
recognize my little gypsy in the very
proper, not TO say stately, young lady
who looked ready TO snub me at the
slightest provocation?
Laura and Frank let IL be, then,
she said brightly. "But what has
brought you from homo this hot wealth!
er?"
"The medical convention and-other
business; but please may come inside,
and talk 10 You comfortably
"H you will make yourself as compact
as possible. This Office was not intend
ed for the accommodation Of people who
have six feet of perpendicularity TO dis
pose OF,
He came in and sat down opposite
her, watching her while she worked, and
making gay comments on the people az
they passed.
What o handsome, goodly face ii was,
and how heasant 10 have him there,
chatting oYthe old home and friends,
until she seemed TO smell the mignonette
in the old garden, and hear the babble
of the little stream in the meadow, where
they two had spent so many happy
hoursl"
''Do you know, he lid, as he watched
her pen glide swiftly over the paper,
''the telegraph has always been the
mystery Of mysteries TO me? / have not
much better idea OF il now than / had
when we pounded the poles, on our way
homo from school, 10 hear what was GO
ing on over the wires"
at is not hard 10 understand she
said, laughingly. What were you do
ing when you should have been study.
ing your philosophy snd familiar sci-
enoep You were always an idle boy"
II will be good, now have found my
little mentor again. he said, leaning
forward, with dangerous fascination
in the brown eyes. 81 wonder how I
have managed TO rub along all these
years without you"
II think you have borne up wonder
fully You don't seem 10 have peaked
and pined."
"Well, no--that il not in my line.
But that's more than can say for you,
Laura. Suppose we make q bargain
We will exchange trade secrets. You
shall explain this mystery ef the tele.
graph, Of which you are the high priest
ess, and I will tell you how TO get back
some of the old time roses in those pale
cheeks OF yours"
"Agreed' said Laura merrily.
"When shall we commence?"
eat once My first prescription il
that you shall go out with me for q
drive tomorrow morning"
THAT would be very pleasant !; but !
arr afraid 10 is not possible. must ba
here at eight o'clock
Certainly; and / will be Mt your
boarding house at six. We will have
two hours in the pleasantest part OF the
day, and ! win set you down here ai
eight o'clock"
'It would be very nice, said Laurs
wistfuHy.
''Of course il would, he said, rising
TO 90. and holding her hand fast: ..you
will come, Laura, for the sake OF Auld
Lang Syne?1
For the sake Of Auld Lang Syne,
then, she said, rising blushing dim
pied face and shining eyes to him, very
different from the woe -begone counte-
nance that had greeted him when he
come.
DR. Varney's handsome thorcughbreds
were at the door OF the shabby little
cottage whore Laura boarded punctual.
" at SIX the following morning, and sne
was waiting for him.
The prescription seemed 10 be work
ing wonders already. for certainly there
was no lack of roses in her bright face
in tho morning.
Whata pleasant drive ID was, ont Of
the smoke aud dust OF the iioisy town,
into the cool sweetness Of the country,