Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1892-03-31
No One Would Know.

4 Mary Standish had been for two
years "out in society in Cragburgh,
and had not as yet had an admirer.
She was a very quiet. modestgirl, but
she was secretly chagrined at this
fact, especially as the other girls COM
mented on it. and wondered in their
vernacular why she did not, with her
good looks, 'catch a beau"
Lucy Smith had been engaged twice.
Floy Jackson was flirting with the
young doctor, the druggist and the
two railway clerks.
"You are too print" they told
Mary. "The men are afraid of you.
They won't even call. You must try
and catch one this winter. Have
some fun in your life."
"You are not husband hunter"
her mother said Indignantly. "You
must be sought, not seek. Remain
your modest self. You want happi-
ness in your life, not vulgar fun"
Soon after this Mr.. Appleton, the
new minister, called once or twice. Her
mother saw that he was attracted by
Mary's gentle manner, but said moth.
ing.
About this time Mary went alone to
visit q friend in Chicago. 1t was a long
journey; she grew tired OF residing: she
knew no one on the car. Ahandsome
young man, q brakeman, passed her
once or twice, eying her admirinplv.
Her cheeks flushed.
why should not have aflirtation
with hlm-iust a little fun" she
thought. Nobody knows me here.
III do it!''
He passed down the car again, with
the same bold, admiring gaze.
Mary glanced up shyly. "Can Won
tell me the timer" She said. He pull.
out his watch, and with q confident
smile dropped into thevacant seat be-
side her and began to talk Familiarity.
The young woman was ready for q
tirtation7 So was he.
Mary 8 face Redeemed angrily.
And yet-thls was fun" such as
the girls had; it had, too, the keen
zest OF adventure. She would Ii ave
the car soon, and no human being
ever would know.
The other passengers, who had
observed the modest, refined girl.
looked with surprise at her familiar
coquetry with that coarse fellow.
When the brakeman went out to at
tend to his work, man sitting near
her, who had been drinking heavily,
leaned over and said:
"1'll take that seat and make nv
self agreeable while he's gone"
Mary drew herself up haughtily, her
heart throbbing with terror.
He laughed loudly. "Sho, nowlyou
know me as we'll as you do that
fellowW
But the brakeman had returned,
and dropped into the seat again with
q laugh. "He's jealous of nv chance
with seche q pretty girl as you'll" he
said, throwing his arm over the back
OF the seat.
Mary glanced around. The passen-
gers averted Their eyes from her with
unconcealed disgust.
"You amt gettln' tired of me, are
your" asked the brakeman.
ooh no." size sad, trying to laugh.
Was this rot the "fun" she had long
ed for? The mans look of admira
ton seemed to burn into her face.
"Miss Standish!" said voice be.
hind hel.
She turned. 1t was Mr.. Appleton;
he was cooking at her in amazement.
She had met him but twice, and vet it
seemed to her this was the one human
being tor whose good opinion she car.
ed.
The brakeman rose. "Guess Pm cut
out. fatal"
The drunken man laughed jeeringly.
Mr.. Appleton did not take the va.
cant seat. He stood beside her grave
w until the train rolled into the sta
ton, called cab, placed her in it, and
bade her good-by.
Several months afterward her moth.
er said, {" Mr.. Appleton seemed to like
to visit here when he first came. He
never calls now. l wonder why7"
Mary did not answer. She knew.
She had chosen her "fun," and was
now paying the price.