Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1905-03-17

Copyrisht. 1895, by W. II. Hearsf)
The boys had suggested a game OF
I tennis and Cyril Wyatt came up from
The garden to get his tennis racquet
/ which was standing In the corsie. OF
the veranda that ran round the back III
the old house.
II was a lovely day in the height of
summer. and one Of the French win
dows leading from he drawing room
on 10 the veranda a been left parity
open. AS Wyatt reacted for his rae
quet the sound of Elsie Ritson's voice
tsoated out OF the room.
When he had accepted Mrs. Ritson's
invitation given at the instigation OF
his young pupil Ernest, to spend Il
portion Of the summer holidays with
them. he had certainly no anticipation
OF q romantic adventure. Books and
learning claimed all his thoughts. rem
Gering him adamant, as he fondly sup
posed, 10 feminine charms.
And now. IN less than a weekday,
almost at first sight-the tender pas
sion had sought him Out. For a tutor
OF humble means and with aims in
which women played no part, it was
really a most anomalous position.
Elsie was out OF sighr, sitting fur
Their back in the room, but Mrs. Rit-
son. looking across at her daughter
WIN I'LL faSCA EApECSSlOi iii SpiitVs
needlework lay Idly on her lap. was
plainly visible. And Elsie's voice
smote dreadfully on his ears.
II could never marry anyone but
Alfred, mother she was saying. He
will speak some time: il must be hard
for a man To speak when so much
depends upon the answer. I'm a diff
ferent girl since | got to know him
properly"
Cyril waited to hear no more. Rae
quet in hand he walked softly down
the few steps into the garden. What a
changed world it vast
Now that his own case was hopeless,
should he speak TO Allied Dryhurst
and make the way plain between him
and Elsie? 1t would be a generous
deed-far more generous than most
men disappointed in love are capable
of; could he do it,
That evening Cyril wyatt and AL
fred Dryhurst occupied opposite chairs
in the smoking room Mr.. Ritson a
retired TO bed, so they had the room
TO themselves.
'Dryhurst," began Wyatt, putting at
mis- pipe, You're a lucky man."
Depends On how you define luck
We'll. you've an independent income.
for n thing, and a afford 10 marry.
l wish l could. Now l want to give
YOU a tip-a straight tip"
My dear chap, | never gamble or
~speeulcta."
.Wis5 man! There's no speculation.
however. about my tip; it's a dead
cert" His manne grew suddenly Sc
rious. Il say. do you care for Elsie Ritz
scn?"
Dryhurst's cigar almost fell from his
lips in surprise at the question.
However did you guess that, wyatt?
4 fhoIIpht no ono knew IL -
1T was only a surmise on my part. =
replied Cybil, with IN enigmatic laugh.
But l want you to go In and win"
You think / stand a fair chance? ?"
Chance isn't the word. D%ryhurst. /
know positively from Miss Ritson's own
lips that you are h n man for
her
Dryhurst misunderstood, as was nat
ural.
I'm sorry for you. Wyatt. I had
al inkling that you cared for her, but
when did she tell you this?"
'You're quite wrong. She hasn't told
me at all. And I've never spoken TO her
-in the way you suggest"
Then, how do you know?"
Il played unwillingly the part of
eavesdropper this afternoon. Listen"
Open-mouthed, Dryhurst listened to
rhe account of the remarks Wyatt had
overheard when looking for his tennis
racquet. BY the time the recital had
concluded his face was radiant.
"Wha a coincidence, Wyatt, that you
should have been there at that particu-
lar moment. can imagine Elsie con-
filling In her mother; they're as thick
as two peas"
Wyatt watched the other pacing the
room In his excitement.
Now you understand why | called
Won a hlpky chan. ~
II do. But it's splendidly generous OF
you TO tell me, caring for her, as you
do yourself"
Nonsense. You see Miss Ritson't
happiness is everything TO me. Now
that a word from YOU will put matters
right when will YOU sneak
Tomorrow
mo later. mind!'
Dryhurst held out his hand.
Thanks. old man, a thousane
thanks! And youiH be best man at th'
wedding.N3
Cyril did not look wholly delighted a
the suggestion.
IF you can't find a better" h
said.
Next morning when Elsie Ritson VA
starting out TO do Il little shopping. Al
fred Dryhurst appeared as by magic II
the hall.
Going to the village, Elsie?1
Yes"
Guess I'll one with you. We wan
soyne more tennis balls"
II could get those for you."
Il think Ill come too. I'll be glad o
the walk"
since when have you developed thi
fondness for walking, Aifredg'
He felt the sarcasm In her voice. l
Was not m suspicious beginning.
You are fond Of chatting a fellow
Elsie. I'm not very sweet on walk
because they seem to me such mean
ingiess things. But today I've a rea
object i'm view"
Buying tennis balls2s
"Ye-esi"
Trey had passed beyond The boun
daries OF the garden and We're in
quiet country lane. Elsie observed tina
his footsteps Jagged somewhat.
Am | going too fast for you, AL
fredg"
mot i'm tie least! Only, when
chaps got something important on hi
mind. he likes TO go slowly"
Dear me! j shouldn't have though
that O single purchase could cause yol
such anxiety; but. then. you're a mar
I've half a dozen things to buy"
Elsie, I've something more import
an 70 think of than tennis balls. Can
you guess?"
She shook her head. feeling yer
stupid. He stopped short and took he
arm Familiarity She looked up at hiT
in surprise.
You have made il easy FOR m,
Elsie. moi every fellow is luck
enough 10 know the answer he'll &c
when he puts a question like fnins
Elsie, / love you passionately. Wi
/ o marry me. darling