Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1893-05-11

| S1c SOhtAhuSN'
II suppose pap. is taking his afternoon
nap, and Kitty Is down in the vegetable
garden helping Thomas make a selec-
ton for dinner, ond of course taking
twice as long over it as either could do
it alone. But I'll do the honors for
once and show you to your room. You
must be: tired" .
She led the way with a pretty little
| gesture of command, Wade following,
while Olive brought up in the rear,
with her usual ready courtesy and well
come Of an expected guest all gone,
and in its place this strange sensation
that sealed her lips and made all
around seem different-unnatllral-n
| like the world in which she had moved
half an hour ago.
1t was only too evident what the end
must be for ElSic-it was a clear case
of mutual affinity-they had come to
each other as naturally as the birds
mate: she could only hope that her
father might have no objection to in
tcrpose. could only resolve that every
effort Of her own might be directed to
securing to her sister the fultilment Of
that happiness without which her life
must be dark forever.
| My trust is superceded-made void
by the first glance into each others
eyes, she murmured. when she could
ut last gain command of herself. II
| can only trust that it has been resigned
into worthy hands-can only now help
| my father TO see it also
But ere the week was out, Olive had
| read the secret of that strange spell
| that had possessed her. and knew that
her trust had assumed a phase more
sacred. more pitilessly unsparing in its
| demands. which required of her to
| stitle the first sweet JOY her life had
ever known-the joy. the bliss that
is like nothing this life can ever equal
that comes to wonlan's heart with
! the first conscious dawn of love; the
| first realization that anothcr-although
| perchance. he may not realize it-haS
awakened that voice in her soul that
must echo there while life shall last.
But with her. Olive realized it could
never be anything but an echo-ncver
the full, living tone of acknowledged
and mutual love.
Her fathers liking for and instinc-
tinve confidence in his guest was ap-
parent at once: and it needed no skill
full eye to read the happy understand
ing that had established itself from the
first between Elsie and their guest.
When his eys rested on her, Olive read
the affectioll;,te regard of Il brother;
when it turned upon Elsie. it held but
one interpretation which her ach-
ing heart acknowledged as the requiem
of all her joy.
"He-they must never know she
said whom she had fought down the
first sharp. bitter protest that seemed
more than she could cope with. Her
life has been meant for Sunshlne-mlne
for sacrifice. This is my truSt-that
the love that has crowned her life shall
know no hint of sllade-that my best
gift to hcr-the gift of Il heart that l
know to be wOrthy-that because OF
my hopeless love for it. is twice be-
slowed. shall be hers to have and hold
through life, with no thought of an
others hopeless yealning to mar one
thought of her perfect joy
And we'll she kept her word and
fulfilled her trust watching with a
depth of heroic sacrifice of which
no one dreamed. the unfolding of those
two hearts-never faltering but once,
and that when once coming upon them
unseen she heard Elsie say in her art
less manner:
Dear Olive always wished the best
of life for me, and always tried to give
it to me-and now she will have her
wish right royalty fulilled-for nothing
that she ever wished for me can give
me the supreme happiness Of what l
shall soon tell her-aS soon as papa
says yes Dear girl. how it will sur
prise her!'
innocent child"' murmured Olive,
hurrying away, unable to endure an
other word. DO you not.k that
your guilelss secret is only too appar-
ent? Oh. Heaven! give me strength.
courage. fortitude to hear as she would
wish me to hear the news Of her SUI
preme happiness"
But the days passed into weeks, and
the disclosure she both longed for and
dreaded did not come.
And then Wade went away, to be
gone on an important matter OF bust
ness for his friend.
With loving solicitude Olive watched
Elsie while he was absent. but beyond
a fond. thoughtful look that she would
at times detect bent upon herself, Elsie
betrayed no change. although as the
time for his return drew near there
was reStleSSneSS almost amounting
to apprehension in her manner that
made Olive long to take her in her arms
and comfort her: but she had not been
made the repository of the precious Sc
cret. and until then she shrunk from
even mentioning N'ade's name as in
any way connected with Elsies eager
anticipation.
She was out when he returned. Re
turning she passed around the corner
of the house, and from the open viii
dow Of the room where she had watch
ed her sisters gambols on that last day
Of happy girlhood for either of them,
she heard her fathers voice.
You have done well and faithfully.
Wade! You have proven worthy of
! my fullest regard and confidence. And
now 1 will reward you with the most
precious gift it is in my power to be-
stow. Go find my daughter, and if you
have won or can win her heart, take it
with my blessing"
Then Olives agony reached its eli
max. and staggering away. she scarce
knew where. she wandered down to the
| flower garden where she had stood on
| that G3v when her heart awOka