Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1893-03-16

Rrrchwood hills. and 1ingcd the vel
low oak boughS with living gold. as
Arthur Isle rode down the broad ave-
nue. which led from his stately old
home toward the village high road.
Standing on the vinc-Shatlcd pOrtico.
anxious expression in her loving eyes.
She was widow. and Arthur was her
only son.
Are you quite Sllrc, my boy. that
you have chosen wisely" she lad said
to him. as they parted
why. mother. to be sure" had been
his eager answer. Louise rs all that
heart can wiSh-relincd. accomplished,
and very beautiful"
And she loves YOU Arthur:'
SHE loves me. mother.
well. l hope You won't be disap-
pointed. my boy" She murmurcd, rs he
rode off. but have my fears
Meanwhile Arthur canlcrcu on his
way in high spirits. When he had per-
formed about half his journey, he
dropped the rcins upon his horses neck
ana fell into Il rcvrric. Presently he
drew a dainty little raSkrt from his
pocket. 1t contained an exquisite
ring. set with an immense fire opal
surrounded by pearls. The ring had
been in the l.iSlc family for ages. and
had always been presented us an ell
gag"m"nt ring To the fair and favored
woman who had won the hearts OF
the successive heirs Of Bccchwood
Ar'hurs father had given it to his
bride. and from his mothers hands
the son had received it as Il sacred mo-
mcntO, ana now he was taking it with
him to Talbot, to put it on me slim
finger of the lovely girl who had won
his heart. AS he turned it over in the
afternoon sunlight, his handsome eyes
grew tender, and his bearded lips
tremblcd like Il woman's.
Very brief and very bright was
Arthur I.islc's lo"c-story. Only Il few
months before. he had attended Il
country fair, which closed with Il
grand tournament There were hun
dredS OF daring young knights. who
riSkcd life and limb for the honor Of
browning the queen of love and beauty:
but Arthur LiSlc. the boldcSt rider in
all that country. outStrippcd them all,
and won the prize. This prize was L
lovely string Of pearls and Miss Louise
IIenolr the prclticSt girl in Talbot. was
the queen. The young master of Beech
wood went through the interesting
ceremony of browning 4lcr golden
tresscs with the starry chaplet. and in
doing SO. naturally enough, he lost his
heart.
Louise was his first love. and he
loved her blindly. He was utterly be-
Wilch"d by the delicate beauty Of her
primrose face and the azure brightness
OF her shy eyes. In one month after
their first meeting they were bctrothcd
lovers.
The rod fires Of sunset had burned
out. and the stars were out in thou
sands IN IN" misty autumn skies when
Arthur reached the small suburban
cottage i'll which the Lcnoirs lived
There Wrr" lights in the windows, and
the sound OF piano. accompanied by
sweet. girliSh voice. reached his ears
1t was Louise singing With IL fond
smile at the thought Of the little sur
his horse. and llnclOsing the little wick
ct, walked up the graveled walk toward
the door. But there. possessed by a
lovers within. he turned across the
grass plot and reached the drawing
room window. 1t was open, and he
had Il full view of the apartment.
Louise was at the piano. in her pretty
evening dress. with her golden hair
rinn1inp VIII f.. CHI D,,t
she was not alone. A young man Of
an excessively foppish appearance was
bending over her. and toying with her
curls. and Louise appeared to take his
familiarity in good part and ever and
anon gave him Il glance of bewitching
cOquetry.
Arthur Isle was terribly shocked;
lie turned short about. and. striding
back to the door. rang the bell and pre-
scented himself in a rather grave and
formal manner. But Louise received
him with shy. sweet surprise that
was irriSiStiblc: and the charm of her
beauty and vivacity soon banished his
jealous doubts. The foppish Individual
having vanished. he had his charmer all
to himself, and they wandered out
into the autumn moonlight hand in
hand.
Arthur took the little casket from his
pocket. and produced the ring. lie
put it on her finger. kissing the little
white hand rs he did So and entrea ting
her that the engagement should be q
brief one.
Pretty Louise listened. examining the
ring with critical eye and little
half-sigh of dissatisfaction
Very WELL" she said; I've no OBJ.
lection. and mamma doesn't Ike long
engagements.
Neither do l." cried Arthur. eagerly
"You can be ready in u month. | know
darling? / want you ut home before
Christmas"
Louise shrugged her white shoulders
and gave another little sigh.
How l do wish we might live in
the city, Arthur she said. ut mus,
be horribly stupid ut Beechwood."
WHY. my dear" cried the Young