The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1903-03-27
answered in a low. firm tune.

Don't you, darling; don't you know
l love you and want you for a Wifei
Yes, / want a wife and a home!E
She had caught every word; it had
not escaped her that he wanted a wife
as an adjunct to-a home. And she re-
sisted no longer, but allowed him to
draw her face nearer and nearer, until
it touched his lips.
1t was really arranged, thought Mrs.
Ferris, signing contentedly in the other
room, where she had not missed a word.
After all Robertine was a sensible girl;
and she thought she would go in and
light the gas and receive the news.
Here are some matches, daughter"
she said inn%ocently. 1T will soon be
dark"
Wales arose bowling, and managed
after a fashion to announce the engage
ment.
Mrs. Ferris stood a moment as if
aStonished, then approached, smiling
~benevolently. Her little speech had
been well rehearsed. 81 am not wholly
surprised" she said. "Robertine is SO
frank that she has poorly concealed
from me her growing affection for you.
l am overjoyed that she has found one
so worthy Of h~er-and-and I congratu-
late you BOTH" Saying which she with
drew with unusual dignity.
MI. Wales remained an hour or So;
then he told his betrothed she looked
tired and he would not keep herup. He
lifted her hand and pressed it to his
lips. 1t was not a very beautiful hand,
but we know lovers and lovers have
kissed other acknowledgements
members whose only merit was their
scraWny. individuality. So Mr.. Wales
departed.
Robertine on retiring was extremely
wakeful, and tossed about so violently
that her mother reminded her of the
style of bed they occupied.
You are not crossing the channel"
she said severely.
Mother, haven't you really thought
of marrying Maj. Drummond? He is
very devoted; he has a neat income, and
stands we'll in society. There is moth
ing common about him. You might be
perfectly happy.'
why do you want me to marry him?"
swell, | have led Wales to under
stand that you are thoroughly indepen-
dent-in short, a very desirable sort of
mother-in-laW; that you have some in
surance-money, and also an offer of
marriage. Mrs. Maj .Drummond' sounds
well, mother, and nobody need know
the acquaintance began through his adj
vertisement for unfinished rooms"
III think about it, Robertine."
Dick Ethel heard the news the next
day when he called, Robertine being
absent.
II hope she may be happy,n he said
quietly, and went away. He repeated
this in a note to the girlherself, adding,
"Forglve me If ever | have hurt your
feelings. We may never-meet again,
but L pray God to bless you forever and
ever"
She wept over his written words.
"Forgive him! Dear old Dick, I was
not worthy of him. o dear, dear old
Il shall accept Maj. Drummond,"
said Mrs. Ferris at last.
"Ihat's right, mother. Really I know
no n Iwould rather you shouldmarry.
AS for the govt, it only troubles him
occasionally, and badness has come to
II shall do" said her mother sharply.
your dignity and stop associating with
common trash like Dick Ethel"
Robertine turned pale.
why do youneyer caLWilfred COM
mon.' mother?"
"Why? Well-even if he deserved it,
which he Doesn't wouldn't hurt your
feelings"
my feelings!"-with scornful vehe-
mence.
Bah! Because he has plenty of money
and dresses well! Mother don'tmention
Dick Ethel again, if you please! We
are none Of us tit to black his shoes"
Robertine was married in late Octo-
Der, and wore the white satin and
orange-blossoms over a heart that was
growing gradually lighter. She also
developed more sense than sentiment,
as the days passed, which, though not
displeasing to MI. Wales, surprised
him.
Dearest" he said one night early in
the honeymoon, you married me for
love, didn't your"
".Why, of course" she replied unhesi-
tatlngly. She was sitting on the side
Of the bed, and looked bewitching in
her rosepink wrapper.
And even if I had been poor, you
would have loved me just as well,
wouldn't you?n :
20, l can't TELL" she said with utter
candor. IF you had been poor, we
might never have met, or / might have
loved some one else, and you not cared
for me. Don't you see? Why it's moth
ing against ones lover that he has a lit
tie property. 0 no, l am quite sure it
is nothing against him!"
She spoke very earnestly at the close,
and then he laughed and, STOPPING, kiss
ed her cheek.