The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1898-07-22

''How amusing! Nothing Of the sort.
The usual attraction | assure you. -
Mrs. Fairfax.
"Gambling or invalid's natural
aversion to chill, damp fogs'
Mrs. Fairfax' repeated Miss Yer
ney once again, with just a shade of
emphasis.
gave it up.
"a very charming person, I said
"You admit it:" and her voice held
tiny note of triumph.
Don you?" l replied wonderingly.
"She is talented pretty, agreeable
and'-
"A widow" put in Miss Verney.
eyes but her husband was hardly
more than an acquaintance. He Went to
India, you know, shortly after their
marriage, and was killed. Do you not
think her fascinating:"
Eyes undoubtedly she is a pleasant
| companion.
"And I'm lonely bachelor man'' !
remarked alphabetically.
! She turned to me with a smile. "For-
give me- she said kindly, ''for re-
minding yc.l Of your pitiful condition.
l only meant to show you that [ guessed
the reason tor your sudden change OF
plans.
"Your intelligence is beyond re-
proach. But what made you think Of
Mrs Fairfax?''
my dear Mr.. Aynsley - she laughed,
"you forget last season.
1 tried to rccollect.
"The episode at the Cartons; the Mel
ba eht at Covent Garden" she re-
minded gently.
"You take great interest in my wei
fare said with a laugh. Il am very
glad to notice it," I added with a
glance at her.
"By the way" I continued after a
pause, "where is Arthur??''
Il never trouble about Arthur" " she
replied quickly, ''he is so wrapped up i'll
his books and studies that even here at
Monte Carlo see very little OF him."
l was amused
"You have nothing against Mrs. Fair
fax?' l suggested.
Nothing whatever, she replied
frankly. Il like her immensely"
This helped Matters l thought.
"You think she will make a good
wife?'
Admirable" said Miss Verney,
calmly surveying the bay. "Her ex-
perience will be invaluable. y
l caught sight of couple that had
just appeared On the farther end Of the
terrace.
"You will come to the wedding?'
A slight tinge Of color appeared Oh
Miss Verneys cheeks as she turned to
me.
elias it reached that stage?'
glanced at the couple and noticed
they were arm in arm.
Il believe so.
There was slight pause. Miss Yer,
ney played with the tassel again.
"Then l suppose l must tender my
congratulations she said at length
Il believe it is customary among
friends, replied, with a glance al
her. She had allowed her eyes to fal
on the ground.
r "You know she is very wealthy?"
added.
"You have been most fortunate il
your endeavors," :" she replied in delibor
ate tones II trust you'll be very
happy"
The couple were now opposite t.
where we were sitting. So engrosset
were they in conversation that the,
, had not noticed us. felt an anticipa
!, tory shiver Of enjoyment
, ~ do not enter into the question, -
said. "Look!"
= She glanced up in surprise.
! "Arthur and Mrs. Fairfax" sh
whispered.
! "He is wrapped up in his studie
:, again. 1 remarked. II fancy he ha
T taken the lady eyes as his subject"
Miss Verney looked at me reproach
fully.
"And you knew this all the timer"
'I'm afraid So Arthur confided i
! me some months ago in London, and
have occasionally amused myself b
helping him. Take the Melba night, fo
y instance.
"Was that on Arthur's behalf?" sh
asked wonderingly.
I nodded. 1t occurred to me ono
- again how extremely charming Mis-
Verney looked in white.
There was silence for minute q
so. Arthur and Mrs. Fairfax passed OF
=, Of sight.
sit wasn't the gambling" remark
:, ed at length.
8 Miss Verney made no reply.
= "Nor an invalid's aversion to th
chill. damp fOgs," went on after