The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1905-03-17
THE TWO MISSES BONNEY
BY Florence keslerton.


Gertrude Bonney was pretty. and. as
is the case with other pretty girls. she
kept herself and everyone else always
aware of the fact. Not that she was
overbearing and proud. but in a hun
dred little ways she would remind one
that Gertrude Bonney had lovely gray
eyes, a straight nose, and dimpled
chin.
When Jack Wilet first saw her at a
ball he thought he had seen the pref
liest woman in the world, and after
an introduction had been managed he
proceeded to fall straight way in love
with the pretty damSel. Ate: meeting
her at a number of social gatherings,
Mr.. Wilet called one afternoon.
Miss Bonney was at home" the
maid told him, and he was shown into
a long, sunny reception room.
lie found it already occupied.
A tall young woman in a plain gray
hand.
Il called to see Miss Bonney," an
swered he, and the smile passed from
her face. You probably wish to see
my sister, Miss Gertrude? l will send
her to YOU. And she left the room.
is it possible" though the young
man. that such a pretty girl as Miss
ter?" And yet her voice was delicious.
All. good afternoon, Miss Bonney," as
Gertrude Bonney tripped into the room,
all smiles and blue muslin.
Mr.. Willet called many times at the
palatial residence Of his divinity, but
he never again saw the elder Miss Bon
ney. BY this time he was in the deep
waters of love, and as yet he had not
contrived to whisper his devotion into
the shell like ears of Miss Gertrude,
for, with all her innocent glances and
con6ding ways, the little beauty's head
was set square upon her white Shout
ders. and she always avoided conf
months slipped by and the Bonneys
prepared TO move to their country resi-
dence. When this news reached Jack
he determined to speak with Gertrude
of his love for her.
He nervously moved about the dainty
room awaiting her coming and when
he heard the swish of skirts outside
the door he hurried forward to greet
Miss Rose Bonney.
She handed him letter-it ran:
My Dear Mr.. Willet: You are such
a good friend OF mine that I tell you
the good news first Tomorrow will
witness the public announcement Of my
engagement to Mr.. Horace Richards,
to whom l have been engaged for the
past six months. Won't you congratn-
late me? Trusting you will excuse me
for not appearing this afternoon. yours
sincerely, GERTRUDE BONNEY."
With groan the young man dropped
his hand upon his arm, while dry sobs
shook his frame.
Mr.. Willet!" The words were hard
ly more than breath. yet they caused
the young man to raise his head and
look at the speaker.
And he had once called her plain
! Her face was wondrously tender and
her eyes bright with sympathy. The
touch Of her slender hand upon his
arm sent thrill of comfort to his
J soul.
You must try to bear it, Mr.. Willet
I know what Gertrude has written
! Don't be too hard on her. She Is sc
/ pretty, she has been spoiled
Forgive me-" cried Jack, contritely
when one sees you one wonders how
/ she could be SO false" And he left
| the room.
| A month later. business taking Mr.
Willet to to one OF the most sQualit
quarters of the city, he met Miss Rose
Bonney coming out OF house, baske
on her arm.
Haven't you been away, Miss Bon.
ney?" he inquired.
oh. no. replied the girl brightly
Il could not leave my poor. They neee
me even more in the summer And
do not accomplish half what wish to
1t il very hard for one working alone.
1t seemed but natural after that tina
ne should meet the elder Miss Bonnie.
on many Of her errands of mercy, ant
much help he was to her. too.
u Then one day when he met her will
face expressing happiness and news
Miss Bonney," he said. as soon 81
politeness permitted, II have unex
!, pectedly come into a huge fortune
Rose. the infatuation which I though
had for your sister was merely
passing fancy. The affection / hol,
for you Is more Than infatuation. 1t 1
true, manly love. Don't you think yo
could learn to love me little, Rose?'
Whatever the girls answer was |
seemed to please the young man, TO
he remarked to his pipe late that nigh
And almost missed the real damon
in the glitter of imagination"