Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1904-10-07
WHILE WAITING FOR A
BUS.
BY a. j. Mcister.

WI - 80 80 W. ..Z 49, A -
Though. perhaps. it isn't altogethel
fair TO tell the story, yet 1t is really quite
too good TO keep.
Besides, it's recital at this time 10
particularly apropos.
She came from Devonshire, just where
I did not learn. Tive things rac
my attention to her. In the first place,
she was extremely lovely, and the man
who cannot appreciate a woman's at
Effectiveness is not much or a man.
Her hair wasn't like spun golu,
but ii was q beautiful FURNISHED brown,
and when the sun caught its wavelets
the effect was all the more allur1ng.
Her eyes were big, brown and bright.
They beamed with intelligence ana
goodness. They remined me or WHIT
tiers couplet:
How brilliant and mirthful the hght
of her eye,
Like a star glancing out from the blue
of the sky.
He was rather an Indifferent young
man sc far as good looks went, put l
suppose what he lacked In that respect
he made up in brains.
They stood on the pavement of a
crowded London thoroughfare, walt
ing for a bus.
"Oh, Henry, here comes our bus
now" she said in tremulous but very
sweet tones
Henry knew it. He wasn't blind to
that fact. Yet he was blind to the fact
that several interested people lounged
by and too eagerly drank in the con-
~versation Of the couple.
Let it come. There are others, ne
replied, somewhat recklessly.
Why, Henry, you are using slang"
she murmured, turning a pair OF mildly
shocked eyes upon him.
"By no means" he FASTENED to reply.
'Intone the last clause of the sentence
as l meant it and you will see that you
have erred
Her lips moved; she was repeating
the sentence. Then she smiled bright
ly.
"You are quite right" said she.
II thought you would think So he
smiled back. DO you know that I
have something to say to you, Helen"
The rich, warm color that had suf-
fused her velvety cheeks fled for an
instant mi then rushed back again.
There was a little pathetic quaver
In her voice.
YES. Can't you guess?"
She shook her head negatively.
NO" she faltered.
IT.
Paper, sir?'
Yes, yes; give me half a Dozen"
~ DNS 0oAo CA S~Nb
somewhat reproachfully, I'VE must take
this bus. Papa and are wait
Ing for us"
''well take the next one" he an
swered desperately. ION an omnibus
/ should have no opportunity Toto
and besides, when we get home your
father and mother, for the time being,
ty Of
ooh, Henry" she cried agitatedly.
It's true he said in a tense voice.
you know, Helen" he went on hur-
riedly, that ever since L can remem-
Der l have at all times expressed a
most fervent'-
Henry, If we don't take this bus
now, mamma will never forgive me.
You know that 1 promised to be with
her at 4:30."
"Fervent-fervent. All, yes, Helen, a
most f~ervent ~fervency. No, / don't
near that dear, l mean l have ex-
pressed at all times a most intense love
for you. Your beauty, goodness, grace
yourself in it's cntirety-all have
buoyed me up with constant hope. My
love for you has been the n bright
guiding star of my life, Helen, with
out YOU
ooh, Henry" she murmured, unde-
cided whether to cry or smile, and half
doing both, how can-can-we miss
klldl JUS ! Ohotl IllIlh -
Yes, just think" he said excitedly,
"just think how overpowering my love
for you is! Without o 1 wouldn't
care to live"
glove, he's got it bad" said one of
the loungers soto voice to his COM
panion.
Hes having a struggle with him
self" said the other. But Henry heard
them not.
Il have tried in vain to tell you how
much / loved you ever since we came
TO London" Henry continued.
The ordeal was having a disastrous
effect upon him. He was getting
warmer and warmer every minute, and
the starch in his collar was disappear
Ing like ice under the rays Of a hot
sun.
Helen evidently began to pity him.
A tender look crept into her eyes.
Poor boy! she murmured. "And do
you love me so much?'
Il couldn't tell you in a thousand
years how much love you, dear
IF your love for me is not a passing
fancy"
Passing fancy! My stars, It's cast
iron reality. / can't forget you. Will
you be my wife, Helen? Tell me now
or never, Helen"
He was very much agitated now, and
he looked 1t.
IF / give o an answer will you
promise to take the next 'bus?"
Yes, a million OF them"
She leaned forward and whispered
something in his ear. / did not learn
what 1t was, but 1t made Henry the
happiest mar in all London at hat
particular moment.
He almost broke into a cheer.
No doubt he wanted to hug and kiss
her then and there.
A moment later he helped her on to
the bus, and they were whisked away.