Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1906-06-29

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liked.
Barbara found Sir George a distinctly
pleasant IL rather ordinary sort Of man.
and as for the fact of his being a bachelor,
that affected her neither one way nor the
other, even II she ever gave 1t a thought.
She never quite knew what prompted
her TO sit out that last dance with him.
| Suffice 1t to say that, wearied by her pre-
vious exertlons, she had suffered herself
TO be led away, and that the next thing
she realized was that the baronet was
| pouring out protestations of eternal love.
with an earnestness that at once startled
and repealed her.
Vexed that he had not known of her po-
sition and angry with herself for having
behaved to him in such a manner as TO
Justify the course he had taken, she was
T, about TO disillusion him in a few well
| chosen words when the sound of approach
ing footsteps well upon her ears.
"A terrible thing" came in the deep
tones of a man, THE workings are food
ed. Mines no earthly use now
Poor old Ralston. I'm afraid he'll never
survive it. Poverty comes hard to men
like him!" Is
No more; the voices passed out OF ear
shot. Stunned and dazed, Barbara tried
to realize what II was that had happened.
Gradually out OF the whirling chaos or
ideas her mind grasped the salient fact
tnaL Win nSr lay the c1Olce-OI pONSTty,
with its mean surroundings, or of wealth.
with all that mokes life worth living. Pow
erty, want. weariness. the cramped stuff
ness OF rooms In a suburban street; the
hideous ALTERATION OF a life OF endless
toll. The prospect sickened her.
Her mother, too; how could she tell her
that 1t had all come TO an end? That the
future Reid nothing for them but
was gray and gaunt and sordid. oh, the
| un~Speakabla horror af itf
Dearest" the low, per-
suas.ve voice at her side, may I take
silence for consent?"
She came TO herself then, and remem-
bered. Nell loved her. Before all the
beautiful women of his own set he had
chosen her-the little actress. She could
bring him Observation-Disclosures her
beauty. her purity, and her love; his was
the sacrifice. And she did love him? Oh.
yes. yes! more than anything: more than
all the wealth and luxury the wide world
held; more than life itself!
"Oh, no, nc!" she breathed. "Sir George.
! am deeply conscious of the honor you do
me-, but--oh-it cannot be!' And then In
a m she was up and speeding from
him as a wild thing fees from the foot OF
man.
"Oh, Neil, Neiii'--she was sobbing In his
arms-"don't let II make any difference.
dear. We are young. and we can work:
and oh, my darling. l wan you more than
anything. Poverty doesn't matter II I
have YOU"
The flooding Of the mine did not prove
such a serious affair after all; being, as a
matter Of fact, confined to a single work
ing" and a disused one at that. Also, when
four men met in conclave In the hall IL
brary. some things were said which threw
a somewhat startling light on the occur
renee in question. Two. of the number
were well known sporting characters. tho
third was Sir George Meldrum, and the
fourth was the earl himself.
"AIl I've got TO say" remarked one OF
the former. SIS that the Ally came out OF
the test we'll. You should have seen her
jump though when Charley. here. laid 1t
on thick about the poverty
Nothing like a trial to bring out the
quality. Is there?' he said.
There isn't" agreed Sir George. But
with a comical grimace-'I half wish
she'd disappointed you. Ralston, after all.
l could have done with her myself"
"You!" loughed the earl. She's heaps
too good for you. Look here, boys; that
y%oungster Of mine has hooked a treasure.
I'm sure OF 1t now and although It's cost
me over thirty pounds to flood that blessed
working / don't regret It,"