The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1896-12-17
'Tell me what has changed you,

"Tell me what has changed you.
Helen?'
Il have not changed"
Not changed? Five months ago you
, refused to marry me-"
You had everything then: you didn't
want me; at least. not much. l was
blind and vain and a fool. | may be a
fool now, but l am no longer blind.
have g clearly enough since July. l
have learned a great deal
You know so little of me-
THAT is true. l have told myself so
many, many times"
Helen, you are ~torturing me; you
tempt me beyond endurance
Then open the door. if you please,
and let me CO.
NO, no. / can never let you so
now"
Il must have tea: you forget the
time" gettin nervous over the CRISIS
which she herself had brought abouf.
Listen. Helen; | don't want pity; |
want love; you may mistake the one
for the other: you probably do
Did / pity you last summer she
answered, impatiently. And when you
left me in a moment ard went away
tC that other wOman do you thiDk the
pain | had was pity? 1t isn't like yor.
it isn't kind of you to make me say al
this. You have said nothing. l don't
know why | should think you carr for
Re. Let me GO"
Never" he said. And he took her Ia
his ar1ls and kissed her.
Everyone said that the beautiful MISS
Milford and her fifteen thousand
pounds was being thrown away upon
Mr. Iones-Of the city. Mr.. Jones HIM
self was wont to say so, and 10 predict
great miScries in store for her. She
often acQuicsced In these prophecies;
for she, except on II mon.cntOuS oc-
casion, was chary Of feeding the vanity
W lavishing tender words on the lover
of her choice.
At first Mr.. and Mrs. Milford had
been slightly shocked by their dau%h-
ter's departure. Why Helen should
have engaged herself to the ruined son
of those dreadful JOnSeS' was incOm-
p~reheuSible to them; but when their
mild remOnStrances were met by n pas
siOnate and vehement confession OF her
great love for this very undesirable
person, they instantly became sylnpa-
thetic and congratulatOry. Helen had
always been right; she was probably
right now.
In the following June, upon the day
preceding Heien's wedding, the rectory
was the scene of great. though sub
dued excitement. Bridesmaids. uncleS.
GuntS. stray men and country neigh
bOrS. throngcd house and garden. The
presents, the trOuSSnau, the flowers and
the bride-elect were on view. 1t was
to be a gay wedding, as the saying is;
every possible token of rejoicing was
to be manifest: every possible honor
was to be heaped on bride and bride
groom. Though Miss Milford was
making such n bad match" the girls
said, she seemed very proud Of it,"
And so she was. She thought herself
the most fortunate IN i'll the
world. Even when her aunt Elizabeth,
who was directing the labels for the
bridal boxes, sighed and said, pointing
with an appreciative finger at-Mrs.
Albert Jones"-"I can't make it look
nice, my love-" Helen answered, quick
ly: whats in n name, auntfe?" and
then added. a little wistfully, after a
pause, 1T is better than Hogg, at any
rate"
BERTHE is the most charming fellow
in the world" Miss Milford put in.
kissing the bride-elect's fair cheek ten
derby. whatever his name is, or if he
had no name at all, I should be glad
for Nellie to be called by it,"
II don't know what all the women
see in him." said the rector, rather dis
mally. Fortunately, he is getting on
fairly well in business, Elizabeth.
though / believe my foolish little girl
would have married him, whether or
no."
THE END