The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1896-04-03
Why. he's got

want quite Al much. Why. he's got
i've thousand q year"
How do you know"
Mrs. Jackson told me SO. oh. what
do you think, Dick? She said that ii /
liked I might-she said she was sure /
might---Where are you going, Dick?"
IF you're only going to tell me what
that wretched old woman says Tn go
ing back to my rooms. What did she
say?"
Il won't talk about it if you
don't"
"Oh. what dia she say?"
"Oh, we'll, why, that Mr.. Franklin
Ford (you will break the corner Of your
cap in a minute, Dick), only that Mr..
Franklin Ford (there, l knew you
would; your caps in an awful state,
Dick; so is your gown; only that Mr..
Franklin Ford. Oh, how stupid you
are, Dick! You know perfectly we'll
what she said"
1 flung my cap upon the bench, thrust
my hands into my pocket, rested my
chin on my necktie and stared modify
at my toes. There was a long pause.
Presently I felt the highest touch on
my arm. I took no notice. The touch
grew more insistent.
Poor boy" said Daisy. "Dick, I told
her I thought Mr.. Ford horrid."
did your" I cried, my hands flying
from my pockets to-elsewhere.
Eyes and she said I should know bet
ter as I got older. 1 don't see what she
means. Of course, I couldn't tell her
about you or she'd have seen that my
getting older couldn't make any differ
ence. Oh, Dick, isn't it wonderful
eyes," said I, soberly, for a look a
passed in the blue eyes that seemed 10
me very wonderful indeed.
Presently Daisy said in a low voice:
81 wish papa wouldn't insist on going
abroad all the Long. He says he can
work better there"
"What does he want to work for?'
cried I.
IT don't know said she. "Dick, why
cont you come abroad?"
It was a bitter moment.
Give got no money! said I, with a
defiant bluntness.
Her breath caught halfway through
a little laugh, and she said:
ooh, you poor, dear boy! Never mind,
Dick. It's only till October"
"Only"! said I, in tones a Hamlet
might be proud Of.
"Will it seem very long," she asked,
dropping her lashes.
CAS- if you didn't know"
eyes, but Dick, I may like to be told
all the same, you know"
So I told her, and aeons on aeons
of weary waiting rose before us, at the
bidding of my words.
"And in all that time," said she, "are
you sure you won't forget? Oh, we'll.
then I believe you Won't. Think, Dick,
what it will be when you come back!
You must look out of your window all
the first day-and perhaps I may come
BY"
"And look up?"
Perhaps"
perhaps you'll have forgotten"
ooh, Dick, that is horrid Of you! !
forget my friends"
FIl6uuS. / SCuOCu, uulSuduIly
"Well, you know what I mean," said
she, indulgently.
AS she spoke the great clock in the
tower struck II. She sprung to her
feet.
Don't co." I urged. "Daisy, it's the
last time"
ooh, but I must; so must you"
"Well, then, before you go, promise!!"
I urged.
But I have promised, Dick"
you'll think of no one else the whole
timer"
tNo-of no one else."
"Not of that fellow, Franklin F."
"Dick! told you 1 hated him. Aren't
you going to promise, too?"
The garden seemed peaceful and quiet.
We sat down on the bench again for q
moment-or it was meant to be a mo-
ment. But such moments are endowed
from heaven with blessed elasticity. ]
think I promised for a full quarter of
an hour.
Then, at a cry from Daisy, I looked
up. A tall, stout man in gold specta-
cles stood looking down at us, a Curl
Gus, only half unkind smile on his face.
It was the provost. I felt crimson all
over and sat speeches..
pray, what's the meaning Of this,
Mr.. Vansittart?" he asked, the mixed
smile still on his lips.
I looked at him in fright for an in
slant. Then a pride arose in me. /
cleared nv throat and began.