The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1893-12-22
THE LAST CHAPTER
Miss Elizabeth r. Smith, Superior,
Wis.

WIS.
Copyright by Northwestern Newspa-
Unon.)
Has this been merry Christmas,
Is Seacorl!'
fYes,' she replied, 1T has been a
easant day and a fitting close to Il de-
htful visit" Glancing up she noticed
surprise and divining his thoughts.
ded, Il had almost forgotten to tell
u that leave for home in the morn
e.
II thought you intended remaining
4il February" he replied. You
ESt have tired Of Us, for it is only
ree weeks since you came. Three
eeks Surely must have been here
Ter three weeks" she exclaimed. No
u have not. for | met you the evening
u arrived" he said dryly.
She made no reply and they drove on
silence through the deepening tWi-
kht. Only three weeks, yet it seemed
Maud Seacord as many months since
De had met this man. She smiled at
recollection Of their first meeting.
too, recalled it distinctly. 1t WAS
reception, and she had caught
1t a glimpse Of him as he entered,
BIT had been impressed by his hand
|me face and manly bearing Later
the evening she had asked her aunt
ho he was, whereupon that good lady
pd been greatly alarmed. That
Ian" she had said, lis Horace Hark
eSs. Maud, do not, be. OF you, fall
love with him He Is handsome,
ever, wealthy and fascinating. but
BIT marrying man. If you amuse
6m he will be very attentive for L
me, then suddenly shun you and seek
sh conQuests" That advice seems
~ untuthful now
Poor Horace at that mon ent was 1'i-
lr IN object for pity than contempt.
lors OF Maud's engagement to 4
stern lawyer had reached him and
was anxious to ascertain the truth
ncerniny them before asking the mo
lentous question. 1t was case OF
Dw or never. Time was precious, but
hch moment made his task seem more
bAicult
Before he could decide upon plan OF
ction the horses stopped in front Of
Pc toll gate. The collector Of tolls
allied to materialize, and while they
gere waiting Horace took his compan-
PMS hand to examine more closely the
1ngs she wore He glanced At them
moment, then said:
To which of these rings is there 4
fistoryg'
The one with the emerald setting
connected with the third chapter OF
ny history" was the unexpected re-
pOnse.
Won't you tell it to me?'
III you wish to hear it. | am sure
will either amuse. instruct or enter
ain you,' she replied.
During first year at boarding school
had 4 roommate who talked con
lnually OF her brother. At Christmas
ne invited me to spend the holidays
WITH her, SO l had an opportunity TO
meet this paragon.
He was a nice boy, only he had
Nd hair. Moreover, he proved CON
Genial companion, and before many
Ways elapsed l fell very much in love
with him, or imagined ! did, which
answered the same purpose. Christmas
we my friend gave a party. her broth
and l met under the mistletoe, and
,oWed eternal constancy and undyins
we. When / returned TO school we
Syesponded every day at first. But
uaang that took too much time letters
were exchanged every week. At length
ue time dropped to one month, ana
ua&ly our correspond ance subsided al
ogether.
In chapter two my first groWn-up
;sahlrer appears. He had fierce look,
nng mhstache and tired expression
men, too, he thought he knew it all
!. na'i the attack lighter this time and
~, "as content to worship at distance
s.neil discovered my affection was re.
~procated ! was dsmayed. ! avoided