Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1895-08-15

said. or was she trying 10 draw him out
and discover what his O n opinions were.
He would give her the benefit of the doubt.
"You don't mean all that" he said.
"You have gotten of those views before,
and people who cared nothing at all for
you doubtless applauded them. until you
have almost persuaded yourself they are
yours. You don't know how odd it sounds
to hear your mothers daughter fretting
against the everyday life. God help the
poor woman who has tried that other
existence you speak of, 1t is because you
are so i~nnOcent-sO ignorant of what 1t is
that you allow your thoughts for
moment to dwell upon it,"
Ignorant" she said, with q laugh.
1.-THE woman Of today Is never that"
He started as though some one had
struck him and the slow blood rose In his
cheek.
"What have you been doing with your
selt?" she said. lone might believe that
you had been asleep in some enchanted
garden while the world moved On without
y0u."
"Well l am asleep no longer" he an
swered. "You have awakened me. But
not as the heroine of fiction usually does"
11C SptdIk W ilIo ACCts Az 10 ~ WV
late now. You say you like the daring
man who will grasp an opportunity and
make the most Of a situation, SO as l
would fain merit your approval l shall
claim it thus" -
With swift violence he put back her
hands and stopped toward her. She did
not move. and color never deepened In her
cheeks. Instead she broke into al amused
laugh. 1t struck her as SO absurd that
Meade, whom she had always thought of
as a boy. should he so ready to take up
her challenge. 1t argued that he had i'm
proved; that he had seen something OF the
world. She forgave his impertinence in
admiration for his wit.
The effect Of her laugh upon him was
odd in the extreme, for he fell back from
her with an ashen face.
'.You can laugh" he said. You are
not angry with me?"
"Angry?" she repeated. "And why
should / be? No. l I'm only intensely
amused. l had no idea my words were
falling upon such fertile soil. or that you
would prove SO apt a pupil"
''Thls is not the first time then that you
have played the roll of teachery"
She shrugged her shoulders-the move
ment indicating neither admission moi
denial.
sWhat would you have done." he SAID.
.'what would you have thought II l had
kissed your"
sWhat would lhave thought" she re-
peatcd slowly. s.Really, l cannot tell you,
for no man has ever done that"
He burst into q harsh laugh.
.'Oh, / dare say not" II
..YOu do not believe me?"
lyon are q woman" he answered.
"BeIieye me or not then, 1t Is true"
"What would l not give to think so" he
cried. ..What would l not give to bio
this last hour from my memory. bot
something here"-he laid his hand on MS
breast-.'tells me that yours were no IDLE
words, the t~houghtless utterances or q
listless mind; but the sincere CONVICTIONS
Of one who has known this pitiful word
atits worst. Where did you learn It all?
Who is responsible for it all? Ana VINO
would have dreamed that you could nave
changed like thisl"
She had been listening attuntively; but
now she broke I'M II have not changed:
/ am today just whist l was six years ago..
..Not changed! You! Why. II you had
died and some one else had taken your
place. you could not be more unllKe inc
girl / knew" -u
sWhat did you-a mere boy romping
with INV brothers. or PLAYING at love with
Kate-know of me and my iife?"
"Playing at love with your sister,. pc
repeated. "Now, what folly Is tnisY !
admired and liked her, IS q !tkes q
good comrade or pleasant friend, but De-
yond that nothing. 1t was you l
She stared at him i~ncredulnusly' the
she said: II wonder II you know what
you are saying"
II have always loved you,"' he cried.
.For six years / have had you on
stantly IN my memory; there has not been
An hour In the day when you have not
been with me-. Sometimes ! have won
dered what sou were doing In your
merry world; sometimes l have dreamed
Oh YOU as I last saw you-aH IN white,
with 4 duchess rose on your breast;
again. j have recalled idle speeches, care
less words, littlei gems OF fancy that you
nd doubt forgot Immediately, but which
fingered with me always, and, no matter
in what guise or ut what time though!
Of YOU. it was always with the tendefest
reverence. When people disappointed
me. or when women Jared upon my inner
sensibilitIes, / had only to remember there
80. = - -a~~A rNfnH Vwnc. Akar0 And