Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1891-05-01

-- years VOYAGE to
--@S the South Pacific.
ooh, Frank, /
emit let you go" and the poor mother,
clasping him convulsively, weeps upon
bis shoulder.
Don't cry. little mother, he says,
gently, "the time will soon pass and [
won't go again.
"Oh, 1t is so hard to give you up,
she sobs.
BE brave, mother DEAR" he says,
soothingly.
II will try. Good-by, Frank. my boy.
and God protect and bring you. home
again.
"One long, lingering kiss, one deep
look into her face. as if to keep it in
memory forever, and the door opened
and closed. The weeping mother was
alone
She stepped to the window and
through her tears watched him down
the howerbordered path to the gate,
saw him turn up the road, and he was
lost to her view.
Frank Thompson, for that was the
young mans name, walked rapidly on
for some distance, then stopped before
little cottage, stepped to the door and
knocked. The door was opened by a
dark-eyed, dark-haired girl, sweet Of
face and fair of form.
Nellie" he said, stopping inside,
I'm going. The Flora May sails to-
night. I've come to say goodbye"
Tonight! So soon?"
"Yes, tonight. Can't you give me
that little word that will make me happy
in spite of parting?"
She took one step toward him and
then stopped.
Are you sure you wantit?" she said.
Am l sure! How can YOU ask?
Have / not told you again and again
that l love you? You are almost
cruel"
please don't think that of me. I
don't want to be cruel"
"Why are you then? Don't be so
any more. Don't you love me at all 2"
For an answer she put both her hands
into his and said earnestly, with averted
lace
"Yes, Frank, do love YOU dearly"
In all instant, i'll the fullness of his
great joy, Frank strained her to his
breast and covered her blushing face
with kisses.
81 will be long gone," he said, at
length, but, Nellie, be true and I'll
come back.
Il will be tue, Frank"
Say once more you love me"
II love you, Frank"
Good bye, my darling, be true"
Good bye, Frank"
Only one more kiss, and he was gone
Two years have gone by. Several
letters have been received by both
mother and sweetheart. The last one
was very short, but it brought great
joy, for it said that having had pros
porous voyage the "Flora MAY" was
homeward bound. Then followed anx-
ious months of silence. Then came
another letter, written by stranger.
saying the Flora May" had been lost
with all on board.
Seven years more have passed. No
word has come from Frank, and he has
long been given up as lost. The
mother is now stopped with age and
grief Her hair, black when Frank
left home, is now white. She seldom
smiles, and never speaks of her lost
boy. Yet William, Franks younger
brother, has often seen tears glistening
in his mothers time-dimmed eyes and
trucking down her careworn face, tell
ing of her grief far more eloquently
than words.
It is June evening. The fragrant
balm Of early summer loads the air.
William has strayed down to the home
OF his brothers sweetheart, Nellie, and
together they stand at the open gate.
Nellie" ne says, earnestly, "why
wait longer? We are passing our
youth. Seven years have fled and no
word from Frank. Be my wife.
Mother needs you; 1 need you. Saw
yes, darling" and he attempts to take
her hand
stop, WILL" she said, franks last
word was be true, and, oh, Ican't give
him up yet
when will you? In month-six
months-a year? Will you be my wife
in one year if Frank doesn't come
home?"
Eyes, in one year. But until then no
word of love must pass between us.
Then I will Le your wife-if Frank
doesn't come llome."
Her voice lrembled on the last words
and her eyes grew dim with tears as she
babe him good night.