The Aberdeen Democrat. (Aberdeen, South Dakota) 1???-1909, 1905-01-20

ANTECEDENTS
BY OHIO B. sENGA
Copyright, 1904, by Ohio B. Senga

Fairlie softly.
$50 it is" assented the young ranch
man heartily. Lets choose pictures,
as the children do. See, there's a beau
tful maiden robed in white. She's
mine"
Every well. You saw her first, Look,
there's a house. THAT'S mine"
"It's a ranch house, then" decidedly.
"See how low and spread out it is;
plenty Of land, you see."
Its all full Of hooks and corners"
dreamily, land there are broad piazzas
with vines growing all over them"
"Of course" with prompt assent,
"that's the ideal house for a ranch.
Look there, Miss Fairlie! See what is
coming up to your piazza" as a smaller
cloud rolled up unanimously.
THAT'S a horse and rider, Mr.. Rob
arts!" e~xcitedly.
"Sure, 1t is you, just starting out for
q ride over your ranch! See the veil
on your hat?
She laughed with almost childish en-
joyment Of the child's play at make
believe"
There's another rider now. Let's see
who that is"
They gazed earnestly at the passing
cloud.
." thought 3d." cried the man trium-
phantly, cts me-" with a dashing dis
regard Of grammar, cts neon Sa1-
cho. We're going together over our
ranch"
The woman's hand reached out in
shnchvely as If to brush the clouds
away, and the hand was promptly
caught and held in a larger, stronger
n
Lets make 1t true" he whispered
earnestly. Don't go back east again
Stay here and make it true"
She shook her head half sadly.
you don't like it here. You couldn't
make the sacrifice
ut isn't that. l do like 1t. l like ev-
erything about 1t. l never felt so neal
the sky before-never before 80 real.
lied the warmth and comfort of the
earth. To me the breadth of vision Is
fascinating. But my work lies else
where"
"What work" gravely.
"Why, my work-my business-my
HE work.
II suppose you mean your writing
your editorial work.
Certainly. I have no other"
"That is what you are doing for a
livelihood, because you are brainy
enough to be successful at it. But is
that really your life work-the work
to satisfy a woman's heart and bring
rest and peace into her life? Look
dearest, that pretty knoll of there is
Just the place to build the rambling
stone house, with hooks and corners
and vines and piazzas. The land is
mine as far as you can see on each
side. You may have a dozen houses
II you like"
II should know you are Irish," with
defensive evasion. "Such impetuos
ity!"
my mother was Scotch smiling
winningly, "and you know pertinacity
Is a p~redominating characteristic Of
the Scottish people. Combine that
with my Irish impetuosity"-
TITS a formidable combination y
with a movement to arise.
"We're not going yet" putting out
q OBTAINING hand; we're going to
watch the sunset and talk about our
house and plan about our wedding
I don't need to tell you that l love
you, dear"
"But-but, you've known me only q
month
"That's long enough to know that
love you"
"And I know nothing Of your-you,
~antecedents," hesitatingly.
II haven't any," shortly.
I'm New England" slowly, zones
a~ntecedents count for a good DEAL"
The man laughed bitterly and the1
his face grew grave.
"Please sit down again, Miss Fair
ne. I foresee a conflict between your
eastern pride and prejudice and my
western independence and intolerance
and I am not equal to it standing"
She yielded, not unwillingly.
"A man without a~ntecedents'- she
began.
I'm this section of Gods country
ne interrupted firmly, ga man stand.
Tor just what he Is. No one cares VIII,
his relatives are II he is square ant
white and does the right thing here
Never mind my 'antecedents,' Agnes
Don't you love me-"
he put out his hand and softly
touched q fold Of her riding habit. Sh,
trembled at the suggestion Of a cares
b the tender touch.
II wish you'd go away" she pleaded
Won't you go away while ! think i
MI out?'
The odd, boyish abruptness that hat
% often amused her came back again
"Go away? Not much! I'll sta,
right here. I may be Of great assist
ance to you in making up your mind
She sat in troubled silence.
Presently he began speaking again
low and tenderly. "You have not sail
that you love me. Agnes, but / believ,
that you do
IL am afraid that I do" witt
something very like a sob in her voice
= have often wondered how 1t woul,
seem toto care so much for some ON
q to wish to be with him always