Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1897-12-02
CHAPTER III.

#.a &tttk Ell 80
Indy was not thinking OF her own
disappointment rs mnch ms or MIS-.
Gardeners confidence of the previous
evening. and wondering, II Mr.. Town
shend Gid marry Elsie, whether her
sister would really be content, in hrs
love. TO forego all the little fiirtations
and gathering attentions she had beer
accustomed TO receive. She feared not.
Judith knew that Claude Townshend
was an intensely jealous man-indeed.
he had admitted as much in one or
Observation-Disclosures conversations
suppressing the fact Of how 1t had
married his life. but confessing that he
had such a vile temper that he did
not think it was possible for him ever
to become n happy man.
..Realizing that" she had said to
him, have you not the strength or
will TO crush your Jealousy? III you
believe i'm people sufficiently to love
them, surely you can also trust them!
Il ought. | suppose" he had admit
ted. Il cannot say whether l ever
shall: but | think one might as well
try 10 stem a cataract as controi II
Jealous nature. A man thus afflicted
is a tyrant to the object of his love and
q CURSE to himself
Judith knew that he would never
think of her again as a wife, and IN
pity for him alone she regretted II.
feeling that her very affection n
longing to be loved would have en-
abled her TO make him happy. much
In the same way as her callner nature
would have been a cheek upon his,
which was so passionate.
But that was past and done with. IL
was not for her now to try to exercise
any influence over him; h must, in
stead. think Of pretty, spoilt Elsie. who
had the power to make or mar his hap
pincSs and her wn. Judith felt that
the present was not the momen Tor
warning her sister of what lay before
her: she would wait until Claude had
declared himself, and then she would
let Elsie know what she would haye TO
guard against if she wished To render
happy the man who was gentle, court
eous and honorable, as well as fierce
tempered, and who would love as deep
ly and truly as he would love jealous
".
Elsie. meanwhile, was dreaming of
all that the dark eyes had expressed
and of what the grave lips had said
4 the HlEnL DplOIt. anu tipuEh WI
Towpshend was an older man than
Elsie had ever thought she would mar
nv, he was sufficiently attractive to
render her elated at his choice, with
out being as much in love with him
even as she fancied herself TO be.
Elsie thought his disposition was n
jealous one. and liked the idea of IL,
Just as she had enjoyed the rivalry for
! la,. 90 "A. thot haI nNisfn1 hAfXynnn
the Claxton young men. She also rel
ished the notion of becoming Mrs.
Townshend. of the Priory. Claxton,
and OF Gatly Park, Northwold; of be-
ing petted by this dark-visaged nan
of having more expensive finery. great
er pleasures, and n larger number Of
friends and admirers; but, more than
all. she enjoyed the fun of cutting out
Judith.
Poor old Judy" she said TO herself
-"sle didn't think / should return and
spoil her chance. Perhaps IL is a
shame: but | am more suited 10
Claude than she il. She would never
have spent half she ought on dresses
and knici-knacks. and she'd gather n
lot Of old fogies about him that he'd
get tired OF in a month. Besides. it
Will be n relief TO her 10 get me off her
hands. and perhaps, by-and-by. ! ear
have John or Lucy TO stay with me,
or get Claude to do something for the
boys. Then. again. Judy has so set
tied down to the life at home that 1t
would be a pity TO remove her from IT.
| wonder IL she is jealous? | dare say
she is: but she keeps herself so well
in hand always that 1t is difficult TO
tell. | am sure Mrs. Gardiner is an.
noyed ut my success. but l don't care
for that. She always seems to consid-
er Judy put upon in some way, and
pities her accordingly. | wonder when
Claude will propose? How glad moth
or will be when she knows it IL not
Judy he wants, but me! Grace will be
delighted, too, for she said it was high
time l married.
Her reyerie was brought TO an end
by Judith's voice addressing her.
Elsie, dear, it is just half an hour
since | spoke to you"
rs itY"-with Indifference. "WeIl, I
think I'll 60 and practice for an holr,
for papa is out in the garden, so there
VIII be no fear of my disturbing him.
and Il few minutes later Judy heard
the tones of fhe piano and her sisters
sweet voice singing, "For Ever and for
Ever" the refrain of which haunted
her.
Judith rested her weary head on her
hand for a moment, murmuring to her.
self, with more sadness than bitterness
or envy:
"Yes-for ever and for ever-sewinv.
cooking, looking at every penny before
spend it. dreading the amount of the
weekly bills. anticipating mothers
quarterly income. anxiously waiting
for the success or of papa's
books, but never satisfying any one.
For ever and for ever No, thank
Heaven-not for ever-I shall die some
day. 1t is cowardly, perhaps, to think
of that, but it is SO lonely, so dreary
ut times!"
The tears started TO her eyes: hut
She shut her teeth and clenched her
hands determinedly, and by the time
Elsie a chosen another song, sing
ing with all her heart
Ion, how delightful-oh, how entranc-
ing.
Fror, this duh thraldom so soon to be
free!'-