The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1895-12-19

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~E&W aES"0's

1T was the Colonel. If he had not
ONE. You would ave been my wife
now"
'Prrhaps. | never loved you"
"lou have told me that SO often, |
wonder | do not give You hate for hate.
lou have been my evil genius. Had it
not been for you | might be my own self,
instead of the miserable drunkard that
am"
Yet. for you own sake. Jacob, if not
for mine. YOU might have striven against
such a terrible habit. Father told me
that you had promised TO refrain, and I
was hoping -
Hop" nothing, Jenny: il is too late for
that now. whatever it might have been
then. ! tried ~ first; for n whole month
did not let "a drop pass my lips; then |
grew gloomy and dispirited. l knew I
was only following a will-o.the-wisp.
that ! had no real chance Of winning
you, try as | might to be steady and sober.
If you would promise mo something def
mite. perhaps"
She recoiled from him in dismay.
You don't mean to marry your she
cried.
Would you promise that If I asked
YOU"
They had stopped beneath the trees,
and the sunlight, g%linting through the
branches. lighted up the gay uniform of
the hussar, and fell upon his cookbook
ing face as he stood waiting for her to
speak.
"Oh. no, no." she murmured, and hid
her face in her hands.
But he drew them gently down, look
ing sadly into her eyes.
Don't be afraid, little Jenny. | was
not going TO ask that. ] know l am not
worthy of you. that il would only be
dragging you down with me. Nothing
now can save me from q drunkard's
end"
The tears We're streaming down her
pretty face and her figure swayed rest
lessly TO and fro in her agitation, for was
not this all her doing. her fault?
"oh, Jacob. let me help you--let me do
something To atone!'"
VI pretty one. Your sympathy does
m" more good than You can know. On
my soul | will Try to amend if only to
spar" You grief. And. Jenny, promise
m" something, too -promisc me that you
will aot marry until
Then So long as YOU wish me not to
marry | will not" she substituted, meek
ly: and lifted her eyes 70 him so full of
tendercSt compassion that, looking into
them, he could not but believe she would
hold to what she said. even though his
doubts might return when removed from
her presence.
Tel NE You forgive me-" she wills
porrd, as she turned To go.
Il do forgive You; and, Jenny, think of
me. too, rs kindly as YOU can"
He graspcd her hands so tightly that
she nearly cried out. His eyes were fixed
upon her intentiy. as though wishing TO
keep her always SO in mind beautiful in
her womanly sorrow, and thinking only
of him.
For a moment he stood so, then with a
deep sigh released her, and strobe away.
his head raised deiiantly, and cutting at
the heads of the tall grasses with his
whip rs he went.
When she went in she met her mother
in the hail.
Jenny. there are some flowers come
Tor you. Those young men spoil you,
that's n fact"
You know it plcases you far more than
il does me- she said. smiling.
Il believe il does. You take il so Quiet
ly that one might think you had been ac-
clstomed TO it all your life. Why, child,
YOU have been crying what about
bringing her keen eyes to bear upon her
daughters tearstained face. Its NOT
about the Colonel:" she added, quickly.
NO, no. Is it likely, when he cares 50
little for me?'-lifting her mead proudly.
Perhaps for that very reason thought
Mrs. Knox, shrewdly; but she would not
VnX llama x ca viuo -, nI,IIA .I,p,o a,I
see Your flowers" she said. instead: and
don't cry any more, Jenny, or | shall be
disappointed Of seeing my daughter the
acknowledged beauty of the ball. Re
member, have never participated in any
of your triumphs yet"
Then | will look my best for your sake;
hnt" looking down indifferently at the
creamy blossoms lying in their bed Of
green "y"u must have these roses,
mother; they will enliven your black
dress. and | shall wear those Mr.. Graeme
sent me-"
And in spite of all Inconsistencies she
carried her point. and Jack Blount's vel
low roses, which he had taken so much
trouble to beg. buy and steal from differ
ont places in the station. instead of max.
ing lovelier still the lovely face and fig
ure for which they were intended. adorned
the cheap black silk lace cap Of Mrs,
Knox.
But after all lane never wore Valentine
Graeme's flowers. Just as she had gone
10 her room TO dress. the ayah came in
carrying a large basket.
Jane drew away the ferns that lay
across the top, and discovered n bouque,
beautifully arranged, with some flowers
lying loose for her gown and hair. They
were all white. with only delicate maiden
hair ferns and their own leaves to lend ,
tinge of color.
Whence they had come remained Il mys
terry. The man who had brought then
had left al once. on! saving that tb"A