The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1896-10-08

SeA. iieleu : mead aCned. ana II real
lied that she vas extremely thirsty;
n Imagined the comfort of a cup of
tea. II yet she preferred her thirst
and her WEAKNESS to accepting another
favor at the hands of this stranger.
lie was looking at her %intently, rath-
er more intently than he would have
looked, perhaps had he found her in
less humber circumstances. He had
decided that h was governesS-a
young, much-to- be-pitied dependent. on
her way to her work, where she would
waste her beauty in q dull School-room
among lesson books and naughty chill
aren. He a intensely compassionate
over her fate. Unfortunately, she was
slightly uncouth and abrupt, but no
doubt she was shy and a little over
whelmed by the interest he had shown
in her misfortunes.
Mr.. Jones, young, g~oOd-looking, pop
ular among his fellow men, and heir to
a prodigious income, was not likely to
be humble nor blind to his own ad-
vantages. The kind maidens, and
their still kinder mothers, with whom
he came in contact at every stage of
his life, had lattered and cajoled him
into the belief that his personal at
fractions were irresistible.
He would like to see her smile: her
smile ought to be very sweet: there
was n suspicion of a dimple indenting
her pale cheek. How white, how tr.lv-
el-Soiled, how grave she looked! He
was so sorry for her. But her conduct
was disappointing: for she, with frigid
politeneSS, refused his offer of tea. and
turned to re-enter the ladies' waiting
room.
why o wait here?' he inquired
earnestly.
Il should like to rest until the train
is ill.," with what he called her I'M
fortunate governess manner.
you can rest out here pointing to
an adjacent bench; there is more air
out here. 1t is much better for you
than being stified among all those
women. Do come, you are looking so
awfuily done up, and l will bring you
a cup of tea down here"
But the waiting room door had
closed behind her before his sentence
was ended. 1t was evident that she
was very gauche, but it was also evil
dent to her observant and gOOd-na-
tured companion that she was tired
oul, ht WAS COuN luCeu tudl sue udu IT.
fused his offer from some other mo-
tive than disinclination for the prof
fered refreshment.
ut Is an awful thing for ashy girl to
accept anything from a strange fell
low" he reflected. II was clumsy; /
must manage it better. She shall have
her tea, / swear, for l know she is
dying for it," and he walked off to the
refreshment room.
A few minutes later a maid, accom-
panied by Smithers, and carrying tea,
cake, biscuits and a plate filled with
white-heart cherries, entered the ladies'
waiting room. There, at Smither's di-
r~ection, the tray was placed on the ia
BILE by Helen's side. with the words:
THE gentleman desired me to bring
these, ma'am."
The r%etreating figure showed no con-
seriousness of Helen's quick disclaimer.
1T is a mistake. l ordered nothing
i want nothing"
That tea and those seductive cher
ries stood untasted at this foolish girls
elbow. She looked at them wistfully,
but she touched them not. When her
train came into the station h felt
that she was turning her back on a
terrible temptation, as she hustled out
upon the crowded platform, where she
was Immediately joined by Mr.. Jones.
This way, if You please. I've got
you a carriage. My man will see to
your luggage: it is with mine"
And he hustled her on till they had
reached an empty compartment, the
door of which was held open by Smith
erS.
Il am travelling third" she said,
glancing within the carriage. This is
first"
The mantle whO-dO-yOu-call-it at
the ticket office" stamering owe the
prevarication, gave me a tirst-class
ticket for you"
AS indeed he had done, and had paid
for it. too.
Thank you, but ! like third best; it
it is coolest"
AS you please" The girl was less
shy than disagreeable. after all. Il
am going in there" indicating the
smoking carriage next door, 80 you
would get this place yourself. The rest
of the train is very mach crowded.
Helen hesitated. She believed that
the white ticket which she held had
been provided by the generosity of the
railway company; she also believed
that by a fortunate coincidence-not by
bribery and corruption-the selected
compartment happened TO be empty
the only empty compartment in the
full train.
Smithers, with respectful mien, pa
tiently held the door open. Take your
seats" shouted a porter at her elbow.
An eager crowd Of excited excursion
lists surged past; a drunken nan stag
gered close to her. Mr.. Jones said
nothing, but preserved an Indifferent
air. The drunken man settled the
question. Helen shrunk away in dis