The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1905-03-24
Her Pc NANCE.
BY Susan S. Ellsworth.


She entered the train at Liverpool
ttreet. tall girl with a figure which
her ShapeleSs OVerCOat could not spoil,
and wearing with an effect that went
far to condone it, Il Hat. wide hat with
dropping veil.
She watched the jostlng crowd in
the gloomy station for Il moment. but
suddenly she started up and pressed
her face against the window in an en-
1eaVor to follow someone's movements.
Apparently disappointed, she leaned
back again in her corner. but her rev.
erie was broken. She glanced care
Iessly at passing people, and as the
train was about to move out, sat up
and pulled off her glove.
She had just slipped off her coat
and thrown 1t across the seat opposite,
when man appeared at the door of
the carriage. and their eyes met. For
moment each of them was absolutely
still, then the girl dropped her hands
and stood up, and the man entered
the carriage.
Nancy" he exclaimed, "Who would
expect to see you here!"
Then it was you | caught sight of in
he crowd" she returned. He was
holding both her hands.
Nancy" he said again, What are
you doing here? Where are you go
ing? Isn't tomorrow the day. Why,
child"
How can yon say that. when I've
met you?" she asked with little laugh
and a droop of her long lashes. He
dropped her hands and glanced UNI
easily about the carriage.
Let Inc sit next to YOU" he sug-
gested.
"Oh, very WE'LL" she responded, with
splendid indifference to the curious
looks that annoyed him: and when he
sat down beside her. she laid her hand
on his arm With an effectionate ges
ture, Il didn't really shope to see you,
you KNOW" she said.%"I just thought
1t was barely possible that something
might bring you to the station and
when l caught glimpse of you didn't
really believe 1t was you. | thought
my desire to see you was making me
imagine u likeness. But that you
should get right into this carria ge-
why, Ralph. l honestly believe it is a
special providence!"
| Perhaps 1t was" he returned. why
didn't you write to me?"
The girl smiled at him. You see,
Ralph. l left 1t to fate. I've made such
a mess of things myself that l simply
let it alone, and here you are. Good
old fate!''
| He looked at her curiousy. Now.
| wonder" he began, and then broke
off Where are you going. and how
do you happen to be down here? Isn't
the wedding tomorrow or am Il
Tomorrow at noOn," she said
Where have you been?" he asked.
Staying with school friend" she
answered. And I'm going to Newn-
ham now"
"Humrh!" he commented, looking
keenly at her. And are you 50 very
eager for it?" Her eyes fell before his
] The train stopped at wayside sta :
ton and two of the other occupants
Of the carriage got out.
Nancy" he said at last, Nancy
turn round!" With her color deepen
ing, she obeyed. but her eyes stopped
at the top button of his coat. Look
up" he added.
4 Say. pleased" she murmured def
antly.
! Nancy" he went on" year age
you said you wouldn't marry me-
We'll. so far" she suggested
He caught her hand.
Nancy, are you sorry?" he asked
Her eyebrows curved meditatively
above her downcast eyes. but she said
nothing. Because he went on, "tc
study at Newnham-it doesn't seen
quite you line, you know"
We'll. l decline to stay at home
and watch her pouring out my faith.
ar's coffee at my mothers breakfas
table, objected the girl with spirit
She doesn't know what mahogan,
means. You know that 1t is impos
sible, Ralph. What is there here TO
me to do? ! can't visit my friends
Indefinitely, and-it's year ago tina
you asked me to marry YOU
you've been away from home 81.
weeks" he said, ignoring her lowered
tone. why didn't you write 10 me
Nancy?"
Heavens! but isn't this ba,
enough?" she demanded. Il made vi
, my mind that If l saw you enroute b,
any chance l should tell you-oh, yol
!; know! I hadn't the courage to writ
: you. know treated you shamefully
Ralph
. Il agree with you perfectly" he said
! grimly. But you used 10 handy heart
, as II they were tennis balls. though,
- though, that you We're engaged to tina
man-@hats his name? The one VIII
comes to your house every other Sun
{ day--Crawford. you know" The gir
looked up at him with narrowed eyes
How do you know anything abou
:. Mr.. Crawford?" she asked. Has Flor
z told you?.'
y well, she mentioned him. the ma
admitted "
.Lately?" demanded the girl.
Yhe other night. when I was calm