Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1898-06-23

BILE time when almost everyone seemed
to have turned against her, untii thers
came a friends voice, a helping nanu'
wise counsel and protection help IN
her time of bitter need. And yet, that
was not love-merely friendship.
Mrs. Packenham.' you are the last
person | expected to meet! / had not
heard that you had returned from Ire
land?"
Turning sharply, she saw Mr.. Cleav-
land standing facing her, Dereck y
grave between them. h noticed now
he had altered, how the .Outhful
had gone from his face, and how the
| deeper lines only made it look more in-
| teresriny than of old. The hair, too,
was lightly touched with gray. but the
eyes had the same kindly expression as
at the moment when she had rlost
needed kindness, and the hand held
! out to her was that which had helped
her in the hour of her utmost need.
Il came back a few days ago, n
have made a little s~ketch-for ms
mother" she explained, finding 1t nara
to keep her voice at its ordinary level,
while to him it was like gentle music.
Mr.. Cleavland came to her side \
looked at the drawing.
Poor Dereckw he calculated. 'The
tragedy of a life thrown away
Tears were in her eyes as she put the
| sketch into her small portfolio and
turned to 90. but the lawyer walked
silently by her side.
"You are a busy man." Afra re-
marked. feeling that she must say
! something, for the burden of silence
between them was growing too heavy
To he borne. IL Fan be idle now"
Il try to employ an empty life with
Interests outside of it, he returned.
Mr.. Cleavland, walking by her side,
thought that Mrs. Packenham looked
strange in her widows weeds, though
they were of the least obtrusive char
acter-strange in her ~sedateness, the
self-possession springing from her In
tercourse with a larger world.
II mean to spend the winter in Flor
| ence,' she told the lawyer. DO you
ever go abroadg'
They were approaching the gate now,
and the dainty little carriage was with
in sight. A desperate feeling came TO
the man; he appeared to realize that II
he parted from her now ii meant part
ing forever.
He stopped abruptly.
IF | visit Florence. will you-can
you-?' He paused and laid his hand
lightly upon her arm.
Their eyes met, and his clasp grew
frmer. Mr. Cleavland drew Afra to-
wards him.
II will come If you bid me-" he said.
She turned and faced him-looked
into his eyes calmly and trustingly.
There was an expression in them he
had never seen there before. Through
the still air came the soft Ginning OF
distant bells. But more melody was in
Afra's voice as she spoke-sounding
sweeter than he had eyer thought 1t
before-when she said
Gomez
Really" was the verdict of the
world, speaking through Lady Groby-
Mrs. Packenham might have done
better. With all that money which the
Mount Sorrels insisted upon her TAX
ing. and her share in the mine, she
ought to have looked higher than a
mere barrister. But suppose she had
every right to choose for herself; and
then'-with a little shrug-"she has a
will of her own. and was bound to
have her own way. | hope that Mr..
Cleavland will be happy"
The world might have its opinion:
but Henry Cleavland himself had 70
doubt upon the subject.
Il. j. p.
Tho End