The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1904-12-29

house. keeping with her the two boys.
, and 10, and letting Arthur 20. rs pro-
posed. 10 school.
but sbc was not lonely. as she had
feared. Her next-door neighbors pre-
vented that.
"Come In and read 20 me for an hour
or two. now and then. my dear" Mrs.
cffndle had said.
And. when the girl had come. she
would not let her & or, when the
snow was on the ground. the doctor
would call for her to take her for a
ride. and In the evening they would
come to her or make her come to them.
what should | have done but for
your she said one day to Mrs. Grin
die. You have been like IN own dear
mother TO me-"
And Mrs. Crindlc listened, half In
pleasure. half In pain.
Perhaps" she thought. Il might
have been her mother had not Clay
already selected for me a daughter"
Clay called himself a brother TO the
lonely. orphaned girl. He wrote Mar
joric long accounts OF her-how he
hoped n day they would be friends.
Yet, when he knew that day was about
10 dawn. he shrank back.
The knowledge came with the ~.
nouncemcnt from Marjorie that she
was coming home sooner than she had
hoped. and In the early May would
pay n visit TO his mother.
In May! And April was half
The o had long melted, but he and
Eva still had their frequent rides.
lie had an engagement with Eva on
the afternoon that he received the let
ter. AS they were driving along be-
meath the shadow OF the elm trees, he
drew Il from his pocket.
Eva" he said, you have been my
friend so long that I am going TO be-
speak your friendship for some orss
very dear To- me. This letter IL from
my future wife. VIII you read IT,"
\ great wave OF color surged TO her
face; her very heart seemed TO stop its
beating ms she stretched out one little.
ley hand 10 take IL from him.
Silently she read IL through, then
folded aud held Il out for him 10 take
again.
Il am very glad for you" she said
tn n quiet. measured tone.
Then their eyes met, and each rcad
down. down into the others soul.
God help us both" said the man.
And he turned the horses heads
homeward.
Three weeks later Miss Markham
arrived. She was n tall, qucenly WON.
an OF somewhat majestic stature and a
charm OF manner which attracted all
who came within Its scope.
mo wonder that he loved her."
thought Eva, as they met; "and-and
rif his heart did turn TO me for a lii.
tie minute, she soon Will win IL back
ngaia.'
But the human heart IL n strange
anomaly. nnd In these days Miss Marx.
ham watched her lover with strange
penetration.
lie urged upon Marjorie. as her stay
was drawing To an end, TO consent To
their speedy marriage.
She listened In silence. then looked
up L..J the pale. excited face. with a
little laugh.
Don't be foolish, Clay" she said. 81
have wanted 10 tell you. ever since |
carne down. that I thought II very fool.
tsh In us both TO cling 10 n sentiment
time has worn out. You see. I have
been away SO much. 80 long separated
from you'-there was u little choke In
her voice. but his dull car did not no
tee it-"that l don't feel quite the
same; and think I've guessed your
secret, too, Clay. and so It makes the
telling easier
A great light came into his face, but
she turned away as though II hurt her,
and for an Instant n heavy anguish
crept into her brave eyes.
You have guessed my secretl" he
repeated. after her. You no longer
love meI'
'If I loved, could I give you up. do
you thlnk?' she answered. mo. no.
Clay! I'll so back 10 the old. blind
father who needs me; but now and
then when I need n little rest, you and
Eva will let me come TO you. Will you
notI"
Heaven bless you!" he said. and.
raising her hand. he pressed his lips
with fcrvent passion upon II.
She smiled. II was the tirst time his
lips had touched her with such nre.
Don't say anything till l am gone"
she whispered. EFT may seem strange
70 her"
And. man-llke. he never guessed that
a deeper reason lay beneath-nevcr
guessed that her own wound was as
yet too deep TO see her rival win the
happiness she had lost.-New York
Daily News.