The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1895-02-15
think / can reach the villa safely"

think / can reacn the villa safely"
II was . splendid night The stars
shone beautifully, the air was soft and
balmy. Wayne villa was brilliantly
illuminated; Chinese lanterns shon e
here and there among the trees-in
fact, it looked like a fairy paradise;
carriages drove up and deposited ladies
and gentlemen and the sound of music
was heard from the parlors. Miss Clara
Wnvna was pivinr a ball.
Then he thought some one mlgnl
come along if he dallied, and, discover
ing what a wonderful oma she was,
win the prize he coveted away from
him. He felt as if there wa possible
danger in delay.
But how to say what he wanted to-
that vas what troubled him.
Little cold shivers went over him and
his tongue would cleave to the roof of
his mouth. He felt sure that if he be-
gan to propose words would forsake
him, and there he would stand, gasp
ing and opening his mouth like a dying
fish.
He had been a constant visitor to
Wayne villa for several months, and
he was thinking this morning, as he
walked le%isurely up the path. that if
he could but meet Miss Forsythe he
would speak.
AS he turned a bend in the path he
saw seated on a rock under a shady
tree the object of his thoughts.
She smiled when she saw who it was
that had intruded upon her peaceful
privacy; and the poor, lovesick artist
thought she had the sweetest smile he
had " seen. She made room for nim
and he sat down beside her.
"This is a lovely morning for sketch
ing, and l thought I would sketch some
Of this beautiful scenery, but now that
l have found something so much more
interesting to me and so much more
beautiful IL think I-would-would-
would"
Rather talk" interrupted Miss For
sythe, with a quizzical smile.
And the artist blushed like any rose
at his foolish speech.
Then there vas a little silence, which
Miss Forsythe broke by saying:
Here comes your protege,' as Flora
Hale came tearing down the path at
breakneck speed.
20. dear" sighed the poor artist,
with comical despair. II don't see
why l should be SO prosecuted. do yo13
That child worries the life out of me-"
II say" called out Miss Flora, while
yet a long way of. 'you aren't a fool,
are you?"
Il hope not" answered the aston
ished man. 'What makes you ask such
a question:"
20, Cause" answered Miss Flora.
"You see, l heard ma and Mrs. Insley
talking about you an Miss Forsythe,
an Mrs. Insley said it was as plain a.
the s on your face that you loved
her like everything, only'you daren't say
so. An ma she said you was foolish
not to tell her an done with it, fol
she'd e how you wanted to for q
good while, an she said Miss Forsvthe
thought her eyes of you, an you must
see it if you wasn't a fool, an lots more
that l can't remember. But I knew
you wasn't a fool"
And then this little protege smiled
lovingly up in the red, red face of the
poor artist.
He glanced at Miss Forsythe. She
was blushing like the reddest rose of
summer. The sight gave him courage.
miss F~orsythe,'' he began, and then
he got frightened and paused.
But he mustered courage and went
IN:
DO you are anything for mel? I GER
tainly do for you"
Then he found himself holding out
his hand to her, and she put her hand
in his, and then he kissed her. HI.
wondered at himself and his new-found
courage, for he kissed her again.
But the fact of his su dden bravery
was enough to make him as
as most lovers are, and he actually pul
his arm around Miss Forsythe and gave
her a third kiss.
Miss Flora stood and watched mat
tiers with mouth and eyes wide open,
taking rapid and accurate observations
OF what was transporting.
Don't tell, will you, dear?" said
Miss F~orsythe, coaxingly,
mo, not for anything" answered
Flora, with a grin.
An hour later, as the artist and Miss
Forsythe came up to the house, they
heard Flora rehearsing the whole af-
fair to a group of delighted children
20, but it was just jolly!' cried s he.
HE just got awful red an kinder
rolled his eyes up to her-this way; an