Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1897-01-01

easy chair by an open window. Then
he settled himself in an easy chair and
gave a glowing picture of the Calhoun
plantation.
The young man said little, but on his
face was an expression of mingled
amusement and indecision. And this:
amused indecision remained with him
II even appeared in his voice until,
they went out to the Calhoun planta-
ton. But when they returned, late I'M
the evening, 1T had wholly Disappeared,
Miss Willie is an exceptionally fine,
girl" he said, with suppressed enthusi-'
asm, land If I am o mistaken the
community will yet be proud of her
plantation. She seems to have the fac
ulty Of knowing just what she wants
and just how to go about doing it. I,
could not have planned the improve
ments better myself. Miss Willie told
me she wanted to plant trees along her
bank of the river, which IL between
the two plantations, and that it would
be nice If the owner on the other side
could be induced to do the same. Are
you sure the place can be bought?"
abruptly.
THE Calhoun place? Certainly, and
for a song"
"Well, l want 1t. I suppose it's too
lateto get 1t tonight" regretfully; 'bur'
If you'll arrange for its purchase early
in the morning. so that the papers can
be made out before noon. I'll be infin-
itely obliged. And I'll make it worth
your WHILE"
But you haven't seen the place yet?"
eXpostulated the cashier in amazement.
yes, / have-acrOss the river. you
know. Besides, I'm willing to take
your word for 1t. If you can have ev-
erything settled before noon l will go
over after dinner and talk with Miss
Willie about the shade trees. And, do
you Know" with animation, "I've been
thinking that those bluffs above the
live oak grove will be n fine place to
throw Il bridge across the river. I Won
der If Miss Willie will like the idea"
The next day the good people of Tai.
bottom We're stirred to unwonted excite
ment by the news that an energetic
stranger had bought the old Judge Cal
hOun plantation, and that unlimited
improvements We're contemplated.
And, even while this report was being
circulated from mouth to mouth, it was
followed by rumors of lavish contracts
and engagements made with the towns
people of the town. Decidedly the
stranger was no ordinary man..
And evidently Willie thought so, too,
for she would flash covert, inquiring
glances at him from under her long,
dark eyelashes, and sometimes would
listen with almost bated breath, Won
dering what daring scheme would be
proposed next. He was so different
from any man she had aver met-so
energetic and impulsive and chivalrous.
She could not help liking him, and she
could not withstand his impetuosity
any more than the reeds of the river
could Withstand the current in spring.
time. She offered objections to the
building of the bridge and he overruled,
them in a single impetuous speech. She
did not like the idea of assuming all
the expenses of improving the river,
u uiu ilol uuFe eApOSlulite IOf eur OF
the quizzical look which she knew
would come into his merry eyes. In
side of q month she began to feel that
he was as much at home ON her planta-
ton as he was on his own. but she
could see no way to prevent it.
And, indeed, she did not want to. In
the fall their engagement was definite
~ announced, and all Talbottom said
1t was the most suitable match of the
year.
A few weeks before the marriage he
carefully overhauled his papers. There
were many letters addressed simply to
Willie Smith; some We're to Willie H.
Smith, and n few to William Hamilton
Smith. All of them We're destroyed.
1T isn't well. to keep papers," he
solilOquized. as the last one was re-
duced to ashes. "Some folks see them.n.
New York Ledger.