Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1898-03-25
CHAPTER VII.

The cricket match had taken place.
Toms eleven. thanks to Dallas. had won
Il glorious victory. TIN guests were gone
from the Hall. 1t was {: lovely afternoon,
with Il soft west wind.
Never had June looked to such advan-
tagc as she did that evening at dinner.
There WAS a; lovely color in her checks. IL
new light in her eyes: her voice had Il
joyous ring: she seemed to Inc an incarna-
ton of pleasure and happiness.
Would not YOU young people like to go
into the garlcn:' said Mrs. Ellesmcre
the moment dinner was over. and they
obcycd her suggestion with alacrity.
LET us get into the boat" whispered
Dallas: and June gave II radiant assent.
Twilight w;s creeping on. all nature was
hushe,l: they might have been the only
two living creatures on earth. And, Tor
the time being. they would have been con-
tent to havc the world to themselves. To
night June knew the difference that the
society of another human being can make
to all life. to all maturc-kncw how it can
fill every moment with Il strange. heaven
ly rapture. married only by remembering
how licrting is the joy.
Neither seemed disposed To talk much;
both were possessed by a sense of happi-
ness. The moon came out and lit up the
uuWcfS on tut billk. luIlillS tutIi W
many colorcd jewels.
'IIow l wish this could Inst forever"
murmurcd Dallas. Ill last. bending Il lit
tie toward June.
She smiled and sighed. The smile WAS
for content. the sigh for regret.
Suddenly an uneasy Scrnplc came over
Dallas. Was he not acting Il traitors
part to Tum-.rom. who would never have
I,,,, .J;.l,,.,1 Ii, IA human l,rinp. ni,.rhf
he not. instead of making love to this fair
girl on his own account. 10 he pleading his
Cousins cause? lit WAS extremely rcpug-
nant to him. hut the better side of his ma
turc was awake Tonight. And any
thought of marrying June himself WAS ont
of the question. Some day he would he
Il haronct. with IL fair income: not, how
ever. in all probability. before he was
getting gray and well on in years; he had
several brothers and sisters. he had debts.
A peniilrss wife for him. therefore. WIS
Il luxury not even To he contemplated in
the rcmotcst manner. Tom-lucky chap.
-lad ITO factor 10 consult save his own
willard the lady's.
'You were not serious the other day"
Dallas asked June. when You said that
you did not mean to marry ON:
For IL moment all Jumc'S sense of hap
pinrss vanished: Il cold pang swept over
her. She had forgotten that Tom existed.
"Do not let lis talk of hilu.' She said.
with II little gesture that conveyed dis
gust more cxprcssivcly than she was
aware OF.
mot much chance thought Dallas.
"for Il man TO whom IL woman feels like
that" He was almost ashamed of him
self for the satisfaction which her action
,, Ia, sfIAX -, .,,t,tI.l ,n, chat
first night at .linncr!!" he said, with {, half
smile. after II pause. Il never felt so
small. You turned your back on me all
dinner time. and. though | WAS watching
my opportunity like II cat TO speak to You.
YOU never gave it me until. by Il lucky ac-
cident. YOU dropped your fam under the
table. "
.lunc SMILED pcnsivcly. How we'll she
remembers that evening". how She likes Ia
think that he noticed her behavior.
why were you so unkind:"
II wanted not to like you.' she an.
swers. simply. II made up my mind tlat
would not"
"lIut You have changed it now. have
you not" looking into the depths of lel
eyes.
"Yes. She says.
Why should She lie to him? All. she
has indeed changed. if there ever was {:
time when she did not like him. But was
there ever such Il time?
H." he says. tcnderly. have neve
changed from the first moment that 1 saw
you. / can't tell YOU how much hurt
WAS that you would not be friends will
me. The only time l ever thought yo,
felt Il little hit kind to me was that even
ing of the dance. DO you rcmcmber:'
Does June remember! Az. most trul,
does She.
She bends her head in answer.
Il WAS dying to ask You again, but
dared not. l thought it WAS best not"
BEST for You and best for me-
quotes June. smiling.
"Only for me-" he II was no
such IL couccitcd ass as to think it coul,
make any difference to you. And then
imagined that you belonged to Tom"
June makes an impatient movemen
through the water with her fingers. Sh,
cannon bear any allusion to Tom tonight
.How divincly YOU dancc.' saws Du]
las. Then. with Il sudden inspiration
"Why should we not jhave IL waltz To
night? My aunt plays dance must
charmingly."
"Oll. yes" echoes June. her eyes kind
ling with pleasure; ''lct us ask her.
Dallas takes up the Sculls, and in tw,
minutes they are at the landing plac,
He jumps out, secures the boat. and give
her his hand.
Slowly and silently, for very joys SAX,
they move together up to the house.
Mrs. Ellesmcrc is rousing herself froi
her slumbcrs.
''.Auntie.'' says Dallas. laying a cares
ing arm round her shoulder, I'VE wal
you to do something for u.s."
'W,hat is it, dear boy:" she asks. wit
n fond glance at his good-looking youn
face, consent already implied by her ton,
wont you come into the hall md pla
us one of your delicious waltzcs? We ar
dying to have a turn"
"Of course I WILL" she answers, smi
ing, and feeling extremely gratiied at til