Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1893-05-11
HER TRUST
BY Mrs. T.. II. HOugh.

yes. father?"
She turned from the window. where
she had been watching the gambols Of
a laughing girl of seventeen with a
father, 4 handsome. quecnly woman
and one upon whom. albeit the first
bloom of youth was past. the eye could
: not but rest with admiration. reverence
and regard for all that was sweet and
winning III woman.
WADE Hampton is coming here to-
morrow. Olive"
Yes, father
Her voice took an upward turn. for
the name conveyed no information.
and she was surprised and stirred by
an unwonted agitation in her fathers
face and tone.
She had been Won't to study every
line and changing expression of that
dear face since her mother died ten
years before, and left her not only to
be her fathers stay and comfort, but
the guardian of her sister, a tiny little
fairy of seven summers; and unwearied
devotion to both had thus far taken
the place of all other loves or desires
or ambitions. The quiet, peaceful life,
with its little round of uneventful du-
ties, suited her tranquil nature well,
and thus far she had been blssfully
content.
His father was my chosen friend at
college-but he married the girl loved
and for years l harbored bitter re-
sentiment against him. went on her
father presently. Until l met your
mother, and in her gentle, peaceful
sphere my turbulent spirit found rest
and comfort. But not until | had in
turn done my old-time friend a griev-
ious wrong. by sllspecting him of some
dishonest act, of which he was not only
innocent but entirely ignorant, and not
only that, but imparting my suspicious
to others. When discovered my error
I made all the restitution in my power;
but the effect was never entirely shorn
of its damaging results. Three years
ago he died, leaving nothing to his only
son but the good name which l had
so nearly destroyed. His wife followed
him within year. I learned this quite
ny dCClue1l, Slull 1etlluS us IL lldu
a duty to perform to the boy. l have
offered him Il position in my business,
and if he proves worthy l will eventual
ly give him an interest, and secure him
at least Il competency. He is to be my
guest here for i few weeks. and if I
find him worthy, would not refuse to
cement the friendship and reconciliation
still closer, by receiving him into my
20 Inf T h;
first, and I give you trust, Olive, over
Elsie-you know how thoughtless, how
impulsive she is-that nothing passes
between them by which her happiness
night be jeoparllized, until I am con-
WINGED that he is one with whom 1
could safely trust her. You will no
this, Olive?"
Elsie's gay. happy laugh came ring
ing in through the open window, as if
to add deeper earneStness to her
fathers plea: and with the gentle,
half-melancholy smile. so like her
mothers. parting her lips. Olive an
swered quietly but no less earnestly:
Yes. father. she has been my charge
and trust for years-she shall be
doubly precious, two-fold sacred trust
now that her young heart may be in
the balance"
My dear. devoted girl-my faithful
Olive her father exclaimed, clasping
her fOndly in his arms with you
l can trust her welfare as fully to the
most devoted and tender mother-as
YOU have indeed been to her these ten
years
And. indeed, she did seem to him
more like second mother to his moth
erlesS child than her OWN sister-her-
!, self still in early womanhood-only
) thltee-and-twenty, and it had never oc-
cutred to him any likelihood Of her
ever having any thoughts save those
that centered in her home and immedi-
ate family. Nor did anything come to
Olives peaceful heart to gainsay or
contradict him.
But that was before Wade Hampton
came.
They were gathering flowers to dec
crate his room-Elsie entering with the
gleeful eagerness of child into the
novel prospect Of having Il visitor for
several weeks. when Il firm step on the
pathway sounded near them, and.
glancing up, their eyes met stimuli
taneously.
Elsie's eyes dilated with the frank
welcome of the child that she was
while Olives fell before the deep. earn
est gaze, and a warm color suffused her
fair cheek and throat.
Pardon me, ladies. for my unceremo-
NOUS appearance" he said, dofting his
hat. and revealing a well-shaped head,
with close-cut, curling hair. Il rang
the bell, but there was no answer, and
attracted by the luXuriance of the gar
den wandered over here not knowing
what better TO do"
very well done, indeed, since you
can help us carry these to the house" "
retorted Elsie, with ready camarade-
RE. as she piled his arms with the
fragrant blooms. II suppose, of course,
You are WAGE Hampton
.Of course, /" he echoed. smiling at her
naivete.