The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1896-11-26
OF SKILL.
Bv WHITLEY.

I swcring her quick questions GA irlele-
want subjects: he could find no small
talk with which 10 respond to her
many remarks. But just ut the las lie
Stammered ont that The understood. y
she knew" The hoped she would be
happy The hoped that he loved her rs
she should he loved" And then. refus-
ing to enlighteE her in reply to her
quick question as to what he meant,
and shaking his head sadly at her hot
denial of the Observation-Disclosures ii
might signify-he turned abruptly
away and left her.
1t was no wonder that she looked
pale as she retraced her steps to the
house, for the blazing sun Streamed
down on her bare head. As she passed
the sweet-briar tree, she paused TO
gather a spray on which II of the
fragile blossoms bloomed; but as she
picked it the petals fell, n by one to
the ground. and the resisting thorns
tore her fingers The crushed leaves
left their scent upon her hands, for she
held them as in a wise az she re-en-
tered the drawing room.
Mr.. Jones was standing up by the
window as she came in. She looked at
him gravcly. She had cause for grav-
ity; the change in Lis mien frightened
her. She hardened her heart and sent
her thoughts co rising back TO past
cYcnts, by the memory Of which she
could brace her determination. He re-
turned her glance; his eyes were grave
and Steadfast; his attitude was alert:
his careless. Cod-humored smile was
gore.
The fact was that, for once in his
life, his emotions We're stronger than
his will. He had. at the Rivers Meet
picnic, made up his mind that Helen
should be his wife. Systematically and
deliberately he had set himself to win
her love. If the task had not been
easy. it was none the less TO his taste
on that account; neither was the re-
suit less likely to please him. SIZE had,
against his better Judgment, suhju-
gated him; he, recognizing her diSad-
v%antageS. overlooked them.
Until this III he hat been in nc
hurry; he could not p~reclpitata mat
terS; on the contrary, he would pro-
long his wooing until her feelings fully
reciprocated. if they did not exceed his
own: that would be his revenge for her
~Obduracy.
He had promised himself a delight
full time; he had laid a capital plan,
but
1.-THE best laid schemes of mice and
men
Gang aft a-g!ey."
The advent of his rival was unlocked
for; it upset his calculations and his
self control; il maddened him.
IIn xyn,,IJ mot hnnt ahnuf tho hush.
he would go straight to the root Of the
matter. He would not have any non
sense, he told himself. angrily, before
she returned. But when he saw her,
looking, in her faded pink gown, as
fair and delicate as one of these sea
convolvuli that grew intcrtwined with
thrift and sea lavender on the cliffs,
and a bunch of which he had gathered
for her only the night before. he felt
with Il sudden qualm Of heart what it
would be TO lose her, and he sOftened
his words.
II hope / did net send your friend
away"
HE was just going when you came"
as he staying in this placer
IL don't think So"
Game over from I~lfIacombe, per-
hapsY'
No"
as he an old friend?"
81 have known him for six months"
Her way of answering him diSpleaS-
ed and surprised him; it was reluctant
and constrained; it waS-Oh. disquiet-
ing thought.-as though she had Ome
things she wished to hide from him;
this hypothesis was unbearable and
should be dismissed at any cost.
"Are you going To marry him.
There was Il pause. y pause so long
rs to he alarming: then she answered:
MOI in defiant and distinctly IN
friendly tones. He was annoying, but
not to be deferred from gaining his
point by her manner
"ICu don't think ! have any right 10
ask you that question! - he said.
ANY one has a right TO ask any
question, | suppose; but 1t is always
unpleasant to be catechised.'
when l found THAT parson alone
with you Notwithstanding your
hands what was | TO bclieve:"
Every atom of color had forsaken her
face and lips: it returned in a food,
her eyes biaZCd, her lips were com
pressed.
Don't be angry. l only wanted to
make sure: for a moment | was afraid.
| knew yOu would have told me long
ago IL you had been engaged. | was
a fool to doubt you. | understand: if
/ had not been a bit annoyed should
have seen the whole thing at once"
Mr.. Jones was taking "A great deal
for granted. If Helen was ever to
quarrel with him it would be easiest to
40 90 x,hnp hn plnnnn1 ht,nSnlf on his