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

she SAT d0un, leaning her e on both
hands.
more than a kindly liking.
The revelation to 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-
victioI 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 to 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 W follies and weakness. for the reso.
luton with which he had cast off his atti.
tude Of lover to herself. She admired and
loved his quiet, unpretending strength, his
s~un-burned face, his big brown eyes that
could say so much If they chose. Never
again could she touch his hand without an
electric thrill. She loved him! loved as
she never before dreamed she could love,
and all In vain, Hc hod put off tho lover
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, should nave misunderstood him;
we should have drifted apart, rs we shall
now; but at least l do him justice. All
that remains to me is to hide my own feel
fnro Iha oho1l nauar nitv ,,n\ orI hid hin,
goodbye forever with tolerable composure.
Forever! All It is a hard, cruel fatel"
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 afterl Then, in.
deed, would come anguish and despair-a
brief parting, probably to meet no more OF
earthl
Slowly she gathered herself together, and
collected her ideas. Then she wrote a long
g~ossiping letter to Mrs. Fielding, telling
all the events of their little world. This
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.
1t so happene that Waring asked foI
n or two part lar soGgs that evening
Mona sung them easily and sweetly.
You have not had any bad newsi' he
asked, coming over to stand by the piano.
"No. What made you think soY"
"Ah, that ] cannot tell! You look Sc
pale, there was something's do not know
what-in your voice that made me fancy
Won yyara-Dot On hriobt no ne11al
why, Mr.. Waring, are you growing
fanciful' You will be writing poetry next"
Perhaps l may! Do you and Miss Black
never sing duetsf"
"Oh, yes! We have one or two. Would
you like us to sing together3"
Eyes; very much"
Come, Mary, and try oh, Were Thop
in the Cauld Blast do not think we car
do much in this way"
When this was over, Mary was called to
play chess with her host, Kenneth stole
away to enjoy a private smoke, and Mon,
and Waring were effectually tete-d-tete.
"You nre wonderfully 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.
Warning, 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 If out Of his thoughts
that Is exactly what I have been saying
to myself. In short, l feel as If 1 were
staying here on false pretenses. I ought
to be on the move"
IL am sure my uncle does not think sop
mo! He has been wonderful kind,
though / have been troublesome enough
to tire you all outp'
1--WE are not quite tired out yet"
ooh, you and Miss Black are a brace of
angels; and, in short, I must stay till my
arm is as strong as ever. which Donaldson
promises it shall be. A right arm is i'm
portant everywhere, but particularly In
my new abode. Do I like the idea of re-
turning! Oh, ! sha'n't be sorry to be at
work again: but the mere going will be
awfully 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 a low,
dreamy sort Of voice
What is the chief work on a ranchep"
There Is Sc much that is chief, 1 hardly
know which comes first. There are cattle
and sheep to be looked after; and fields
1--WE have wheat fields) to be plowed, and
sown. and reaped; and horses to break,
etc, ETC."
"You have plenty to do then"
oh, plenty; n then, lots Of sport
such heaps Of deer, and birds. and bears"