The Sauk Centre herald., 1904-05-05

moment when question or great I'M
| port arises or a circumstance bearing
direct influence upon our destiny will
present itself, and upon one of two
courses we are compelled to decide.
On this critical occasion two enemies
with in us are struggling for suprem-
acy; one, presenting to an exaggerated
degree our trials and tribulations, the
other displaying in tempting comparl-
son all the alluring attractions, while
that little censor, conscience, pulls
and tugs until it has succeeded in ad-
justing all it's fibers and strings to its
own satisfaction.
This trying moment dawned upon
Horace Trentshaw, and while 1t was
extremely difficult to Danish the vision
of Elizabeth from his memory, with
all her piquancy and the congenial
companionship she offered him, never
theless, he obeyed the promptings OF
| the guiding voice within. On the fol-
lowing morning, after Horace's deter
mination upon the course he intended
to pursue, Elizabeth received the fol-
lowing note, the contents Of which
ran:
"My Dear Miss Magruder: Fand
! to my regret that shall be unable to
attend Mrs. Glascow's at home this
evening, forfeiting in consequence an
opportunity of seeing you. If agree
able, and if you will permit, shall
| call this afternoon between fouI and
| five Sincerely yours, '
HORACE S. TRENTSHAW." 3
Elizabeth's answer to this was cor
dial and affirmative. Waiting for her
expected visitor, she fell into a pleas
ant, dreamy sort of reverie and Horace
was the object of her meditations.
Elizabeth had received attentions in
Vulnerable since her entrance into the
Cupid had planned a more complicated
game of hearts," in which she was
destined to play an important role
The time had arrived, for she fully
realized that the feeling of friendship
she had evinced for Capt. Trentshaw
was being stimulated into a deeper
sentiment.
Elizabeth was startled from her
journey into dreamland by the sharp
sound of the electric bell ringing
through the house, and second later
the butler brought card upon tray.
''It was a good idea of yours" said
Elizabeth, 'to think of calling this
afternoon-really delightful surprise,
but, first, We'll have tea, and then we
can talk. Strange how this harmless
beverage will loosen the tongue and
provoke all manner of condolences"
Horace smilingly assented, but his
feelings were undergoing the greatest
conflict. Oh, to catch that dainty white
hand and to tell her with all the sin
cerity he possessed of his ardent love
for her!-just for one rapturous mo-
ment, to take her slight, graceful figure
in his arms, and pour forth all loves
rhapsodies, and wait her response.
Would there be one? he wondered,
and yet, he felt intuitively there
would be.
Miss Magruder." he said, "there is
a story want to tell you"
"Oh, do, Capt. Trentshaw; am al
ways so interested in true stories Of
real life"
"A bosom friend of mine and a chum
during my academy days wrote me a
most pathetic letter the other day, tell
ing me something of his life, much of
which, however, | was already aware
of. The. latter part touched me deeply,
there being such ring of genuineness
and sincerity in it. Jack was boy of
small means, but he made friends
readily, and was a genuine favorite
wherever he went While completing
his senior term he became acquainted
with man of very great influence and
rank in the army. The friendship and
interest of the older and prosperous
man of the world towards Jack, then
just about to enter the service as first
lieutenant, were calculated to fatter
him. He decided to avail himself of
his friends invitations to his home.
During the occasion of one of these
calls he became acquainted with the
daughter of the house, a bright young
woman, though far from blocking
and fully ten years Jacks senior This
acquaintance gradually ripened, and
before long Jack and Ursula Livingston
became engaged and were married.
Ursula's love for Jack was largely
compounded of jealousy, which she
poorly concealed, and lack of harmony
soon manifested itself, and life became
unbearable to both. Jack soon real
lied that what he had mistaken for
love on his part had been only a fasci-
nation of the hour. Life together grew
more and more discordant, and finally
they agreed to end all hypocritical
show Of affection and to endeavor to
live. upon merely a friendly basis.
This plan, Jack wrote, succeeded
fairly well, but Ursula's temper broke
out violently on many occasions, and
she spent half her time visiting her
relatives and friends. Meanwhile Jack
chewed the cud of discomfort and was
the victim of melancholia. Now for
the part in which he solicits my coun-
sci. 1t appears he has become ac-
quainted with, young woman of un-
usual merit, and her companionship
has proved so c6ngenial that he pur-
sued it, and soon became dependent
al