Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1902-03-28

never Wluu, ud. Turn IL IOlQeC
side to when you hand it in. and no.
body'll notice." suggested her husband.
The musical girl laugh sounded again.
LET ME carry it. Aunt Martha"
With a thrill Of satisfaction 'Rastus
saw the nakpin-covered plate change
hands. The slim, quick-stepping figure
was ahead of the others now. AS she
reached the gate he seized the coveted
opportunity, and moved forward, awk-
wardly snatching off his hat.
Good evening. Miss Holland. Let
me open the gate for you."
Never did gate latch SO long refuse
to lift; and when she had passed
through was it not to pause and turn
back with a pretty "Oh, dear!!" How
he blessed the rose branch that caught
her skirt, and so held her for his re-
leasing. "Thank you," she said de-
murely, looking at him with the moon
light in her eyes. Old Nell came up mt
Il brisk trot, but his mother was alone,
sitting very erect and holding the reins
far apart.
The Blake girls couldn't come. Miss
Hetsey had a bad turn last night, and
Miss Harriet didn't want to leave her.
So you see you could have rode down
we'll enough. l know you've spoiled
your new shoes a-trottin' through the
wet grass cross lots"
well, you won't have to ride home
alone" said 'Rastus, happily, as he
helped her out. What We're new shoes
in comparison with that Interchange
of glance from n girls eyes. II don't
believe the Harlows We're very much
surprised after all, mother. When 1
got here every window was lighted.
We're early. too"
One by one, in twos and tllrees. and
merry family loads, the guests arrived;
and there was talk and laugh and inter-
change of kisses among the women; an
awkward standing aloof or scraps of
neighborly chaff among the men. until
the elder masculine element drifted to
the Kitchen, the younger to the long
hall, and the sitting-room circle was
strictly feminine.
Lou Harlow, bustling about among
the guests was nor busily hostess-like
than Mrs. Harlow, herself. "Sarell
never mistrusted until the last minute,"
she was telling every one. "When we
suggested her fixing more'n usual for
the evening, she said she just knew
something was up"
Yes, it vas a real surprise until
xt,-, ~ @,,.ol>o>.4n 1 ~,.-y YY.-p--- co.
usually quiet face very animated. II
didn't suppose any one would remem-
Der that Will and l had been married
ten years to-day. It's real pleasant to
have ones friends so remembering"
Mrs. Green, taking inventory of the
tin things on the table. smiled benignly
upon the speaker. She had found bur
one dipper among the pile. and natur-
ally felt the prestige of being the only
person who had given an unduplicated
article. Mrs. Dodgson. the local mer-
chants wife, began talking at her ell
bow.
How nice Lou Harlow looks to-
night. That lace at her throat is very
becoming. I hear something about her
and your 'Rastus. How's that?"
Mrs. Green drew herself up stifly.
"Folks can hear a good DEAL" she
said.
"'Rastus looks rather young to think
of marrying. And Lou-why. she's
let me see." Mrs. Dodgson screwed her
face into arithmetical Fuckers. she's
three years older'n 'Rastus! 1 remem.
her she was born the same year as nv
Ameret."
"Oh, we'll. it's the fashion NOWADAYS
for men to marry older'n themselves"
Mrs. Green answered, with a blundness
born of remembrance that Mrs. Dodg-
sons W son had welded a woman
ten years his senior-a widow with an
overgrown daughter just entering her
teens-and that the affair was very dis
pleasing to his people.
But her neighbours friendly inouisi.
tiveness set her into a new train of
thought. What If Lou. Harlow had
been the Il whom 'Rastus had fam
cied? Before her rose a vision Of heavy
bread. cake smelling of s~aleratus. care
less housekeeping-which she knew to
be the rule at the Harlow homestead:
she thought of what it would be to live
day after day with Louis gigslins
laugh. her persistent chatter and good
natured o~fficiousness! Looking across
the room at one who but a few hours
ago she had characterized as that fit
term little Holland girl" she noted
with a stirring of pride akin to what
she felt in 'Rastus the trimness of the
black-gowned figure. the quiet manner,
the delicate contour of a face whose
prettiness did not conceal decision and
capability. 'Rastus was talking with
her now. his attitude marked by that
new dignity which his mother had no.
ticed of late. Something in the turn
of his bend reminded her of his father
when he had come counting out Pemi-
gewasset way, where she lived as a
girl.
When came a homeward movement
among the guests. Mrs. Green paused.
talking in the open door on her way
out. Her quick eyes had recognized
two young figures at the gate. and she
turned her back upon them, barring the
progress of Mr.. and Mrs. English.
II have enjoyed it all so much; hav-
NvHt% ~,-,~ NEx-e UN--Ns-a-n