The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1900-02-15

10 and fetch me glass of water"
Lyndall said at last.
Gregory went out to find 1t. When he
put 1t down at her side, she merely
moved her head in recognition, and he
went back to his seat and his old occu-
patton. Then En- moved slowly away
from the window. and through 1t came
In spotted. hard winged insects. to play
round the lamp. till. one by one. they
stuck to Its glass and fell to the foot
dead.
Ten O'clock struck. Then Lyndall
rose. gathered up her papers and let
tiers and wished Gregory good night.
Some time after EN- entered. She had
been sitting all the while on the loft
ladder and had drawn her "kapje"
down very much over her face.
Gregory was piecing together the. bits
Of an envelope when she came in.
II thought you were never coming"
he said, turning round quickly and
throwing the fragments on to the floor.
you know l have been shearing all
day, and 1t is 10 o'clock already"
'T'm sorry. did not think you
would be going SO soon." she said in a
low voice. ~ ... 1..,.r. -. .. a.
II can't hear what you say. What
makes you humble SO? Well good
night, EN-"
He stopped down hastily to kiss her.
II want to talk to you, Gregory"
"Well, make haste" he said pettish-
Ixv f,,II
sitting here all the evening. Why
couldn't you come and talk before"
Il will not keep you long," she an
swered very steadily now. 81 think,
Gregory, it would be better if you and
I were never to be married"
"Good heavens! EN-, what do you
mean? l thought you were so fond of
me? You always professed to be.
What on earth have you taken into
your head now"
81 think it would be better" she said,
folding her hands over each other, very
much as though she were praying. =.
Better, EN-! What do you mean?
about nothing! You must have some
reason for it, and I'm sure I've done
nothing to offend you. l wrote only to-
day to my sister to tell her to come up
next month to our wedding, and I've
been as affectionate and happy as pos
sible. Come, what's the matter?"
He put his arm half round her Shout
der very loosely.
81 think it would be better" she an
swered slowly.
"Oh, WELL" he said, drawing himself
up, eff you won't enter into explana-
tons you won't, and Pm not the man
to beg and pray-not to any woman,
and you know that! If you don't want
to marry me l can't oblige you to, Of
course"
She stood quite still before him.
"You women never do know your
own minds two days together, and Of
course you know the state Of your
own feelings best, but it's very strange.
Have you really made up your mind,
Emp
Eyes"
''Well, I'm very sorry. I'm sure I've
not been in anything to blame. A man
can't always be billing and cooling;
but, as you say if your feeling for me
has changed, it's much better you
shouldn't marry me. There's nothing
so foolish as to marry some one you
don't love, and i only wish for your
happiness, I'm sure. | dare say you'll
find some one can make you much hap
pier than could. The first person we
love is seldom the right one. You are
very young. It's quite natural you
should change"
She said nothing.
Things often seem hard at the time,
but Providence makes them turn out
for the best in the end" said Gregory.
You'll let me kiss you, EN-. just for
old friendships sake" He stopped
down. you must look upon me as a
dear brother. as cousin at least. AS
long as | am on the farm | shall al
tags be glad to help you. EN-"
Soon after the brown pony was can
tering along the footpath to the daub
and waffle house, and his master as he
rode whistled John Speriwig" and the
"Thorn Kloof Schottische."
+.
The sun had not yet touched the out
stretched arms of the prickly pear
upon the "kopje." and the early cocks
and hens still strutted about stiffly aft
er the nights roost. when Waldo stood
before the wagon house saddling the
gray mare Every now and then he
glanced up at the old familiar objects.
They had.a new aspect that morning.
Even the cocks, seen. in the light OF
parting. had a peculiar interest, and
he listened with conscious attention
while one crowed clear and loud as It
stood on the pigsty wall. He wished
good morning softly to the Kaffir wo-
man who was coming up from the huts
to light the fire. He was leaving them
all to that old life and from his height
he looked dawn on them pityingly. So
they would keep on Growing and COM
ing to light fires, when for him that old
colorless existence was but dream.
He went into the house to say good
by to EN-, and then he walked to the
door of Lyndalps room to wake her,
but she was up and standing in the
doorway.
$50 you are ready" she said.
Waldo looked at her with sudden