Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1905-03-23

meant SO WELL And then" with lips
that would CULVER, Il get a chance to
go to dance SD seldoin3'
The long, hot. golden day Jagged
By. Never had the giving of music
lessons seemed so tedious nor had the
pupils ever appeared so tircsome.
Coming home just as the relentless sun
was dropping down the west, the girl
frightened with wan pleasure at sight
of the little old gray cottage she called
home. In the house she knew would
be balm-the balm of sympathy, of
rest, of love.
"Ill have bath and a fresh gown"
she told herself, land get out here in
the silence and the sweetness and read
until l forget there are gay people
dancing the night away-and | not
one Of them!"
Not for worlds would she have adj
mitted even to her own heart that ii
was less the social eXhilaration she
missed than the wee, hidden hope she
had harbored of seeing once more a
well remembered dark head. of feel
ing the warm clasp of a strong, firm
hand and of meeting the half tender,
half quiZZical glance of expressive blue
eyes.
she was very resolute in reading the
tiny volume of Tennyson she had
brought when after supper she came
out into the fragrant solitude Her
gown was of simple lawn that traied
Oh.
waves. Her arms shone pearl fair
through its transparency.
The afterglow faded. Shadows
crept stealthily up the garden ways.
1t was not possible to read longer.
Anyhow she had hardly been aware
of that which she was reading. Now
the guests were gathering at her
uncles imposing home. Lights were
blazing and the gay music from the
city resounding. And now she closed
her eyes, drifting away into reverie,
varihued, melodious, kaleidoscope, so
absorbing that she did not notice the
stopping of a carriage at the gate nor
the heavy footstep muffied by the thick
grass.
her! meditated quizzical voice.
I'm not She started to her feet,
the flooding light of the warm, young
midsummer moon full on her face.
Gordon she murmured.
Older, heavier, manlier than the
young fellow who had gone away there
was still the admiration in his eager
eyes, the smile of tenderness about the
square cut lips.
You're nice girl" he cried, holding
her cold, slight hands in his warm,
heavy pressure, never to come to a
party given in the honor of your old
friend! l looked for you everywhere.
Your uncle said you had promised him
you would come. So he sent me to
bring you. or, rather" he laughed, II
asked him If might not come for you.
Come-Lesslew
1t was the old childish name that no
one else had called her.
But can't, Gordonv' She was blush
ing like rose. Not in this old gown
He glanced over her critically in be-
wilderment
isn't that the-the right thing? It's
just-stunnlng. You look like an I'm
dine-a silver birch incarnated! All
pale green and white-except for q
crown of goldw And this audacious
young man stopped to touch the shin
ing coronet with reverent lips.
'Lessie, you must know why I've
come back!' His voice dropped to
coaxing cadence. "T'ye come-for you!
Dear, have I startled you? Well, come
up to the dance, and I'll promise to be
dumb until the last waltz"
I'm a dress that cost a quarter
yard-and that / made myself?' she
queried, her voice tremulous with ex-
element
Come for your uncles saker' he
begged. Every one here in Linden
vile knows you. 1t will be great fun.
And then. LESSEE, come for my sakev'
1t was great fun. The verdict that
the girl in the sea green gown, with
cheeks like wild roses, was the belle of
the ball was practically unanimous.
Only Hortense and her mother ex-
changed glance of dark and signif-
cant disappointment when Bruce Fer
guson. smiling indulgently II obtusely.
whispered: "Cophetua up to date! Not
such bad match for a little music
teacher