Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1893-07-29

now, nothing but q fook Of geese which are
walking about In search OF their dinner. III
Is very shady here and then stiles are roman.
tic places TO sit OH especially when shaded
by great heavy oak trees.
But Eleanor Is not doomed to solitude. lie,
OF whom she has been thinking all this
bright, warm day, Is coming, not with any
apparent haste, towards her. His hat Is wei
pushed over his eyes, his hands thrust into
his pockets, aud he has rather u hang.d0g
look about him, nor Is his frame OF mind Q
very happy one. lie has been telling him.
self all day what q consummate fool he has
been, and now, though fully aware that three
o'clock OIL a hot July day Is scarcely advis'
able for calling, has started out on the prin-
ciplc that sooner begun the sooner over. But
he is not prepared tor meeting the end half
way rs IT were and starts as he sees this blue
clad maiden ObstructiDg lis way. She, how
ever, holds out her hand, crying In the hap
plest OF tones:
II knew you were coming. 1 felt it in my
bones, 50 | came here ON purpose. Was II
not good OF me?'
Very" lie has seated himself beside her.
There is nothing else for him 10 do. His
hat PUSHES against the low hanging b0ugi,s
as he takes his place and sends n host Of
hard little acorns rafting Town upon them.
II am so glad you have come" she goes
on Helen Is asleep, and DOME out, and
am all alone"
No answe lie is not ever looking at her.
After all | Believe you are cross" she
says, peering up at hin lnguisitiyely and
wondering what has become OF all the love
she reed in his face last night. 'Or per-
haps," she continues, half shyly, perhaps
you are angry with me for being so foolish
last night, but y0u-you startled me-" :.
IL all not angry non cross either, only
with sudden resolve, II have come to say
goodbye. am going away to-nIOrrow."
Dead silence. A fat woman with a basket
OF eggs passes and stares at them inquisi-
lively.
Going awayg' says the girl and her voice
sounds odd and foreign to herself. 80
morrow did you say?'
Yes"
The sun has hid his face behind a cloud.
Over there a bObollnk is singing shrilly.
Eleanor is glad her old hat comes so well
down Oh her face. il hides her blanchea
cheeks and miserable ewes.
II had n letter this morning which neces-
states my speedy return" he goes on un-
easily. TT is from the young lady to whom
| am engaged"
Eugnge,ii Is It night that everything
should suddenly grow so dark? Her hands
grasp each other c0nyulsiyely and her heart
seems TO stand still, but when she speaks
her voice ~ calm anu even.
IL am sorry you are going. We will all
miss you"
Tins is the girl | am going to marry" he
/ says, handing her the picture in which he
has long since ceased t. see any beauty.
She takes it silently. so this Is her rival.
this childish face with innocent, baby eyes
and chestnut curls.
1t Is a very pretty face" she says, "and.''
with a pltiable attempt to smile, II congrat.
ulate YOU"
Pray do not" he SAYS, roughly. There
is time enough for that"
Well" she says, rising, II see you are in
a hurry so ] must say goodbye, Mr.. Carew.''
She holds out her hands as she speaks.
Goodbye. | will try and see yonr uncle
before l leave. Present my regrets to your
sister at not seeing her %and-and," with a
little sigh, goodbye" He releases her
hands and strides away, and she stands
there quite still watching him ont OF sight.
Thoroughly heartesS," says Dallas To
himself as he tramps along the dusty road,
"and, by heavens, last night | would have
sworn she loved me-"
And she, is she so heartless? She gets
down slowly from beneath the old oak and
goes OH n little way INTO the meadow where
she may be screened from the inqulsitive
passers-by, aud there filings herself down
! among the daisies and pretty blue flowers,
and here. all unseen. she may give vent 70
these hot agonizing tears which she has
hitherto forced back. She may cry out her
eyes for him IL she will, there Is no one here
to see. Has he forgotten last night? she
thinks. Has he already forgotten? while
she, Is not every word written in indel!ble
letters upon her heart?
So the long evening wears on. The tall
grass waves its head above her; the butter
ties hover about her a. she lies there I'm her
pretty blue gown--put Oh for him-lies there
with her face buried In her hands and her
eyes drowned deep In wells of tears.