The Sully County watchman. (Clifton, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1894, 1891-12-12

sweet, ulc ueWurops SllOne on the IlaSS-lt
was the fairest hour of natures fair day.
Pauline had gone to the open window.
Something had made her restless and un-
quiet; but, standing there, :,ie spell of that
beautiful moonlight scene calmed her. and
held her fast. With one look at that won
de.ful sky and its myriad stars. one at the
soft moonlight and the white lilies. the fever
OF life died from her, and a holy calm. sweet
iancies, bright thoughts, swept over her like
an angels wing.
Then she became conscious of stir in the
pertumed air; something less agreeable
mingled with the fragrance Of the lilies
some scent of which she did not know the
name, but which she disiked ever aftcrward
because the captain used it. A low voice
that would fain be tender murmured some
thing in her ear; the spell of the moonlight
was gone, the quickly thronging poetical
fancics had all fed away, the beauty seemed
to have left even the sleeping flowers. Turn
ing round to him, she said, i'm clear voice.
every word sounding distinctly:
Have the goodness, Captain Langton. not
to startle me again. do not like any one to
come upon me in that unexpected manner" :"
Il was 50 happy to find YOU alone" he
whispered.
Il do not know why that should make YOU
happy. always behave much better when
| am with Miss Hastings than when am
alone.'
Iou are always charming" he said. ~
want to ask you something, Miss Darrell. Be
kind, be patient and listen to me.'
II am neither kind nor patient by nature"
she returned; what have you to Saym'
1t was very difficult. he felt to be senti-
mental with her. She had turned to the
window, and was looking out again at the
flowers; one little white hand played impa-
ticntly with n branch of guelder roses that
came pecping in.
Il am jealous of those flowers" said the
captain; will you look at me instead OF
them?'
She raised her beautiful eyes, and looked
at him so calmly, with so much conscious
superiority in her manner, tha: The cap;ai.,
felt smaller than ever
you are r,.,0- n3asr.I~c to me- she
said, loftily; "tui - | go l.nt like NONSENSE,
will you tell me what YOU have to say?"
The voice was calm and cold. the tones
measured and slightly contemptuouS: it was
very diiilcul u.. r such circumstances To b,.
an eloquent wooer, hut the recollection Of
Darrell Court and its large rent-roIl came to
him and restored his fast expirIg courage.
Il want to ask favor of you," he said;
and the pleading expression that he manag-
ed to throw int" his fane was really credit
able to him. Il want 10 ask you II you will
be little kinder to me. | adalire you SO
much that should be the happiest man in
all the world il you would but give me ever
so little of your friendship"
She seemed TO consider his wordS-to pom
der them; and from her silence he took hope
ii am quite unworthy. | know: but. if YOU
knew how all my life long have desired the
friendship of a good and noble woman YOU
would be- kinder TO me-yOu would indeedn
DO You think, then, that | am good and
nohler' she asked
Il am sure OF it; your face"
Il wish, she interrupted. "that Sir OS-
wald were of your opinion. You have lived
i'll what people call the world all your life,
Captain LanG'un, suppose"
Yes, he replied wondering what would
follow.
You have been in society ali that time yet
am the first good and noble woman YOU
have met. GOu are hardly complimentary
to the sex, after all"
The captain was slightly taken aback.
Il did not say those exact words. Miss Dar-
rell."
"But you implied them. Tell me why you
wish for my friendship more than any other.
Miss Hastings is ten thousand times more
cstimable than | am-why not make her your
frendm'
Il admire you'll like YOU. | could say
more, but dare not You are hard upon
me, Miss Darrell"
II have no wish to be hard" size returned.
( 4 La, \ 1 IL, 4
one" But, you see, am unfortunately what
people call very in-spoken-very truth
full
so much the better" said Captain Lang
tom.
rs 1t? Sir Oswald says not If he does
not make me his hciress, ii will be because
have such an abrupt manner of speaking; he
often tells me So
Truth in n beautiful woman" began the
captain, Sentimentally; but Miss Darrell
again interrupted him-she had little patience
with his plaitudes.
"You say YOU wish for my friendship be-
cause You like me. Now, here is the diff
cuIty-I cannot give it to you, because / do
not like you."
You do moi like mc?' cried the captain.
hardly able 10 believe the evidence of his |
own senses. You cannot mean ii! You
are the first person who ever said such q
thingr
Perhaps ! am not the first who ever
thought it; h"t then. rs tell you, am very
apt To say what think"
"Will you tell me why you do not like |
me" asked t,.r captain, quietly. He began |
Ia ste that nu.Aing could be gained in any
other fashion.
Her beautiful face WAS raised quite calmly !
to his, her d2r,; eyes We're ~ proudly serene |
rs ever she WAS utterly unconscious that she |
was saying GH"thing extraordinary.
Il VIII tell Nou with pleasure, she replied. !
You seem la me wanting in truth and earn |
You t..nk people are to be pleased |
BY ilattcry. ) ,.l llattcr Sir Oswald, YOU flat /
Ter Miss Hastings, you ilatter me. Being !
agreeable Is n, very well, but an honest man |
ioes not nee Ia ilatter-toes not think of il, .
N fact Then. YOU are either needless or
'ruel-l do not know which. Why should |
sou kill that beautiful flower that Heaven |
made to enjoy the sunshine, just fer one idle |
moments wanton sr0u?'
Captain Langton's face grew perfectly |
white with anger.