Sturgis advertiser. (Sturgis, Dakota [S.D.]) 1887-1???, 1890-07-17
HER MISFORTUNE.
By EVA RICHMOND.

bOlGOn BANK broke! LII can & be posi-
biei"
And Frederick Wells, who had been
reclining in one chair, with his feet
resting on the back of another, the very
picture of INDECENT enjoyment, sprang
to his feet, tipping over his chair, and
sending the cigar he was smoking to
the further end of the room.
Yes, it is; it is here in the paper, as
you can see for yourself. But what is
it to you? Did you have anything in
vested there?"
"No, but Miss Neal had, which
amounts to about the same thing"
An air of intense chagrin overspread
his handsome, though rather effeminate
features, as he read the paragraph to.
which his companion pointed.
"Confound it, he muttered, "It's al
ways my luck to have my dish tipped
just when it's full! Though must say,
if it's got to come, that I'm glad it hap
pened the month before our marriage"
Charles Hayden, young man whose
features, though less regularly formed,
were expressive of far more manliness
and goodness of heart, gazed at the
speaker with an air of undisguised as
constituent.
"Why so, Wells? you surely did not
seek the hand of Miss Neal simply for
her money!"
Well, no; [ can't say that. She is
most lovely and charming woman; and
it really cuts me to the heart to give her
up. But then / am too poor to afford
such a luxury. And Miss Neal can no
more afford to marry a poor man. So
we're about even."
"And you have no thought for the
pain that your desertion will infict upon
the heart you have won," said Hayden
in tone of suppressed Indignation.
Softly, my dear fellow" said Wells,
who had resumed his former comfort
able position, and was solacing himself
with fresh cigar. Il hardly think
that it will be any such desperate affair
to Miss Neal as you suppose. Indeed,
I've thought several times of late, that
had it not been for her foolishly hard
idea of the binding nature of such a
8 promise, she would have broken the en-
gagement herself
"And knowing this, you would have
held her to it's fulfillment."
"Not being sufficiently disinterested
to refuse the gift of O,OOO, rather
think / should"
You are not worthy of true-hearted
woman like Ellen Neal! !" was the indig-
nant response.
"Then so much the better for her,
that should leave her to he appropri-
ated by some one that is-yon, for in
stance. 1t strikes me that you used to
be somewhat interested in that quarter;
now is the time, old fellow, for you to
go in and win."
Charles Hayden scarcely felt or
heard the covert sheer in those words,
so much was he engrossed by the new
born hope that had sprung mp in his
heart, and which made its pulses beat
80 quickly and strongly.
$50 you are to be married next
month, my dear?" said Mr.. Thornly to
his ward, Ellen Neal.
= Yes, believe So" was the rather
Indifferent reply.
Mr.. Thornly studied his wards face
for moment with his keen eyes.
81 don't believe you care two straws
for Frederick Wells"
"Oh, not so bad as that, guardian"
said Ellen, with faint smile; though
/ have sometimes feared that T don't
give him the affection that he deserves.
He seems to be very strongly attacked
to me. ;"
@Humph! my opinion of Frederick
Wells is, that he is too much in love
with his own handsome face to be very
much attached to any woman"
You are too severe. Amy way, I
have promised, and cannot break my
word
"Oh, no, certainly not; far better
I break your heart.
II don't believe I've got any," was
the laughing rejoinder, IF have I've
never been able to discover it. Never
fear for me guardie; dare say shall
be as happy with Frederick as any one.
Yet in spite Of these lightly spoken
words, there rose up before her men
tai vision one with whom she knew she
could be far happier. But even if she
had been free to choose, how did she
H know that he would choose her? True
she had sometimes fancied, but what
right had she to indulge in such fancies ?
When Mr.. Thornly reached his
office he found Frederick Wells wait
sAhE5 w 800 AiAAAS WIZ 6tAAtA WAtAA bH UAi VI
constraint, not TO say embarrassment,
not at all remarkable, when we consider
the awkward errand on which he came.
It heard of Miss NesPs misfortune
last evening, sir, and assure you with
deep regret
Miss Meals misfortune? What the
deuce dye mean ?" said the old gentle
man, gruf1y, with whom the young
man was by no means favorite.
4Why, the failure of Bolton Bank to
be sure" Mr.. Wells responded quickly,
the suspicion entering his mind that
the shrewd old lawyer was trying TO
dodge the question.
oh, alb, yes, i think I do under
stand you. Well, what Of it
Only this, sir. that deeply as I re-
greet the necessity, the high regard
cherish for your ward, and the knowl-
edge that I shall be unable, at least
for some years, To offer her such home
as she il accustomed to and merits. de,
mands the sundering Of orr engage
sb naent