Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1895-02-07
A MAGNETIC MAN.
Dx EDWARD 8. VAN z1LE.

was no time to say more, as the guests
had gathered in the hall and were making
their adieux.
"Come to MI in the morning." whis-
pered Margaret, and l promised her that
l would.
"Good night, my ~fiance," were her last
words, and / stepped forth into the dark
ness a bewildered but happy man. 1
wandered about the streets for two hours
in q curious state of mind. When Mar
garet Durand had refused me l had been
desperate for u time, but, perhaps my cur
rent is so Adaptable" l had fully recov-
cred and had allowed our intercourse to
rest on the basis of friendship. Now I
was obliged to fall in love with her again.
1t was not a very difficult task, but l re-
GREETED that l did not have that control
of my own electric flow that Marcus Rod
ney possessed.
The light of approaching day had be-
gun to glimmer in the east when / threw
myself upon my bed, worn out with the
struggle of conflicting emotions. I was
up again at II and hurried to a jewelers..
The handsomest engagement ring the
store held was soon mine, and l drove ut
once to Madison avenue. Margaret re-
ceived me with a silent pressure Of the
hand. She looked pale md her eyes were
heavy for lack of sleep. She smiled sad
~, almost listlessly, as / placed the ring
upon her finger and kissed her lips, less
red than usual, to seal our betrothal.
Il am afraid" she faltered, that you
will think / have been unwomanly."
Don't say that, Margaret. You do
yourself a wrong. A slave who has re-
ceived his freedom would be ~ungenerous
to harbor unkind thoughts of his benefac-
tor. l love you and you have promised
to be my wife. That one reflection is oil
that m mind has room for now"
She smiled compassionately.
1 want You to do something for me to-
day." she said.
Willingly, later on" I placed my arm
around her waist and felt no inclination
to move. l was delighted to observe that
the rcadjustment of the currents was go.
ing forward in a most satisfactory man
ner.
YES, later on" she murmured. 81
want you to see Marcus Rodney and tell
hin that you and l IRE engaged. Will
youy"
l was surprised Mt the request and
rather dreaded the task she had set me.
Must l tell him to-day?" l asked fee
bly,.
PLEASE do. l want him to know at
once. For-for-I am afraid of him. /
hate him.. But he is a peculiar man. He
is one OF those obstinate creatures who
never know when they are beaten. He
would not permit the I'M he loved to
become a sister to him."
l started as though my current. which
was flowing in the right direction, had
been suddenly reversed.
what do you mean to imply? l asked,
rising and looking at her with offended
pride in my eyes.
"Sit down, dear" she exclaimed, spring
ing up and throwing her arms around my
neck. Il have never been anything to
you but the girl you love, have l! And l
am going to be your wife"
Her arguments were irresistible. l re-
sumed my seat and had the eminent
pleasure of knowing hat the currents
had not been permanently disarranged by
my ebullition of temper.
How the e few hours were passed it
is needless to recount. This is not a tale
of passion, but of science. Suffice it to
say that when l left Margaret late in the
afternoon l was willing to beard a thou
sand Rodneys in their den. There is
nothing like love for a woman to make a
man brave.
As l was sworn to inform Rodney Of
our bethrothal at once l FASTENED to the
club. He was always there for a few
hours before his dinner time. As 1 went
up the steps / saw him standing alone at
n of the windows. His face had a
gloomy, almost %despairing expression.
md hn maid no Otfopficp %n n n roJ H
"How are you, old MANI" I asked as
I joined him.
Not very WE'LL" he answered gruf1y,
"But you look clipper enough. 1 .
the market turned your way today"
mot exactly. 1 haven't been to the
street, but a little flyer / took yesterday
panned out exceedingly well to-day"
There was something in my tone which
aroused his suspicious. He looked at me
sharply, and the peculiar power of his
queer eyes made me abandon my design.
II will prccrastinate," l said to myself.
Have you made any engagement for
dinner, Rodney?"
mo"
"Nell, dine here with me. Excuse me
a moment. will go and give the order"
He bowed silently, and l left him.
We had a very handsome dinner. I
wanted to beget in him a condition Of
good humor before / broke to him a piece
of news which l realized would place me
in an unpleasant position. BY the time
we had reached the salad his face had be-
gun to brighten a bit. If a man in love,
l reflected, can manage to preserve his
appetite he is not likely to break his
heart. A well filed stomach seems to
keep the organ of the affections intact.
Everything is going well with you in
a business way| l asked toward the end
Of the dinner.
Eyes, l will be a millionaire in three
months"
You looked tired. old man. Why don't
you II over to Europe for the winter!'
"You know right well why l don't. 1t
is unkind of you to ask such a question"
But" / returned, ''your affaire is at
an end There was a lump in my throat,
but l boldly raised my glass of cham
payne toward my lips and said impress
sively: Rodney, l propose a toast. Let
us drink to my betrothed, Margaret Du-
rand"
He hurled his glass to the floor in a
rage. His face was CHASTITY, and his eyes
met mine with a look which made me also
turn pale.
Traitor" he exclaimed. 'you shall pay
for this. Am l a man to be trifled with :?
Do you think l should permit you to
marry the woman l love? Hereafter, sir,
we are strangers"
H. --- 49,. As-.--Ne - ~