The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1905-10-13

w " cACeaS, tNe MOOT perfect,
and the champagne all that it should
be, the girls charming the pick of the
seasons beauties always found their
way to little Mrs. Norton's informal
dances: and last, but by no means
least, the larger proportion of the mel
were first rate walters.
through h long French windows
when opened on to Il lawn sloping to
the r~tverside-one or two. couples had
found their way into the cool. sweet
scented garden. gay with Chinese Ian
terms. the lights on the river cleaning
softly through the evening haze. While
the low murmur of the water formed
an accompaniment to sweet voices and
more manly tones.
.Ihey look like business, don't they?"
said pretty little Lady vi TO her nus
band. glancing towards a pair of tall
ngures. Il wonder If he'll propose to-
nlght-what do you say"
Given a sufficiently pretty woman.
a more or less romantic spot, and
there's no knowing how great a fool
a man will make of himself. especially
after supper, and when the ham
payne is as good as Polite Norton's.
The girls not bad looking, is she, VIZ"
he added, pointing to the tall, straight
f1gure OF Il woman. evidently too en-
crossed with her c~ompanion-a dark,
eager looking man, with the unmistak-
able carriage or a Soldier--;o pay any
attention to the notes and
Of the bystandcrs.
For my taste l think Angela Car
Isle too tall and big-altoeether too
much in evidence" said Lady vi. who
was a sparkling little brunette. 1T is
funny what so charming a man as
Douglas Lyle can see in her. BY the
by, | never rightly understood who or
what Angela was. Did Mrs. Norton
ever tell you where she picked up her
proteGe, Lioncl?"
Cousin, l believe" he returned la
conically. Il heard something about
her being nm h%eiress: nywa she's a
beauty, and Polite Norton is not the
woman to take up an angel without
evidence of her occupying a decent
position in celestial society. Come. VI.
It's too CAMP for anything out herei
let's go indoors"
The two figures at the bottom OF the
garden,apparently impervious to damp,
continued to gaze upon the river-the
Silvery Thames, that has seen innum-
cradle lovers come II go.
The water sounds dreary tonight"
said Angela dreamily. 1T always has
a peculiar fascination for me; it seems
SO exactly to give voice to everything
one feels
But you don'; want to voice any
thing dreary, Angela. You are the
very incarnation of life and laugh
teri"
Not always She answered in a low
voice.
Ee turned toward her quickly.
Something is troubling you, Angela:
you are not like yourself tonight. |
have so counted on this evening, dear:
SO longed for the opportunity to tell
you that which already you must have
guessed, now, when at last [ have
you to myself. find you changed, cold,
almost constrained"
Not changed" she said, "but-"
He Interrupted her.
What is it, Angela, that has lately
come between us? yoM. know, YOU mus;
know, how dearly, how fondly, I'iove
you. l a thought you were not alto
gether indifferent to that love, though
you have so often. SO cruelty denied me
the chance of telling it. Put an end to
my suspense, Angela. Answer me one
way or the other. Tell me here and
now, will o accept my love, my name,
become my wife.
The mist was rising from the river,
hoVerlng about them like a soft White
cloud and shutting out the lights, the
sound of the music, the soft laughter.
and a voices; they two seemed in Il
world apart.
The girl stretched out her arms TO-
ward the river. Her face. raised 10 The
cold white NOON. looked pale and wan.
She stood silent for Il moment and
then. with a quiet gesture, she laid her
hand in his.
YES" she said. Il will be your wife
But ever as she answered him she felt
a thrill akin TO fear run through her;
he was SO strong. so determined, so
masterful ever in his love, that it seem
ed impossible that he could ever be
tolerant of weakness. of indecision;
and yet he loved her very much. and
she saw his eyes light up with passion,
while his strong arms treinbled as he
held her close, and his voice sounded
strangely tender, gentle beyond belief.
You shall never regret our choice.
my darlins!" he whispered. You shall
have all my thoughts, all my devotion,
all my love!!"
But your people, Douglass she
asked after a while. ''Will they be will
Ing to receive me? You know, dear, ]
am not your equal in wealth, though
have a fair incone-G2,OO a year at
The leaSt-and-'
DO you suppose 1t matters to me
whether or not you have a penny
Angela?" he interrupted hastily. Hel
words Jared upon him; 1t seemed sc
homogeneous to mention her income in
the middle Of q conversation Of such
vital Importance.
II thought I should like you tc
know she said almost humbly;
things get so exaggerated, and Polite
Norton is always fond of drawing the
long bow: besides. I have heard sc
much about your peoples particularly
how do you l1noW your mother viii
like ,ne, Douglass"
M. darling. how could my mothe,
help liking you? She is as ardent &
wOrshipper Of beauty as / am; the only
stipulation she ever made with regar(
to my wife was When she laughingl1
told me to be sure to choose a beauty
ard II lady Imagine my being at
tracted by any II else!"
what do YOU call a lady Douglass
MY dearest Angela, I beg of you no
to PROFOUND any more conundrums
Those pretty lips were never meant tt
tantalize your lover In SO cruel a fash
ION. l will answer all your questions
sweet heart, with a kiss" and, STOPPING
a little, lie held up the winsome face
and pressed her lips-lot once, bui
twenty times.
MY own. tell me you owe mel ht
demanded, IN his masterful sort Of fash
ior: but she broke from him. and. Will
Il little laugh. disappeared through the
mist. He followed, somewhat per
picked.
Douglas Lyle, soldier as he was
strong-willcd and stronger-hearted. wa!
all too supplemented to understand
the manifold perversities with which
a woman encompasses her love, and An
gela's varying moods puzzled Will
they enchanted him. But as he stood II
the porch, smoking a cigaret rathe'
-foly n noir of arms WOIn(