The Sully County watchman. (Clifton, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1894, 1891-11-28

put on his hat again and turned to 90,
then came back as II urged by sudden
impulse, and kissed me-
'Wish me luck. little sisterr' he said.
81 am going to ask Amy to be my Wife"
The next moment he was gone.
Dolly Devay may write Yes or Mo-
II makes no difference now" said to my.
self, with feeling of relief: and | went
on musing and thinking about him till
the sound of horses hoofs outside reused
me.
Thinking II was George, I ran out at
once, and found the postman In front Of
the house, with letter for George from
England.
II have one for your brother. too" said
the man. "They told me mt wymaring
that he was here, so thought might as
well bring it on. Some people are in such
n hurry 'or bit OF news from the old
country"
| thanked him. and. taking the letter,
glanced at the address; il was written in a
woman's hand, and felt certain it was
the reply had been expecting so anx-
| iously What would happen IL Leo re-
ceived two promises of marriage on the
same day,
I To read this letter before he said ANYTHING
To Amy. so blew as loudly as I could
| whistle George had given me to call him
with-I could never manage the Austral-
| ian ''cooey"
! Leo came almost directly-he could not
have been far away.
"Ths is 100 bad. Maryl'' he said ~
| should not have come but that thought
you must be attacked by bushrangers or
have set the house on fire. You have just
| spoilt it,"
| did not answer him, but put the letter
| into his hand. He tore open the envelope,
unfolded the paper inside, and glanced
| down Il, his face flushing crimson and
then turning deathIy pale as he did so.
Good heavens" he gasped Dolly is on
| her way out To marry me! Oh, Mary, what
| can do?"
What have YOU said to Amy?" asked.
"Nothing | was just about to ask her
| to be my wife, when heard your whistle,
| aud | came at once. | was sure something
must have happened but oh, Mary, did
| not expect this What "A fool have been
| to think could never love girl more
than did Dolly Dcyay! Lovei did not
know what love was"' and he began pac.
ing to aud fro cXcitedly.
| could see Amy coming towards the
| house 10 learn what was the matter, and
motioned To her To keep away. She cvi
| IDENTIFY thought we were discussing "A Sc
| cret, as indeed we were. for she laughed
| and turned back
May ! read the letters | asked.
Leo was holding it crumpled up in Ais
| cienehed hand, but gave il In me at once.
1t was "A sweet little letter Dolly had
always loved him. she said, ever since she
had known him; but. when he left Eng
| land without speaking, she was afraid his
feeling toward her was only one of friend
ship: she did not know how molly he had
| determined To make home before asking
her To- be his wife; and so on-very prettily
put indeed. Dolly concluded bv saying
that she would arrive at Brisbane about "a
| week after her letter
There is only one thing you can do,
Leo" said,
YES, | know that" he answered, quite
calmly. and will do il. But, oh. Mary,
1t is Il hard Judgment On my madness
Good byer' and. taking up his hat, he
went out to saddle his horse, and in a few
minutes was galloping towards Wymuring
without having bid dden Amy farewell.
The poor girl, when she came in little
later, seemed much surprised to hear that
he was gone: but she was more surprised
when four days went by and Leo neither
came nor sent any message. She persuad'
ed George to ride over and see IL he was
i'll. Leo sent buck word that he was
quite well, but very busy, and was just
starting for Brisbane; he also forwarded
me n note Mt the same time, in which he
said
DEAR MARY have not asked you TO
accompany me. as want you To stay and
prepare Amy for the news. | am afraid
she loves me. Try TO break IL To her gent
IL for the sake OF your broken hearted
brother, LEO.
That did not read well from bride.
groom going to meet his bride, | thought
~ | burnt the note.
There was not much doubt about Amy's
love. The little artifices with which she
would lead me to talk Of Leo were charm
ing and heart-rending felt that never
coaid tell her that my brother would coms
back from Brisbane married man.
warded of the evil moment as long az
could. Three days went by, and then
dared linger no longer. / did not know
how soon Leo might return; and, il Amy
were not told, / felt that his coming back
with his bride would kill her. On the
evening OF the third day | asked her to
come for n stroll with me along the bride
path where we had first met, so long ago
Ii seemed now. We walked along In sill
ence for was wondering how to begin
my story; and Amy must have been think.
ing Of Leo for when she spoke 1t was
about him.
What was 1t you were talking about"
she asked, ION that evening just before
Leo went away so suddeniy"
at was n letter he had received from
England" answered, and then paused.
Oh, what task Leo had given met How
could perform It, THAT is what has
taken him to Brisbane" went on. won
dering what | should say next. "The let
ter was sent by young lady whom we
used to know In England"
glanced at Amy's face to see how was
getting on, but she was not listening te
what said
"Harkr she exclaimed. suddenly stand
ing still: "there is horse galloping home
, Perhaps it is your brother"