Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1900-04-13
CHATTER Ny1.

and put ont her hand.
They stood in the open air. Sir John
took her profiercd hand and RESPONDED
to her stcrcotypcd erecting. by the time
he had lone 50 lie had recovered his pres
cicc of mind.
What an odd thing to meet yom AT the
door of this church," lc said, rather ner-
vously. do you know that my brother
WAS married here this morning?"
"Yrs: I WAS in the church."
Were you? How glad l am l did
not know it, almost in%voluntarily.
There was II little pause; then Vera
asked him il he WAS going to Walpolc
Lodge.
"Evcntual!y: hut ! have come back
hero to look for something. My brother
has lost IL little Rlissia leather case: lie
thinks he may have dropped it i'll the
church: there were two compound notes
in it. | am going in to look for ii. Why.
what is that in your hand: l believe
that is the very thing"
Ill picked it mp" stamnrrcd Vera.
She began searching in the pockets of
the ease. II did moi, think there WAS
anything in it. Yes, here are the notes,
quite safe"
She took them out and gave them TO
him. He held out his hand mechanically
for the case also.
"Thank YOU: YOU have saved ne the
trouble of looking for it. i will take ii
back TO him ut once"
But she could not part with her treas
nrc; it WAS all she had got of his.
1.-The letter case is very shabby" she
said. crimsoning with painful confusion.
III do not think he can want it at all;
it is quite worn out
Sir John looked at her with IL slight
surprise.
''1t can lie very little use to him. One
likes sometimes to have II little rc,ncn,-
braicr of tl,oSc-of pcoplc-onc has
known: he would not mind my keeping
it, i think. Tell him-tcll him l asked
for it," The tears were cry near her
voice: she could scarcely keep them back
ont of her eyes.
John Kynaston dropped his head. and
Vera Slipped the little case quickly into
her pocket.
Would You mind walking Il little way
with me. Ncra!' lie said, gently and
very gravely.
She drew down her veil and went with
him in silence. They had walked half
way down Wilton Crescent before he
spoke to her again: then he turned to-
ward her, and looked at her earnestly
and sadly.
church. Ncra!"
II wanted 10 think quietly IL little" she
mlirmulcd.
claimed. with Il sudden bitterness. at
length.
What do you mean!" She siam.nerct.
"Oh. child. | see it all now. How
blind | have been. Nh. why did you not
trust me. love? Why did You fear In tell
me your secret? DO you mo-, think that
/. who would have laid down my life
for you To make YOU happy. do YOU moi
suppose | would have Strivcn To make
your path smooth for yom:"
She could not answer him: til" kind
words. the tender voice. were too much
for her. Her tears fell fast and silently.
Tell me-" nc said. turning To her al
most roughly. tell me the truth. Has
he ill-trcatcl You. this brother of mine.
who stole Won from mo, and then has
left you desolatr!"
NO. no: do not say that: it WAS never
his fault at all. only mine: and he was
always bound 10 her. He has been every
thing that is good and loyal and true to
you and to her: it has been only Il miscr-
able mistake. and NOW it is over
What are you going to do with your
sclf:' he said to her. presently. what
use are you going TO make of Your life!''
Il don't know" she answered, drcar-
lily: II suppose 1 shall go back to Sutton.
Perhaps l shall marry"
But not me-"
She looked up mt him pitcously.
Listen, child" he said, eagerly. elf
1 We're to go away for Il ycar. and then
come bach to you. how would it he? oh.
my darling. l love YOU so deeply that |
could ever be content to do with but half
your heart, so that l could win your
sweet self. 1 would exact nothing from
you. love, no more than what you could
give me freely. But l would love YOU
so we'll. and make your life so sweet and
pleasant to You. that in time. perhaps,
you would forget the old sorrow, and
learn to be happy. with Il quiet kind of
happiness. with me; ] would ask for no
more. Vera. let me come back and claim
you in n year."
II cannot do it: do not ask me- she
said. distractcdly. "Your goodness to me
half breaks my heart; but it cannot be-
why no.. child? In IL year so much
may be altered"
Il shall not alter"
NO: but. even 50. you might learn tc
be happy with me-"
lit is not that; yon do not understand
I dare say l could be happy enough; thai
is not why l cannot marry you."
".NNhy nor. tlcn?"
II dare not" She said. in Il low voice
He drew i'll his breath. "-Ah!! he said
between his teeth, lis it so bad with yor
as thaty'
She bent her head in silent assent.
''That is hard" he said. almost to him
self. looking sloomi!y before him. Pres
emily he spoke again. ''Thank you
Vera,' he said, rather brokcnly. "Yor
are a brave woman and a true one. Many
would have taken my all, and given INT
back only deception and falseness. But
you are incapable of that, and-and you
foor vour own sfronpth. ia that itY0