The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1893-03-10
BY Emma Garrison Jones.


An autumn sun blazed above the
Beechwood hills, and tinged the yell
low oak boughs with living gold, as
Arthur Isle rode down the broad ave-
nue. which led from his stately old
home toward the village high road.
Standing on the vine-shaded portico,
his mother looked after him with an
She was widow, and Arthur was her
only son.
Are you quite sure. my boy, that
you have chosen wisely?" she had said
70 him, as they parted.
Why. mother, to be sure,'' had been
his eager answer. Louise is all that
heart can wish-refned, accomplished,
and very beautiful
; And she loves you, Arthur"
She loves me, mOther!''
We'll, 1 hope you won't be disap-
pointed. my boy" she murmured, as he
rode off. but have my fears"
Meanwhile Arthur cantered on his
way in high spirits. When he had per-
Formed about half his journey he
dropped the reins upon his horses neck
sssad fell into 4 reverie. Presently he
drew dainty little casket from his
pocket. 1t contained an exquisite
ting. set with an immense fire opal,
surrounded by pearls. The ring had
been in the Isle family for ages, and
had always been presented as an en-
&sagement ring to the fair and favored
woman who had won the hearts OF
tise successive heirs of Beechwood.
Arthurs father had given it to his
bride. and from his mothers hands
the son had received it as a sacred me-
uaento, ana now he was taking it with
BIN to Talbot, to put it on the slim
fasager Of the lovely girl who had won
mas heart. AS he turned it over in the
afternoon sunlight, his handsome eyes
grew tender, and his bearded lips
tiembled like woman's
Very brief and very bright was
Arthur Isles love-story. Only few
anonths before. he had attended a
country fair. which closed with a
grand tournament There were hun
dreds of daring young knights, who
rlsked life and limb for the, honor of
GROWING the queen Of love and beauty;
bat Arthur Lisle, the bOldest rider in
ali that country. Outstripped them all,
a-2ad won the prize. This prize was a
lovaly string Of pearls. and Miss Louise
f-Fenoir. the prettiest girl in Talbot, was
the queen The young master of Beech
wood went through the interesting
ceremony OfocrOwning ner golden
gresses with the starry chaplet, and in
dssing so, naturally enough, he lost his
heart
louise was his first love, and he
loFed her blindly He was utterly be-
witched by the delicate beauty Of her
primrose face and the azure brightness
OF her shy eyes. In one month after
theT flrst meeting they were betrothed
levers.
The red fires of sunset had burned
out. and the stars were out in thou
sands in the misty autumn skies, when
Arthur reached the small suburban
cottage in which the Lenoirs lived.
There were lights in the windows, and
Che sound OF piano, accompanied by
a sweet. girliSh voice, reached his ears.
1t was Louise singing. With fond
smile at the thought of the little sur
prise he would give her. he fastened
2sts horse, and enclosing the little wick
ee, walked up the graveled walk toward
the door. But there. possessed by a
lovers whim, he turned across the
grass plot and reached the drawing
Eoom window. 1t was open, and he
iisd full view of the apartment.
louise was at the piano. in her pretty
evening dress. with her golden hair
rippling over her white shoulders But
she was not alone. A young man of
an excessively fOppiSh appearance was
bending over her, and toying with her
c,lris and Louise appeared to take his
Familiarity in good part, and ever and
anon gave him q glance of beWitchinc
c0quetry.
Arthur Lisle was terribly shocked;
he turned short about, and, stridine
back to the door. rang the bell and pre-
scented himself in a rather grave and
formal manner But Louise received
him with a shy, sweet surprise that
was irrisistible: and the charm of hel
Beauty and vivacity soon banished his
Jealous doubts. The foppish individual
having vanished, he had his cllarmer all
to himself, and they wandered out
into the autumn moonlight hand III
hand.
Arthur took the little casket from his
pocket, and produced the ring. He
put it on her finger, kissing the little
white hand as he did so, and entreating
her that the engagement should be 3
brief one.
Pretty Louise listened, examining the
ring with a critical eye and q little
slalf-sigh of dissatisfaction.
Very WE'LL" she said; I've no OBJ
lection, and mamma doesn't like long
engagements
Neither do l." cried Arthur, eagerly
you can be ready in a month, I know
darling? / want you at home before
Christmas"
Louise shrugged her white shoulders
and gave another little sigh.
How 1 do wish we might live il
the city, Arthur she said. 1T mus
be horribly stupid at Beechwood"
why, my DEAR" cried the young
man, in amazement; Stupid at Beech
wood! Not bit. We are within &
nice. drive Of the city, but we shall have
every comfort and amusement a
Aome"
ssOh, yes, I suppose So" asserted