The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1900-08-10
SHORT STORIES.
Mr.. DARBEY.s SECRET.

Ashley decidedly.
why, aunt?" asked the girl In sur.
prise.
For several reasons" responded the
spinster CURLY. I'm the first place he
is much too old for you. Why, he is
old enough"
For you. Aunt Jane?" quizzed Jen-
ME laughingly.
ITO be your father" finished Miss
Ashley. flushing at her niece's remark,
but taking no other notice of it.
HE is the better able to take care of
and to appreciate me. Besides, an ell
derby man can never refuse a young
wife anything she asks for" said Jen-
ME. gayly.
Hum" Miss Ashleys tone indicated
that she could contradict this state
ment if she but wished to.
well, what other objection do you
see. Aunt Jane?" Jennie asked, assum-
ing q meek air.
"All old bachelors" continued Miss
Ashley. ARE as settled in their ways as
q setting hen. You may try and try to
break 'em, but you'll find yourself beat
en- every time"
Why. my precious aunt, that is
positive charm in my eyes. I'm so
changeable and capricious myself that
I adore any one who can keep on in
the same Interchangeable way even If the
skies fall. The more of these settled
habits l discover in Mr.. Darbey the
more I'll adore him." And Jennie smiled
as sweetly as if she spoke the unvar-
nished truth. ANY other objections?"
Well" began Aunt Jane,-"a man Of
his age and wealth is apt to have had
entanglements-"
"Entanglements" cried the girl an
grily; 'how absurd! You know as well
rs 1 do that Alphonzo Darbey is as
straight as string and dreadfully hon.
orable. I'll never have cause as long
as live to be jealous. know. I'm sur
prised that you have such poor opin-
lon of Mr.. Darbey. auntie; I really
thought once that you had a fancy for
him yourself Now l feel so relieved
to know that have been mistaken and
that have not frustrated any budding
hopes of yours" And running out of
the room Jennie left her indignant rel
alive to digest her saucy speech as best
she might. The wedding occurred soon
groom was so devoted that when sen-
nie, a month after their marriage, coax
lngly said, "Alphonzo, dear. 1 want a
pony and a nice little phaeton." she
expected that he would smile indul-
gently and say, You shall have it at
once" Instead of this he simply said
"You have the carriage and pair, my
dear, and John to drive them, and must
be satisfied. You are far too precious
for me to allow you to risk yourself be-
hind pony, for ponies, although they
look very gentle, are sometimes very
vicious and dangerous"
Mrs. Darbey coaxed and even tried
the effect of a few tears, but he was
quite immovable. She did not abandon
her desire. however. although she stop
ped teasing and the matter was SEEM
ing dropped. One morning about two
his mornings mail st the breakfast Ia
Bile. He glanced at the contents Of his
letters carelessly until he came to one
which drew an involuntary exclamation
Of pleasure from his lips. His wife
looked up inquiringly. but as he was
quietly perusing his letter she asked
no questions and forgot to wonder what
pleased him.
After hurrying through his breakfast
he rose from the table. saying:
"Jennie. am called to the city on
business and will not return until night.
Have you any commissions"
She had none. and waited downstairs
while he ran up to change his coat;
then she kissed him goodby. saying as
he left her: "Alphonzo. you look 80
handsome I'm really proud of you"
mot half so proud or fond as 1 am
Of you, little girl" he answered. and
waving his hand in a parting salute he
Jumped into the carriage and was driv-
On to his train. When Mrs. Darbey
picked up, his coat in the dressing room
Q letter dropped out Of the pocket. and
as 1t was addressed in a woman's writ
ing curiosity prevailed over every other
feeling and she opened the letter. 1t
was as follows:
Dear Sir: Jess will be in front Of
stapleton's at 1890 Saturday. She is
handsome as picture and is yours If
ill can be satisfactorily arranged.-J.
r."
The young wife gave scream of an
ger. threw the offending letter on the
door and stamped on it. Then she be-
gan suddenly to dress herself. putting
on her handsomest street gown, while
hot tears coursed down her cheeks from
eyes that burned with indignation.
''To think that Alphonzo would de-
ceive me so!' she moaned; "but I'll
make him suffer for It," And calling the
coachman, who had just returned, she
bade him to drive her to the station.
Alas! she had forgotten her purse, and
in driving home for 1t she missed her
train and had to wait half hour for
another. And SO. owing to this delay
.nd Arc oroudod condition of the CITY