Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1902-02-07

] NELrlE'S LOVER
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M
AS 1t alone vanity which
WNW thrilled Hal Windsor's breast
$50 and brought the sparkle to his
eye as he assembled the steps of Mr..
Rodman's handsome mansion, and de-
liberately pulled the bell? There was
no need Of haste. He knew all that
would follow. Now, in a moment, the
ponderous door would be swung open,
and the liveried servant stand ready to
receive his hat and cane, then usher
him with o%bsequious f0rmality into the
large and brilliantly lighted drawing
room. There might be many there to
welcome the rising young barrister, but
OF one smile he felt assured-the SMILE
which never failed him, which the fair
daughter Of the house always wore for
him. She would come forward, a
slight, graceful figure, with outstretch-
ed hand, which, holding a moment in
his own, he knew would gladly permit
Its Imprisonment forever. She was an
heiress, too, her fathers only child, and
though Hal would have spurned the
idea of marrying for money, the accom-
paniment would by no means be unde-
sirable to the furtherance of his ambi-
tious aims. Therefore, If vanity it is
which swells his manly breast, it is not
altogether objectionable as he steps in
side from the cold, frosty air into the
luxuriant light and warmth, and the
panorama, as viewed in Imagination,
becomes reality. Then voices break
upon the scene and we have a play
only there is no audience, and it is the
play Of life.
$50 glad to see you, Mr.. Windsor"
says the host, coming forward with his
most genial air. 1--WE are quite alone
tonight. Ne1ie, Mr.. Windsor Yes,
the smile is not wanting, nor the little
outstretched hand sparkling with jew
els, and into the dark eyes leaps a light
which it is all too easy for the man of
the world to read. Why should he not
speak tonight? he questions himself.
Is not this tender feeling which thrills
him love, or if not the a~ll-consuming
passion as depicted-the passion. heav-
en- help him, he once wasted Oh a wom-
ans g~lance-surely it is a more endur-
ing and a better thing. Here all would
be smooth waters: no turbulent current,
no waves to lash against Il hopeless
shore-not one, tits true. to share his
ambitious dreams, but who. sitting
quietly in her well-appointed home,
would glory in the reflected luster OF his
glory. So when they two had wandered
off into the mushroom. her fingers list
lessly playing with the keys OF the in
strument before which she was seated,
he suddenly stopped, and. pinion.ng
both little hands within his own, asked
her to be his wife. Aye, was he not
sure Of his answer? Did lie need the
gentle whisper which passed the trem-
bling lips, the low dropping of the fair
young head until it nestled OH his broad
shoulder, the look of exquisite happi-
ness which transformed the girls face
into a beauty scarcely human, since it
was love, pure and unseltish, which
brought the change.
"What have l DONE" she said at last,
looking upward into the handsome eyes
bent upon her, Ito deserve such happi-
ness? o, Hal, how could you, so grand,
SO noble. stoop to me?"
"Hush, child" he answered, and as in
two mirrors he saw his own life. with
Its hours of pain and passion. side by
side with the clean, pure record of one
who called herself unworthy his choice,
a flush Of almost shame dyed his cheek.
So they parted until the morrow, and
the sweet young lips cling for IL mo-
ment to his own, and Il whispered God
bless you!" falls on her ear, and once
again Hal Windsor goes out into the
night. But in his heart it is all sum
shine. Somehow this girls faith and
love have wakened stronger feelings
than he knew We're there.
So he enters his room, where his SER
want has prepared everything in rcadi-
ness. and fire and lights are awaiting
him. On his table lies Il letter. Not
for ten long years has he seer that
writing, and his face pales and II NUT
tered oath escapes his lips as lie takes
the crested envelope into his hands. A
faint scent pervades the air as he does
so, the odor as of crushed violcts. Time.
place, all are forgotten as that subtle
perfume carries him back IL half-score
years, and he stands, II man of %. i'm 81
woman's boudoir, and she, it's owner,
smiles at his ap%proach-a woma
whose years equal his, but w~hoses.;aau-
ty is so glorious, SO ~transcendent, that
years are forgotten. One does not think
of time within that regal presence, and
with that smile she lures him 10 his
doom, and with that smile she Stays
him. 1t is still there. calm and pitiless.
when she tells him she has sold herself
to Mammon, and when, i'll his frenzy,
he pleads that she will let him work.
toll, gain name, and fame, and wealth,
it v%anishes, only to break into a little