The Red Cloud chief., 1898-11-25

in celebration OF the solemn betrothal,
which hospitality I CURLY declined;
and, after a few whispered words with
Helen, who seemed quite dazed or
stupefied, l began my long walk home
irritation that vas little in harmony
with the glorious stiffness Of the
moonlit ocean and cliffs.
l awoke the next morning after n
restless night with the comforting
consciousness that / had made an un-
mitigated fool Of myself, tied myself
for life to a girl of no position. edu-
cation. fortune, even beauty, for whom
In cold blood ! really did not care q
straw, while my heart was irretrlev-
ably bound to another.
I wandered about the mountains
alone all day, and in the afternoon
turned towards tho farm. but when
1t came within view a feeling Of I'm
patient repulslon made me turn back
at once. That night | wrote a short
note to Helen. telling her l had 10
go to England on business, and on
the following day / crossed the chan
mel.
General Stopford and his niece, I
heard, were occupying their town
house for n few weeks. did not call
on them, but the day after my arrival
l had the pleasure Of meeting Miss
Stopford In the row. looking the pic
ture OF blooming health and beauty,
my rival in devoted attendance.
She called me at once to her side
and In an imploripg whisper begged
me to come and see her that after
noon, that she would be at home
to no n but me. and had so much
to say to me. l refused point-blank.
and took my leave almost at once, de-
termined never voluntarily to come
within range OF her appealing eyes
again. Yet, somehow, the very mex.
day found me on the generals door
step, asking IL his niece were at home.
l was ushered into a dim boudolr,
and, when my eyes became accustomed
to the light, l saw the young lady
sitting beside Lord Sandmouth's son,
and toying with a bunch of roses that
he had evidently Just presented.
II beg you PARDON I said, with
a low bow, as the pair started to their
feet. Il think l have made a mis-
take; 1t was yesterday afternoon you
were to have been 'at home" and
alone to me, Miss stop;ord. Was 1t
not?"
urn,f oyrn- ~-rAta I'm ,xn1lntAI, ~
Mrs. Casey urging her to hasten the
preparations for our marriage. Three
weeks later / returned to Donegal, and
n lovely August morning, without
settlements. trousseau, presents or the
orthodox breakfast, ] was married
In the whitewashed parlor where / had
first seen my bride less than three
months before with her apron full OF
early potatoes.
The ceremony was u%neventful until
the conveyance that was to take us to
the train came numbering and jolt
ing up the grassy drive, and Helen
rose to say good-by to her grand
mother.
"You-you will write to me, and
let me see you sometimes, granny
she said timidly. with a slight break
In her voice.
Certainly, II you earnestly wish II,
dear child" answered Mrs. Casey
brushing the girls cheek with heI
bristly chin; but at the same time
Helen. I have been thinking seriously
over this matter, and have come to the
conclusion that 1t would be better II
you did not return to the humble
scene Of your childhood, for reasons
you will understand later. You are
entering into a world Of pleasure
wealth. excitement: l am passing away
here, In solemn u~ndisturbed commun'
ion with my Creator. My days arc
, short on earth, as you know, and
would rather not have them broke,
into by intercourse with a world
, have forsaken forever. You must not
, dear child, think this decision harsl
, or unnatural. or that It Is dictated b!
lack of affection for you. No, no. IA
from It.; I will bear you daily In m,
, thoughts, and pray with all the unc
, ton Of my soul that you may be hap
I Dy I'LL pIOSpClouS III ycai hS" tos
Of life and worthy in every way OF tn
estimable gentleman in whose keep
ing | place you with ~unbounded con
idence today"
I bowed low to hide a grim smile
|, for, indeed, l might have been tn
s~orriest scamp that ever took a wife
, for aught the old lady knew to tn
contrary; and my wife. with a com
posed, almost callous countenance
4: responded, moving to the door
4 80 be It, granny; let this be good
by forever. then"
Q On the doorstep Molly wal waiting
4 to ding her arms around her nurse
child in a noisy embrace; and as W
I numbered down the hill her shril
blessings. mingled with the rattle o
y hobnailed heels and handfuls Of ric
striking the back OF the carriage
made q deafening noise.
When It was over ! withdrew m
haoda from INV aara and said IN m