The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1900-09-14

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'NS"" dearly!'' she de.
ciared. Better than all the world.
except yourself"
"Ah, Nellie! you had almost forgot
ten your old uncle. You cali me fas-
tidious, but l wished to try you both,
and ascertain whether Arthur's long
sojourn IN Europe had not lessened
your attachment for each other"
Now for homily on the fraility of
FALLEN humanity! But what a poor
sentiment had it been. unworthy of
the name Of Love, could dear Arthur
and SO readily have forgotten our
vows of constancy"'
Consistency is myth, my child,
which the poet tells us lives in realms
above and rarely visits this change
full earth. But Arthur must have one
more rial His love has apparently
outlived absence. Will it be proof
against evil report-shame?'
Shame. uncle! said you?" and Mel
lies cheeks crimsoned as she clenched
her hands. SHANE! said you? Who
dares to couple that word with my
nalne?"
Listen. Nellie. to story of my
younger days, when l, like you, be-
lievcd in the truth of woman aud the
honor Of man."
Nellie seated herself OH low otto
4nan at his feet, and fixed her eyes
upon him to listen to his words:
Il was quiet, studious youth, de-
voted to books and to various expcri-
ments l was making in chemistry,
which. i'll those days, had the same
fascination for me it still possesses"
The back artv' whispered Nellie.
"Hush. my spoiled darling! Well,
even tile mysteries Of alchemy did not
shield me from falling deeply in love
with Il young lady, endowed with bril-
liant chains and accomplishments,
who captivated my impressionable
Imagination.
But the dazzling beauty and the
quiet student were unsuited to each
other sometimes left her presence
mentally resolving never to return,
after beholding her smiles bestowed
on some more favored rival. and yet.
II word, or even tone, would win me
back. and l was once more held in
thraldom powerless to break the
chains that bound NE.
II should tell you that Mr.. Fortes-
cue, Irene's father, had an estate sew
eral miles from the town where re-
sided, and one day l received a letter
fro-l her written in terms of unusual
affection--and in the faith that is now
swept away with my wrecked youth
l replied, promising to visit her on
the following day"
Mr.. Warneford paused Some one
had entered the adjoining room, the
footsteps hardly sounding on the rich,
softcarpet. He signed to the intruder
to rema there, half hidden by the
folds Of heavy curtains that fell be-
tween the two apartments.
well, unclew said Nellie, impa-
tiently. She had not turned her head,
supposing 1t was merely one Of the
servants entering to close the windows
for the night "And did you visit
Irene, as you promised?'
mo. my child-and had I done so,
what a different destiny might have
been mine, and that of one far tlearer!
/ was detained In town on some unex-
pected business until too late, but the
next day 4 set forth.
Just MS the train by which was
travelling was starting young and
pretty woman. with a little child in
her arms, and also carrying several
packages, entered he car where
was seated. and took place beside
me. The beauty Of the child attracted
my observation, and the young moth
err, who appeared stranger to that
locality, questioned me concerning
lie route, the several stations, and
the time we should arrive at an
important junction on. the line, where,
she informed me. she had to meet a
Western train by which to travel to a
distant State.
Il would gladly have enscor my
:
self in tile corner. revolving in my
own mind the meeting With Irene. and
rehearsing an apologize address to
dispel the Ominous frown imagined
gathered upon her brow. but this was
impossible, foT either the mother or
the child continually engaged my at
tention.
.'At length we neared the junction.
The passengers as usual. scrambled
out, each for himself, and the young
mother, with iier baby. was about the
last to leave, very few persons con,in-
uing the journey.
AZ z Il will just place my parcels in the
waiting room, sir, said she. OH de-
scending, and run back for the baby.
Ii j leave her there alone, shc will cry