Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1897-12-09

spoiled that she dreaded her resist
aEce TO her husbands MISUNDERSTANDING
coercion. There was ven now a sligh'
mir of defiance in the way in which she
met her lovers gaze. and more than 8
tinge OF boredom in her tone as sh,
said:
Hadn't you better go-your horse
may run awoy. and judy and | are
buSyT'
That last is a sufficient reason, my
darling he returned. i~ndulgently
''Otherwise there would bp no need
for me to go, for Paterson is taking
care of Brownie. You look SO com
Portable here" he added, looking
round the finery-bestrewn room, "and
it is so dull at the Priory."
Elsie smiled into his eyes. He caught
her little gloved hands and held them,
looking with passionate fondness into
her lovely blue eyes as she said. naive
ly:
Probably in a few weeks you will
look back upon the dullness you now
complain of, and wish you had never
ended it by marrying me-"
'Do you think that is at all proba-
ble."
Il should not be at all surprised
quite believe that man is to one thing
constant never She replied laughing
Iy. and, swiftly ~diSengaging her hands
from his, ran from the room.
With the smile still on his face, he
stooa th%oughtfully at the window for
Il short time. Rousing himself at
length, he turned to Judy. and. look
ing ut her slender nimble fingers. he
said ~affectionately. as he laid Il hand
upon her shoulder. little guessing how
his touch thrilled through her
Judy. you will be glad when l have
taken her away. | should think: Do
you give yourself no restE'
Il like to keep on until everything is
finished" she answered cheerfully.
II have the bump of energy-if there
is such a thing-strongly developed.
But shall we see you this evening: We
expect Grace and her husband by the
seven o'clock train"
IL may look, in if you don't think
they will be too tired. Let me see
Mrs. Fletcher resembles Elsie. does
she noti II is o a sort of twin like
ness; | hope. | have always had an
idea that | should dislike my wife
very closely TO resemble any other
mans
No; they are not SO much alike as
that. For instance, Grace is taller
and roundcr, and. while her hair is
lighter. her eyes are darker than
Elsie's. But they are greatly alike in
disposition and style"
"Ah. does Mrs. Fletcher tlirt?'
81 don't think you ought TO ask me
that replied Judy.
You are quite right; ! apologize.
Residcs. | have heard Elsie say that
Mr.. and Mrs. Fletcher are very
happy"
THAT sounds" remarked Judith.
with an involuntary smile. if you
thought they would not he happy If
Grace flirted. | am afraid she does;
but there is no harm in it, as Percy
knows She thought this might be Il
little lesson TO him. but she could not
understand his frown. MAY | remind
you that you once admitted to me that
a man ought fully to trust the woman
he can believe in well enough TO loyeT'
II have thought of that speech of
yours many times, Judy; but don't
think I do not trust Elsie. for guile
lessness shines in her innocent eyes
btit ia htDIAbNR'
will not fail you"
Mrs. Hatfield at that moment en-
tered the room, leaning heavily on her
crutch-stick. and Claude moved for
ward to help her, so that what he
would have said remained ~unspoken.
The old lady shot n glance at Judy's
unconscious face and busy hands and,
not having forgiven her for first at
tracing Claude's attention. demanded
of her future son-in-law, with Il caus-
tic smile:
what is Judy preaching? Don't let
her bore you. Claude. Companionship
with Mrs. Gardiner is reducing her TO
the level of a walking tract, l am
afraid"
Judy is not preaching" Mr.. Town
shend answered, rather brusquely.
I'VE were comparing notes. and | am
obliged to her for one or two very
sensible remarks. Elsie has run away;
l shall not see her again. | suppose. so
/ will not keep my horse waiting"
and he departed.
You arc getting quite n fiirt i'm your
old age" Mrs. Hatfield observed. airi-
ly. to Judith as the door closed behind
him; but don't you think, dear, that
you ought TO try your hand on some
one else in preference to your sisters
lover
Judith forced n laugh. determined TO
take her mothers sarcasm in good
part.
Il am afraid you will have continu-
ally to wear your ~pince-nez. if ii APP
peared TO you that | was flirting with
Claude" she said; .'onr conversation
was most prosaic, / assure YOU"
Mrs. Hatfield said no more; but the
subject cropped up again in Mrs.
Fletcher's presence. when they were
with Judith in the drawing room. the
gentlemen being still in the dining
room and Elsie busy up stairs. Mrs.
Fletcher unintentionally started the
subject by Il remark she made.
II am awfully glad Elsie is going to
make such n good match she said.
'.for / was half-afraid she had fallen
i'm love with Captain Herbert. | am
quite sure he was very much smitien.
for he turned quite pale when | told
him of her engagement: but his peo-
pie expect him to marry money. you
know. 1 suppose Elsie has spoken of
him TO you. judy"
Yes. and | feared at first that she
loI lot tnnra thn,N hale 1n- hra,t Ia