Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1898-01-22

She sat dOucR, leaning her head on both
hands.
more than a kindly liking.
The revelation 70 her was this: II War
ing really loved Mary, or any other woman,
how was she TO endure it' The mere idea
filled her with despair. The terrible con-
vietion grew upon her that she loved her
rejected lover with all the warmth and
tenderness OF her fine rich nature, not IN
any half-hearted way, but glowingly, com
pletely. She loved him for the straight
forward, honest affection which made him
hasten 10 offer her all he had in her hour
Of need. She loved him for the delicate
consideration which had guided him In
their brief engagement, for the forbearance
with which he had released her, for the
frank kindliness with which he had offered
her his friendship when she had refused
his love, for the stand he had made against
his own follies and weakness. for the reso-
luton with which he had cast of his atti.
tude of lover to herself. She admired and
loved his quiet. unpretending strength. his
sun-burned face. his big brown eyes that
could say so much II they chose. Never
again could she touch his hand without an
electric thrill. She loved him! loved as
she never OeIOTS dreamed sue COulu love,
AND All In win; H haA paw en- SA~ hover
forever. She was from his life a thing
apart; and he was, or could be, her whole
existence. Yet, through all, she did not
regret that she had rejected him.
"Then, l should nave misunderstood him;
we should have drifted apart, as we shall
now: but at least I do him justice. All
that remains to me is TO hide my own feel.
T.. l. zlAly -. "a R-ZA anI b81 him
goodbye forever with tolerable composure.
Forever! All. It Is a hard, cruel fatey'
She was not Of the sentimental, weeping
order Of young ladies. She sat, very white
and still, and thought It all out, and re-
solved on her own line Of conduct. She
would be a kind, pleasant friend while
they were together-and after! Then, in
deed, would come anguish and ~despair-e
brief parting, probably 70 meet no more OF
earthl
Slowly she gathered herself together, and
| collected her ideas. Then she wrote a long
gossiping letter to Mrs. Fielding, telling
all the events OF their little world. Thi,
accomplished, she gazed critically in the
glass, smoothed her hair, and looked fol
her hat, hoping to efface any sign Of emo
ton before meeting any Of the party.
II so happene that Waring asked foI
1 one or two part lar soSgs that evening
Mona U them easily and sweetly.
You have not had any bad newsf" ne
asked. coming over to stand by the piano.
mo. What made you think soy
"Ah, that / cannot tell! You look st
pale, there was Something do not know
what-in your voice that made me fame.
you were-not so bright as usual
Why. Mr.. Waring. are you growing
fanciful' You will be writing poetry next"
Perhaps ! mayi Do you and Miss Black
never sing duetst"
"Oh. yes! We have one or two. Wonld
you like US to sing together"
Eyes; very much"
Come, Mary, and try oh, Were Thor
in the Cauld Blast ] do not think we car
do much in this way"
When this was over, Mary was called &c
play chess with her host, Kenneth stole
away to enjoy a private SMOKE. and Men:
and Warning were effectually tete-a-tete.
"You are ~wouderfuiiv better. Mr. War
ing" said, Mona, who for once was doing
nothing, and sat ensconced in a deep arm
chair which was well in the shadowy re-
cess Of the window, away from the lamp,
near which the chess-players were seated.
Waring, somewhat weary after his walk.
lounged on the sofa, from which, being
still more In darkness, he could see her
profile against the ~moonlighted window.
"Yes"-suddenly, as II out of his thoughts
that is exactly what I have been saying
10 myself. In short, / feel as II 1 were
staying here on false pretenses. I ought
TO be on the move"
IL am sure my uncle does not think sol"
"Nol He has been wonderful kind,
though / have been troublesome enough
to tire you all outi'
"we are not quite tired out yet"
'Oh. you and Miss Black are a brace Of
angels: and, in short. l must stay till my
arm Ia as strong rs ever. which Donaldson
| promises il shall be. A right arm IS Inn
! portant everywhere. but particularly In
| my new abode. Do I like the idea of re-
turning, Oh, I sha'n't be sorry to be at
work again: but the mere going win be
awfuliy hard. mean I shall be very sorry
TO say goodbye to you all"
They were both silent for a few moments
| after this. Then Mona asked, In q low,
dreamy sort Of voice
What Is the chief work on q ranchef"
There Is so much that Is chief, I hardly
know which comes first. There are cattle
and sheep to be looked after; and fields
1--WE have wheat nelds) to be plowed, and
sown. and reaped; and horses to break,
etc, etc"
"You have plenty to do thsns"
'-0h, plenty; and than, lots Of sport
such heaps OF desr, and birds. and bears"