The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1896-04-09
III Nj

CHAPTER NJ.
BY this time Willie Snow was fully per-
suaded that his late sweetheart had been
laying "A snare for him. and meanwhile
Nancy's turn came sooner than she could
have expected. He called upon her nj her
own home one evening. and was pleased
10 find she was alone. Yet Willie felt
chilled when he entered the parlor, and
even Nancy looked confused.
He threw an eye round The room, with
its signs of order and comfort on every
side. Did any thought of Vanity cross
his mind. looping the wild roses around
her lovely head. and laughing out of her
reckless beautiful eyes: Perhaps So. but
the contrast only confirmed his present
resolution. for it is a weak. changing
world; what we glory in one day we de
spise the neXt-the only thing we are con-
slant to. you observe. being our own dear
selves.
Nancy" said Willie. in a grave voice.
50 chat the word sounded ike a minute
gun.
II am listening" replied Nancy calmly;
but her heart began to beat.
Would you-would YOU marry me if l
asked you:"
You had better ask me and Sec" re.
piled Nancy, laughing with a sprightly
air.
viii YOU marry me. them" he asked,
obedient to her direction.
- will" replied Nancy: Il like YOU"
Somehow Willie felt a littlc dashed by
her cool ways. and hardly thought her
an object for caresses. though she was a
hne young woman. you observe. So he
pursued the business vein.
There is a matter | have to mention
to you" said Willie. after a pause during
which both looked awkward. "A young
lady lives up the hill at the old farm
DO You mean a person who goes by the
name of Iardware:" asked Nancy. in a
cold. stern voice.
Yes" replied Willie. she and T.
Il never wish - hear that woman's
name MENTIONED" Nancy said. in the same
freezing way. Say nothing to NE about
her
Willie was speeches.. and before he
could collect himself Nancy rose and left
he room. In a moment or TWO the door
opened and Nancy re-entcred. leading her
aunt by the hand. This old lady advanced
to Willie with a Gratified air.
Il have heard all about it, she said,
and | am very much pleased. My niece
will make a good wife, she is an excellent
girl"
Il hope | was not too hasty.'' said
Nancy. interpreting with no bad grace.
Il could not help running 10 tell aunt.
l like 10 tell her everything, especially
when | am happy"
She let this last word slip bashfully,
and by that stroke somewhat revived
Willie's spirits. These had in truth be-
gun t. sink; for a sudden suspicion had
darted across his mind that Nancy. the
better to fix him to his proposal, had
drawn her aunt in as a witness.
Nancy showed him out. The front hall
was narrow and screened from observa.
ton by a cross door. but the sec:lsion of
the place did not suggest anything partic.
ular 70 Willie. Nancy slowly opened the
street door.
"Good-by, Willie" she said, rather dis.
appointed, l suppose.
"Good-by. Nancy" he replied, in no
brighter voice.
An hour later Willie called on me-. 81
have followed your advice, DOCTOR he
said. Il have asked Nancy to marry
me"
Well" said |, Il think l should have
told the other first. 1t does not matter
much, suppose. Still. you can only mar.
~ one woman, What a time, | mean.
Seems to me You are engaged to two
Il wish was engaged to neither" said
Willie, in very bad humor; nothing | do
is right"
You will write TO Miss Hardware. !
daresay,' | remarked.
NO; must see her said Willie ner.
vously; we arranged a signal which we
could use in case we wanted TO meet at
any time
AS looked at him the thought struck
me that II before they met some stray
hlht OF the matter We're to reach Nanity's
ears, he would not be altogether displeas.
ed.
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