The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1902-06-20
LOST AND WON.

.Then that is your final decision
1 Alice?" @
/ 1T is. I will not be circumscribet
IN my choice of acquaintance by an,
mans appreciation or aversion, eyeI
though l am betrothed to him. y
Alice Thornton loved society, and
like all its lovers, had strong pro
pensity for the admiration of its mos
popular devotees of the opposite sex
Laurence Gerald a few weeks preyiou.
made his appearance in that town, anc
being reputed wealthy, and possessing
an elegant manner, with a handsome
form and countenance, had gained an
easy access to the fashionable circle.
Henry Clifford, the lover of Alice
had marked the particular attention
bestowed on his betrothed by the new.
conner, and had made special INQUIRIES
i in regard to his character. He could
learn nothing definite. but was con.
WINGED that Lawrence Gerald was not
what he was represented to be. A
number Of times he had warned Alice
to be careful how she encouraged his
attentions.
Hayward and willful, Alice had dis.
regarded his caution, and now the wily
tempter began to wind his coils around
her heart-not that tie love of Alice
for Henry Clifford was on the wane,
but there was a fascination about the
other which seemed irresistible.
| Many of both sexes, even when
united by a bond held sacred by the law
of both God and man, have come in con
tact at some time with one who has
| charmed the thoughts away for a season,
from loyalty to their companion and
the attachment of home. ...g
i III you are not jealous" continued
Alice, 'you would have no objection to
my accompanying Mr.. Gerald for a
ride Tomorrow. You did not inter-
pose any objections last week, when l
\ accompanied Mr.. Walsh in his drive.
Besides, there is always man servant
present"
alice" replied the lover, II do not
wish to tritle in this matter. If should
! permit you to receive the attentions of
| one whose character is. to say the least,
suspicious, l should not be doing my
duty to either you or myself; and that
! Mr.. Gerald's character is suspicious
have no doubt. From what l have
| heard he is no fit companion for u lady
Of my love"
"Cnly a stratagen1 of yours" lightly
replied Alice, ito have me discard him
from my train. But it is of no avail.
must have more than hearsay to con-
vince me"
Then you are going tomorrow"
Yes" was the pettish answer, ..and,
more than that shall henceforth con
slider myself free. shall not be ham
}pered by promise that confers right
on any man to dictate what I shall or
what | shall not DO"
Alice said her lover, "th:nk of
what you are doing. I do not wish
you to deprive yourself of the pleasure
Or confine yourself to my society. I
have never been an exacting lover and
have now only your welfare at heart
You are very considerate," was the
reply; 'but my intellect is not compre-
hensive enough to appreciate it.
hope the next time you call you will be
in a less contradictory mood"
II imagine that is a hint that my
presence is no longer endurablcpn an
swered her companion, in return to the
last sentence.
IF you wish to interpret my mean
Ing so, was the unfeeling rejoinder.
Good evening, Alice
Good evening, Henry; call the day
after tomorrow, and will give you a
description Of to-morrow's entertain
ment." 81
He made no reply, but departed.
Alice saw him pass down the walk. re-
El1fnnd n to- 4 hn,,
sofa, and was lost in thought. She
felt that she had been hasty in dis.
solving her engagement; for, in truth,
she really cared more for her lover
than she had been willing to admit.
Her feeling for the other man she
knew was similar to,the emotion with
which we listen to Il new piece of
Understanding while the novelty
lasts, but no sooner is that gone than
the power of attraction is. over. Her
|willfulness had caused little breaches
between them before, but she had never
failed, when they met, to bring him to
her side again and etfectEa reconcilia-s
tion. She trusted that the present breach
would terminate the same way.
The nextday Alice went with Mr..
Gerald but did not enjoy herself as
much as she anticipated. On return
Ing home she resolved that note
should be sent to her discarded lover
the next day inviting him to call, when
she would make, a clean breast OF it
and break off her connection with Mr..
Gerald. The note had been dispatched
but half an hour when the evening
paper arrived. Opening it she ran her
eyes down the columns and came to the
following notice:
Sailed this morning. at II a. m. THE
steamship Morning Light, for San
Francisco. Several residents from this
town We're among the passengers. Mr..
Henry Clifford, very unexpectedly to
his friends, resigned his position in the
Custom House aud took passage. May
fortune attend him in the Golconda of
the West. Y IL. \; 3.S
Ten years passed. The spacious
salons Of Mrs. Rexford were filled with
the elite of the town. The hostess was
promenading the room. leaning on the
arm Of a tall man with Il bronzed com
-plexion. BY, her attention she APP
Ipeared to be very much interested IN an
account he was givingg of a marrow es-
cape from a band Of robbers while pass