Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1900-10-08

| Their bought nor acquired. And she
found the melody of trained voices at
the opera sweeter than the triple note
of the meadow lark, the scent of hot
house roses more delicious than the
perfume of wild clover.
! And so, too, she discovered entrance
ment in the homage of Eldred Wier.
| Not that in his case there was the pos
sibility of comparison. She had never
been touched by the attentions of her
former acquaintance. There had not
been one who attracted her. When
she came east, she was quite heart
whole and fancy free. But missiles,
the gentlest of missiles, we'll directed,
did their deadly and delicious work.
Perhaps these would not have been
SO promptly effective, even if hurled
by Dan Cupid's unerring hand, had
DerOnda realized that she was the
bright particular star of the season.
Had any one told her that her piquant
golden brown beauty, her unconscious
air of aloofness, her repose begotten
of prairie life and placid daily duty,
had won for her a higher need of ap-
probation than was usually accorded
would have opened her serene gray
eyes wide in smiling incredulity. All
the girls had admirers. Almost all the
girls had lovers. But not one of them
had such a lover as Eldred Wier.
One month passed, two, three. And
always there were the same tributes,
always there was the same direct and
personal Difference. Theaters, dinners,
dances, flowers, bonbons, gloves, after
noon visits, rides and drives. Always
the same low, intimate tones, the al
lurement of imprisoned eyes. Then,
suddenly it seemed, it was time to go
home. Time to go back to the dull,
little town, to the rooms over the
depot, to the horde of clamorOuS chill
dren.
Eldred Wier was the last to leave
the Pullman. His worshiping eyes de-
voured the beauty of the shy, ex-
pectant face. His hand held hers in q
close and tender clasp. He bent his
head. He spoke in tone that thrilled
her.
You know. you must know, l love
you. You know, could l have my way,
l would never let you co.
Then the train began to move. He
was gone.
Five years later there was a ire
mendous rush of travel westward. The
Nebraska town of Wymore was one
of those caught in the vortex of i'm
petuous pleasure seekers, although
there were many health seekers, too.
fu Of
orado or the golden glory of California.
A splendid summer day was waning
when a snorting train disgorged it's
myriads on the depot platform.
young man, nervous and haggard of
aspect, helped an elderly woman to
alight With scant show of patience
he hurried her into the waiting room.
Il tell you I've got to leave you
awhile" he declared testify. i've a
letter to present to one of the eastern
officials of the road. His private car
is due here now. I'll be back as soon
as l cam
Needless Of her whimpered objec-
lions he hurried off. A tall, beautiful
young woman, most charmingly gown :.
ed, attracted the observation of the
throng as she came down the waiting
room. She noticed the woman sitting i
alone and evidently in distress.
Can | be of servicew she inquired.
pausing. t
The traveller in apparel too elaborate /
and youthful for her years. looked up
into the gentle face of the speaker. Her
wrinkled cheeks were chalky under
their rouge, and her false curls and
bonnet were awry.
Mop she shrilled, needless Of hear
ers. mo one can help me. l brought
it on myself. Me, worth half a mil
lion, to go and marry that young whip
persnapper, that leaves me here like a
bale of goods! Not even a drink of
The young woman brought her +
glass of water, set straight the disor-
1ered hair and bonnet and famed the
agitated old face, talking pleasantly
the while.
81 am here" she said, ito meet my
husband. He is one of the directors
If the road. There, his special has just
come in. He is coming this way" She
rose eagerly. There is some one with
him." She took step forward. "Wel-
come. WILL" as the stately man who
had fastened to her side bent and kiss
ed her.
IF it wasn't for this young lady,
Eldred"-
The resentful wall was cut short by
4 sharp exclamation. White as death
Eldred Wier stared at Deronda Leigh
.on. She looked from him to the shriv-
eled old creature on the seat So this
was why he had never written, had
never come. This was why she had
'ancied her heart was broken until "a
1etfer man drew nigh,