The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1893-12-23
LAST CHAPTER"

By Miss Elizabeth 4. Smith. Superior,
Wis.
Copyright by Northwestern Newspa.
per IJnion.)
Has this been a merry Christmas,
Miss ScacOru:'
Yes" she replied. st has been Il
pleasant day and a fitting close to a dc,
lightful VISIT CHANGING up she noticed
his surprise and divininy his thoughts,
added, II had almost forgotten to tell
You that l leave for home in the morn
ing"
II thought you intended remaining
until February" he replied. You
must have tired of us, for it is only
three weeks since you came" Three
weeks! Surely / must have been here
over three weeks" she exclaimed. No
You have not. for l met you the evening
you arrived he said dryly.
She made no reply and they drove on
in silence through The deepening twi-
light. Only three weeks, yet it seemed
to Maud Seacord us many months since
she had met this man. She smiled ut
his recollection of their first meeting.
He, too, recalled it distinctly. 1t was
at Il reception, and she had caught
but Il glimpse Of him as he entered,
but had been impressed by his hand
some face and manly bearing. Later
in the evening she had asked her aunt
who he was, whereupon that good lady
had been greatly alarmed. That
man," she had said, lis Horace Hank
ness. Maud, do not, l beg OF You, fall
in love with him. He is handsome,
clever, wealthy and fascinating, but
not Il marrying man. II you amusc
him he will be very attentive for Il
time. then suddenly shun You and seek
fresh c%onquests." That advice seems
less untruthful now
Poor Horace ut that moment was L
Their III object for pity than contempt.
ltumors Of Maud's engagement to q
Western lawyer had reached him and
he was anxious to ascertain the truth
concerning them before asking the mo-
mentous question. 1t was Il case of
now or never Time was precious, but
each moment made his task seem o
difficult.
Before he could decide upon Il plan of
action the horses stopped in front of
the toll gate. The collector of tolls
failed to materialize, and while they
were waiting Horace took his compan-
ions hand to examine more closely the
rings she wore. He glanced at them
q moment, then said:
ITO which of these rings is there a
historyw
1.-The one with the emerald setting
is connected with the third chapter of
my history" was the unexpected re-
Spouse.
Wont you tell it to me?"
IF you wish to hear it. l am sure
it will either amuse, instruct or enter
tain you," she replied.
During first year ut boarding school
l had q roommate who talked con-
.tinually of her brother. At Christmas
she invited me to spend the holidays
with her, so I had IN opportunity to
meet this paragon.
He was u nice boy, only he had
red hair. Moreover, he proved q con-
genial companion, and before many
days elapsed I fell very much in love
with him, OF imagined / did, which
answered the same purpose. Christmas
eve my friend gave a party, her broth.
CT and I met under the mistlctOe, and
vowed eternal %constancy and undying
love. When I returned to school we
correspondent every day at first. But
finding that took too much time letters
were exchanged every week. At length
tho time dropped to one month, and
finally our correspond ance subsidized al
together.
I'm chapter two my first grown-up
admirer appears. He had u fierce look
ing mustache and, a tired expression.
Then, too, he thought he knew it all.
I had the attack lighter this time and
was content to worship at a distance.
When I discovered my affection was re-
ciprocated I was dismayed. I avoided
him every day, but Mt last was cor.
nered. Then I as SO badly frightened
I cried like a baby. At Christmas he
sent me q rattle and so ended chapter
two.
"Chapter three is consecrated to one
who was my nearest, dearest friend.
From childhood he had been like q
brother to me. Two years ago he died.
Just before he expired he asked for me.
When I went to him he gave me this
ring as q remebrance and spoke words
I shall ever remember.
A tear fell and dimmed the emerald
and her voice trembled rs she began
chapter four. The hero Of this chapter
was a professor Of music. He had
lovely curly hair aud sang divinely.
All the girls in our set were madly
in love with him, SO I was fattered
by his preference. All weot smoothly