Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1895-06-06
FHZ'zEES NJ
MKRlE NEMF fAt2H:,

1
ent, all unconscious of, the web with
iron warp and wool OF steel that fate
had just begun to weave for him, walked
on till he reached the grove of naples
lining the road.
Farmer John adjudged him a mystery,
and Farmer John was right.
One glance at his expressive face, in
tclligent eyes, expansive brow, daintily
shaped hands, told that ne had not al
ways been tiller OF the soil.
Something in the half-veiled eyes
spoke of a hidden past, of ambition
thwarted. of soul bound to iron-like,
uncompromising duty for the sake OF
others.
Something, too, just then awoke the
sentimental in the heart of the mex
plicable mystery of Maple Leaf Farm
that would have made hard, practical
Farmer John stare in wonder, had he
been there.
Whistling softly to himself, Paul Dali
ton. glancing down, saw some tiny flow
ers growing at his feet.
He leaned over and picked two of
them. They were violets, late stayers,
sheltered by the protecting hedge and
nourshed by the rich damp soil around
them.
| White violets," he murmured with a
bright smile the first I have ever seen,
though, from the dairymaids' talk, they
are common enough to the faithful
lover. Little of that for me, he sighed
grimly, but what superstition shall l fit
to them.
across the stile with violets white,
Your love shall pass that way ere night.
| I'll pave the way for some loyal swain.
Here goes"
He smiled dreamily, the poets reverie
in his fine eyes, rs he bound the two
pretty flowers with thread of grass
and caught the brittle stems against a
splinter in the slanting rail- Then.
more serious. as some duty of labor was
! suggested to his mind by observing the
workmen idling about a hay-mow, he
crossed the field.
Half way thither. turning he saw Ruth
Elliott passing the spot he had just left,
book in her hand, her steps directed
toward the grove.
A faint glow came into his cheeks.
Perhaps he thought OF the violets, and
the superstition his ready mind had as
ISOLATED with them. At all events, he
thought Of the pretty, wild-rose face,
and the trim, dainty form, for his eyes
grew sOmber, and he directed the men
at their work in preoccupied, mechan-
ical way.
Some fascination of destiny came into
his cheerless life as, at liberty again, he
wendell his way toward the grove where
Ruth had disappeared.
His heart gave quicker bound as he
caught sight Of her pretty blue dress
through the shrubbery.
Then frown darkened his brow, bit
ter and distrustful, as he observed that
she had a companion.
That idler, Ralph PRESCOTT" he MUIR
INJURED. What does Mr.. Elliott keep
that man about here for?"
| An unwelcome companion was the
favorite of old Godfrey Forsythe Just
then to the dainty Ruth, however. Paul
Dalton knew that moment later.
For, as he was about to retrace his
steps. a fluttering, indignant cutlery
reached his ears.
How dare you, sir!"
| Ruth's mellow tones, robbed of their
| usual gentleness, spoke. The reply
grated harshly.
! Dare? That's good, Ruth! Give me
the books, l say! saw; | was watch
ing. You've got them between the
leave. You won't take keepsake from
me. amt handsome enough for that.
but some other fellow-I will have
them"
You cowardly spy" gasped pretty
Ruth. "Oh, / hate you! l hate YOU!
Help! You shall not have the book"
Il will"
! In half dozen sturdy strides, Paul
Dalton reached the spot where the alter
cation was going on.
An exciting scene greeted his vision.
The great rough Ralph had just torn q
book from Ruth's hands and she was
striving to recover it.
| Give it to met" she cried, her eyes
flashing, her face aflame. "Oh. IL I
were only a mani"
Miss Ruth, here is your book"
| Quick as flash, Paul Dalton had acted.
| How 1t was ever done the confused Ruth
could not tell, but the next moment his
athletic form had sprung through the
shrubbery, the book was snatched from
the astounded Ralph Prescott's hands.
was rendered to it's owner, and Ralph
himself lay PROSTATE, ten feet away.
seeing stars.
| With a growl Of rage and muttered
threats he limped out OF reach of his in
dignant adversary moment later.
What was it?" querried Paul. solicit
ously; you will pardon me, but that
| great rough fellow"
Trembling all over Ruth Elliott con.
iusedly turned over the leaves of the
| book
- had something; it is lost" and
then she burst into inexplicable woman
ly tears.
SWas it something OF yalue?" asked
Paul, gently. Perhaps lean help YOU
| find it.. ~.
No, have found it,"
Paul Dalton started as from \ shocl
A tell-tale blush on her face, hastily
guiltily, pretty Ruth Elliott had picked
up at her feet the object missing from
her book, the cause OF all the excitino
episode OF the moment.
Two white violets bound with thread
Ut grass.
COMPLEMENTARY, quivering with
| nameless emotion, Paul Dalton recoo-
nized them. and rs she, shame-faced
fiuttering, dropped the flowers again. he
rcgained them and rendered them tn her
with earnest, searching, hopeful glance
Their hands touched as she took them
and she trembled!
Their eyes met as he realized that
they were precious to her-and he
| thrilled!