The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1899-02-09

council has wisely lett alone. 4 OF SuCn
a conversation as Preston contemplat-
ed atmosphere and surroundings Sere
everything. He chose a shady seat
that overlooked the lower OF the two
ponds, across whose surface some
swans and ducks sported. In the back
ground there was a rustic bridge cross
ing a miniature waterfall, TO border
which pretty rockery had been con-
structed. Had Preston been a scien-
fist, he could not have studied more
to the subject in hand.
After freely cutting up the gravel
with his walking stick, an act which,
instead of Disgusting, only further be-
trayed his agitation to the girl, he
preached the topic nearest his heart.
Suppose. Mary, that you loved some
one-a man, l mean-very deeply and
were not sure that love was returned,
how would you act?"
Diver in icy Serpentine on winters
morning never plunged so daringly.
The sentence wound itself off like a
reel. She looked up surprised, but
sighted the passion in his question,
and sought the depths in herself
whence alone the answer could fifty
come.
Il am afraid, being a girl, should
simply have to wait in silence"
We'll, suppose you were /, then
man-and loved girl with every atom
of your being. Suppose it choked you
to keep quiet and yet you dreaded her
possible answer like the plague. Sup
pose-but there, you can see how feel.
What would l not give to know that
she shared these feelings too"
Preston spoke with such ardor and
warmth that the misunderstanding
which ensued was not in the least
extraordinary. Mary had never heard
such speech from mans lips be-
fore, and, knowing nothing of Preston's
other affair, she took it to refer to her.
self. She was a modest girl, and her
first disposition was to fee. Totally
unread in those popular weeklies that
minister to the needs of sentimental
misses, she could recall no guide TO
conduct in this difficult crisis And
she cared for Preston-cared for him
far more deeply than she had ever sup
posed. In this moment of revelation
her heart stood clearly forth and she
let it speak for her. In a voice thin,
quavering, yet rich with sincerity she
replied:
Suppose she loves you, after alp"
Preston could not mistake the per-
sonal infection in the tones. He
turned sharply round, and caught her
eyes before they went down. There
was an open declaration in them that
yet in no way shamed her womanhood.
What had he done? How should he act
now? He might point out the misun-
derstanding, but it would be terrible
for her; she would feel that she could
never look him in the face again. For
her honor's sake, he must not retract.
There were doubtless other consider
atoms at work. Perhaps he was sick
or the turmoil Of his emotions. Perhaps
he had begun to suspect that ideals
were unmarketable, and that that other
great love of his would never have full
fiillment. Perhaps he was tired of chaff-
about his butterfly propensities, and
yearned for engaged responsibility
Perhaps Mary's eyes that moment at.
tanned depth Of blue he had never
seen elsewhere, and her heartfelt words
had laid rosiness on his lips unknown
there before. The inner facts we shall
never know; the outer were that Pres
ton caught her hand in his, and poured
into her ears a confession that FIVE
minutes before had been intended for
another girl.
Next day the whole of our little world
knew that Arnold Preston was engaged
to Mary Culliford. A considerate friend
of his posted us with the news as we
went into church, so we were delight
fully independent of the sermon for
source of reflection. In the light of the
details herein set forth, midsummer
madness seems light term to apply to
the affair; but from quiet observation
of the pair concerned, | opine that
heaven sometimes connives at a mar