The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1901-01-24

uer WIN nero teas, OF course 10 no
purpose.
Miss Stanton was honestly pro-
voked. Why upon earth should the
magnet fancy the silver churn? I
fear she very nearly snubbed the
reverend Arthur, but he seemed i'm
pe%rvious to neglect, and she dared not
be openly rude to Cousin James min
lister.
"What can I do?" she asked herself.
81 cannot stay here and see that idiot
who don't know a good thing when he
has it, breaking that foolish child's
heart, yet what excuse can I make for
leaving before papa comes homer"
In all her life Ida Stanton was never
so thankful for an invitation as for one
which came while she was worrying
over the situation. She had come to
the Corner for rest and quiet, and had
told no one her address,, so that the
letter, from an intimate friend in a
distant city, was a surprise.
81 saw Mrs. Stanton. on her way
west" wrote the friend, "and she told
me you were buried in hat out-of-the-
way country place. At this time of
year, such conduct on your part is alb
surd, and I don't mean to allow it, es-
pecially as I need you badly. Come
to me at once. John says we are to do
a lot of entertaining this winter, and
I want you ~dreadfully. Start imme-
diately, and wire me, at my expense, of
course"
The sincere regret with which
Cousin Jane and her husband heard of
Ida's intended departure was more
than counterbalanced by the express
sion of joyful relief which illuminated
Abby's face when she was told the
news. "Ah. we'll, it is better that she
should blame me-" Ida thought. "She
will forgive her dear Arthur the more
readily. And why should I .care?"
Nevertheless she vas so much upset
that she went for a long walk, in order
to put herself into tune.
1t was with no pleasant emotions
that, after she had tramped for a mile
or so, she beheld the reverend Arthur
advancing from the opposite direction.
Escape was impossible, but she felt
hat she hated him, as he fastened to
meet her with his hand outstretched.
IT am glad to see you, Miss Ida" he
said, as he shook her reluctant fingers.
"But you ought not to wander so far,
alone"
81 don't think there is any danger"
the girl replied.
"Better keep on the safe side. What
would you do if you met a tramp"
"Wish for a man to take care of me,
I suppose" she answered, fippantly,
and hen turned red with vexation as
she saw her mistake.
81 wish you would let me take care OF
you from this time henceforth," said
the reverend Arthur, eagerly.
Ida laughed, and shook her head
"You would find me a handful"
"Don't laugh; I am in sober earnest
I love you with all my heart; indeed
do"
Ida's face wa serious enough now
"No, you do not. You don't know me
at all, you have an ideal that isn't like
me IN the least. I am worldly, I an
selfish, the last m you know
whom you ought to marry. Fancy me
a country minister's wife! Why I an
not. e orthodox. I believe in the
Lord Jesus Christ, beyond that I an
sure of nothing, and I follow Him afal
off. I could not even join your church
And I do not love you, not the least
little bit. I love luxury, and I shall
never marry any but a rich man.
"Besides, youare so foolish that I have
no patience with you. Think how 70,
have treated Abby, dear little Abby
who loves you so. You made her be
lieve you loved her. and you won hel
pure little heart. She is better than
every way. You want me to thinl
that you love me, as if I could be such
fool. lam going away tomorrow. Aft
er I leave you will come to your senses
at least I hope so. Good-by." And sh'
walked off quickly in the direction O.
home, leaving Arthur Kirkland too
much astonished to answer, or indeed
to do anything but stare.
He was angry and hurt; his vanity
stung to the quick, and he told himsel:
that never had he been so deceived II
duyOue, anu llldlhCu 11CdNCA 1O1 Z
great deliverance.
A year or so later, when Abby
showed Arthur the beautiful wedding
present which her cousin had sen
them, he scarcely noticed it, and with
out saying a word he took from hi.
pocket a newspaper clipping which HI
handed her.
Abby read: "It is said that Miss Ids
Stanton, daughter of David Stanton
of the v. X. & @. r. r., is engaged tc
John Nelson, the Idaho mining mag
nate. The engagement isenot yet an
nounced, but neither of the partie:
denies it."
"Oh!" exclaimed Abby. "Why, he ii
one of the richest men in the United
States, isn't hep"
$50 reported" replied the reverend
Arthur. "Well, that is what she wants
Miss Stanton, I fear, is thoroughly
worldly"
Abby's eyes filled with tears. "Pleast
don't say that" she pleaded, then after
a pause: "Do you know I thought yor
were in love with her a year ago?"
Her Arthur smiled. "Did you? AS i.
she could be compared to you'll" AND
he really meant it. DE-
IMpPOVES MARCONI SYSTEM