Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1890-05-16
He was punctual to his word. The

"Oh, 1t you please, sir, l. don't THINK
your order is finished yet" said she.
Master he's been havin' q turn of de.
lerium tremenders, and misses she's in
the back room a-cryin' her eyes out"
What brute" cried out the Major,
enthusiastically.
"You may we'll say that, sir" faltered
the maiden, with her apron to her eyes.
"And misses born and bred q lady too!
and only driven to lace mendin' through
masters losing every thing at the
gamblin' table! Oh, I'd like to give
his windripe a good ~squeeze-that
would"
And the damsel bounced out of the
room to inform her mistress.
Mrs. Markham's eyes-those blue,
dove like orbs-were red and swollen
when she entered, but her manner was
as calm and imperial as ever, as she
apologlzed for not being able to keep
her appointment.
A few gentle and sympathetic words
from the Major broke down her guard
of assumed composure almost i'm
mediately
Il ought not to bore strangers with
! my troubles!" she murmured. through
her tears. But you are so kind, and
it is so hard to bear everything by
oneself!"
Somehow, when Kari Elford went
away, he felt quite we'll acquainted
with Mrs. Markham.
He brought some more old lace for
her to mend, the next day lace that
he had begged from Aunt Abby's san
dal-wood scented bureau drawers-and
two or three days afterward he called
for Miss Harrington's Florence lace.
Mrs. Markham produced it, but not
without conscious triumph.
1t was like magic. No break, no zig
gag seams-all one smooth surface of
snowy leaf and blossom.
"It's worth the money" said Major
Elford, as he paid the ten dollars.
Helen Markham's statuesque face
lighted up. 1t was pleasant to have
her sednlous labors appreciated.
SO matters went on, until some month
or two afterward, Karl Elford went
home, and took himself to task Sc
riously.
old fellow" said he, addressing his
reflection in the glass, Sthis won't do!
This must be put a stop to! It isn't
your style to fall in love with another
mans wife! She is as beautiful as an
angel, and she's as good as she is beau
tiful-but you've just got to keep away"
He kept away a week, and at the end
o. that time he called, Gust to see how
she was getting along"
She looked n~iteous1v at him
Il feared you had forgotten me-" she
said, in that sad, little minor voice of
hers. Il have been very lonely. Mr..
Markham (Karl noticed that she never
called him my husband as did other
wives) has been very trying, and"
Here she broke into a flood of tears.
"Helen!" cried out Major Elford, do
not weep like that! 1t breaks my very
heart! You know why l do not come
%oftener. 1t is because dare not bring
myself within the charmed atmosphere
OF your eyes-your voice! Helen, it is
because l am falling in love with an
other mans wife!"
She looked at him with eyes of gilt
tering, questioning light.
But l am not another mans wife!"
0 are MIS-. Markham!N
Il am Mrs. Markham, but nv hus-
band has lain in his grave these five
long, weary years. While he lived, /
wanted for nothing" she added. with q
culver in her voice.
And this man here?"
lis Leonard Markham, his poor, in
temperate father, and M father-in-
law"
Karl Elford started to his feet with
eager, sparkling eyes.
Then, Helen, you are free to love
and wed again?'
Il am free"
Helen, will you be nv wife? l
would have asked the question long
ago, had / dared. 1 ask it now, deeply
conscious OF my unworthiness, and your
peerless value! Will you be my wife?"
Aud Helen Markham confessed, with
tears, that her heart was long ago given
in the keeping Of the tall young officer.
When Miss Harrington returned from
Philadelphia, two things astonished
her very much. One was that the hole
in her lace iounce had disappeared as
entirely as if it never had any being
the other was the news of Major Ell
ford's engagement to a young widow.
Helen Markham? never heard of
her!!" said Miss Harrington, scornfully.
She can't be in society! But that
Major Elford always was eccentric!
People did talk, at one time, about his
paying me particular attention; but of
course l should have accepted
hint"
And when Miss Esther discoursed
thus, people thought instinctively of the
fable Of the sour grapes.
Why 1900 Will Not Be a Leap Year.
The question is often asked: "Will