The Hot Springs star. (Hot Spings [Hot Springs], Dakota [Dakota Territory, i.e. S.D.]) 1886-189?, 1890-04-04
THE FOREIGNER.
ny LOUISE GREY STIFF.

IL 0Ay was dreary, desOlate n
drizzling, and / was weary, o so weary,
having devoted that whole miserable
day to performing q duty which, being
of an important character, could not be
postponed; it was my last shopping day
prior to the most eventful occasion of
my life-my marriage. My thoughts
were of my Romeo, who to me was
faultiess and, like the houses of Mon
tague and Capulet, ours was in close
proximity, which greatly facilitated our
love affairs.
AS I hurried from nj department to
another Of a large dry goods store, anx-
ious to finish my list of articles to he
purchased and go home, for night was
rapidly approaching, my attention was
attracted by o man who, evidently wait
ing for something, stood staring at me
with q boldness that I had never seen
equaled, and under which trying ordeal
l became SO embarrassed and uncom-
Portable I hardly knew what l was
about. Finally he received his parcel
and left the counter, and I then breathed
easy once more. But fancy my chagrin
on reaching the door to start home
ward, to see the same stranger waiting
there. His appearance was that of a
foreigner-tall, broad-sho,ldered, with
heavy brown beard, and a very strik-
ingly handsome a As I approached
his eyes were riveted upon me with a
sad, searching, inquiring expression
which savored not at all Of the "flirta-
tious glance"
I could not understand such seeming
holiness. / knew my plain face was
very unattractive at best, and particu-
larly so then, as I was tired and jaded.
After giving the stranger adreadfully
fierce look, which I felt confident would
Illustrate any impure motives he might
entertain, I hurried as fast as / could,
actually running, for it was growing
very dark, and an awful feeling Of fear
crept over me.
As I stood waiting for q street col,
trying to dismiss the bold foreigner from
my mind. persuading myself to believe
that in my tired, nervous condition !
had imagined his staring much worse
than it really was, / suddenly felt his
presence rather than saw him, for, without
turning around, I knew positively he
was standing by my side. 1 did moi
deign to look toward. him, and was fairly
trembling with fear. Soon, however, ]
felt deliverence was near, as I saw the
bright light of my car approaching.
But o, woe! The stranger also tool
the same . and seated himself oppo.
site me. I was now not only ill at ease,
but frightened in real earnest, for his
wild, set gaze, suggested insanity, and
I felt sure he was intending to murder
me. I felt safe enough while the ca,
was full Of passengers, and at eacl
street which the conductor called out,
I earnestly hoped he would leave the
car. But alasl one by one each occu.
pant stepped from the car until I wa.
left alone with what I now fully he.
lieved'to be . maniac.
realized I must be brave, and tried
to apper very unconcerned, though ]
was actually trembling like an ssper
Leaf, expecting any moment to see him
dy toward me, brandishing q knife or
revolver. Had he smiled, or in any
way led me TO believe he was trying &
get up . Irritation, I should simply have
regarded him with disgust, but common
sense told me that no sane man would
follow . girl for miles such 1
stormy night, without having
received IN. encouragement whatover
I could not credit the professional fir
With that amount Of perseverance, ani
lperG1teneys