The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1904-04-07

mer to it's winter aspect, robed in GRIM
son and golden hues of the forest,
when a telegram called Hugh away.
Promise me you will wait here a
few days longer. will be back in one
week, and. then you must give me an
other promise" Hugh said, holding
Vera's hand lingeringly, while saying
good-by for a few days.
Mo n'i"ht Int nse end CAIN, bathed
the valley and little village, showing
the road like silver ribbon winding
away into the forest, and i1tensifying
the towering heights of the surround-
Jig mountains, against the background
of the blue vault of heaven studded
with stars.
The sweet old story had been silent
ly told by Hugh and Vera to each
other, while they laughed and jested,
or fell into dreaming silence during
those happy days.
Promise, sweetheart" Hugh whis-
pered, marveling at the splendor and
beauty of the flushed face before him..
Come right in, Vera. 1t is entirely
too cold to be out on that porch" Mrs.
Heresford called out.
The promise was given in the old,
old way.
ITO remind you of our last walk to-
gether," Vera whispered, giving Hugh
a bunch of Galix leaves they had
picked that afternoon and which she
mad placed in her belt.
Driving away, Hugh held them with
passionate tenderness, for the somber
beautiful leaves had lain gathered close
to her heart, and must have caught
some of its heat and fire.
On coming back one week later the
cottage was closed, and it's inmates,
Vera and her aunt, were gone.
Nor could Hugh discover where to,
nor did any message from Vera ever
reach him.
Months later he learned they had
gone abroad Mrs. Heresford had
wealth, and liked to travel.
Hugh GRAVITY made his preparations
to follow. But fate stepped in.
All the papers had the notice Of the
sudden death in Paris of wealthy
Miss Vera Heresford, with the usual
words of praise which Hugh never
read.
The blow had not impaired Hugh's
health, nor prevented him from follow
ing the routine of his every day life.
He looked after his executive bust
ness with mechanical precision, ate,
slept and talked to his friends, and out
wardly, except that he seldom smiled,
there was no sign that he was heart
broken man.
There was always by his strict Or
ders a bunch of Galix leaves on the Ii
brary table, as that evening when he
passed back and forth in the luxuri-
antly appointed rooms, and recalled
the vanished scenes of two summer:
before.
The butler announced that the coupe
was waiting and he took out his over
coat --.-~
Faust" was being sung at the opera
that night. and Hugh had asked no
one in his box.
There seemed to him there was close
affinity between all perfect music, and
his memory Of vibrant, mellow voice.
which rendered Lamartine's verses
with such exquisite modulations, while
the stars had begun to peep out and
the breath of the mountains struck the
forest.
Hugh took a Galix leaf from the
bowl and passed out into the hall
The opera house was crowded when
Hugh entered and sat down at the back
of the box.
The curtain dropped on the inimit-
able first scene of the inimitable
drama, and listlessly Hugh lifted his
glasses.
my Cod" he said, letting them
drop.
With shaking hand he raised them
again.
The girl he was looking at was TO-
cusing the attention of most of the
lorgnons of the opera house.
She was rarely beautiful. Her eyes
were glorious in their intensity and
feeling, but her manner was cool and
Indifferent.
She was with Mrs. Stanford Barton,
a recognized leader in the world So
cial, and warm friend of Hugh Gran
ton, in spite of her open sendeavors to
marry him off to vivacious niece OF
hers.
Il must show you the best-looking
man in town, Vera. That's his box
over there. A charming fellow, horri-
bly, rich, and a perfect bear. He al
ways comes late" Mrs. Barton said,
leaning forward to scrutinize Hugh's
avant scene.
Vera was listening abstractedly to the
tall man, when Kitty Barton entered,
bringing a frou-frou of laces, much
laughter and chatter, and her escort
along with her.
Vera drew back and stood facing
Hugh, who, pale to the lips, could only
whisper hoarsely, Vera, Vera, Vera -
while crushing her hands.
Then you never got my note?" Vera
said breathlessly, after some moments
Of agitated explanation.
eyes darling auntio diad IN Dar;.