Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1897-06-10

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az = E saw her coming along the
street, and he paused, hoping
- she would care to stop and
speak to him. She always bowed and
smiled, or said word or two. and he
lived on the memory Of 1t until he met
her again. That, usually, soon happen
ed, for In little town Of 500 inhabi-
tants the said Inhabitants are liable to
meet often.
She was sweet girl, a pretty girl,
every one thought, but these mild
terms did not half express Ernest VIII
sons opinion of Ruth Adams. She was
perfect woman In the highest and
purest sense Of the word. and to man
who looked upon all women as being
Tar superior to men, this meant a great
deal. That was what he thought Of
her. She did not think Of him at all,
except when she happened to see him.
and then he reminded her Of his brother
VIII.
Ruth was engaged to Will. She had
been for two years. He had been by
fAr the handsomest man In town, and
she was the prettiest girl, and he had
been proud Of her. That was before
he went to the city. Now he thought
there were girls galore better looking
than Ruth, but he said nothing of the
kind to her, for 1t was pleasant to have
some one to make love to when he was
obliged to 90 to the country sometimes,
for Papa Wilson had full pocketbook,
and Will had not.
So. in the soft light of an afternoon
sun. Ernest Wilson stood and waited
for Ruth to pass, and, watching her
a. she approached him, thought with
. little WEAKNESS of the injustice Of
fate. Not that he imagined for lao
ment that he deserved such q woman
- did his handsome brother, who was
gentleman" only he would have
loved Ruth tenderly, been very
thoughtful Of her, very kind to her, II
she could have cared for him-and Will
was 80 careless.
Ruth did not pass this time; she Daus-
cd and looked up into his good. honest
face. and then said. little timidly:
ERNEST. have you heard from Will
lately3'
No." he said, kindly. There was
letter In his pocket from VIII. received
q few moments before. speaking of
hard times and asking for the loan OF
q few dollars. mo. not lately: he Is
busy. you know. Ruth: you must not
4, Ill.,
he does not like to write.
Are you going hone?" he asked.
II will walk with you. Ruth Are YOU
worrying about It? II you are. then
don't
y will tell you honestly that | am.
You are one OF the people. Ernest. that
no one would ever think Of deceiviny.
am unhappy and am annoye,! 1t Is
not pleasan, for Il girl OF spirit, To hear
the things people are beginning ~ say.
At the same time. | know it is only
carelessness on Wills part. He has
given me his word There Is 20 one
who could say otherwise than that viii
Is \ gentleman. and a gentleman keeps
his word
IF lie does not" he said, anil IN his
voice there was that she had never
heard before. "in q case IKE this l
would scorn him. II he vera thou
sand times my brother!''
u would not have him keep his prom
fse to me against his WILL she said.
proudly. Never that. II he mas
changed toward me- then he owes 1t 70
himself and me To-
ITO be man--not gentlemau..' he
said. savagely.
ITO be BOTH" she said. But her iip
Quiyercd. They were at the gate by
this time. and he opened 1t and wait
ed for her to pass. Instead. she stood
and looked at him.
Ernest" she said, ''tell me Just what
you think"
what think Is this-that no man,
and make no exceptions whatever,
would possibly throw away the chance
Of winning you II he were in his right
senses. II man is not In his right
senses he Is deserving Of our pity. not
our.blame. wish you good evening""
And he left her looking after him like
one bewildered.
1t mag have been letter she wrote to
Will that night. or 1t may have been
one that Ernest wrote. refusing the
loan. bnt for some reason Will zane
home few days later. He had !earE-
ed new way TO carry his cane. and
his bows were more profound than
ever. but his accomplishments seemed
to have small effect upon his father and
br0ther. As for Rnth-wcll. 1t may
have been that she had grown tired
Of giving admiration, love and every
thing. and receiving In return kind
Of Indifferent attention. When wom-
IA bGins to draw comparisons be-
tMe her sweetheart and other men.
~ not ~ they should be. for
4 M npnW4 No c0snra r:sons. She did
" 1llen, AZ ~ ~ Ernest