Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1906-05-11

N1 ISIS SUSAN DENHAM was an
JNxDl attractive girl, a decidedly at
~~ tractive girl. Susan was the
prettiest girl in the village, and her
widowed mother was the possessor of
several tidy bits of property, and Susan
had been away at school and played the
piano beautifully, and could sing de-
lightfully, and was charming in every
way. Susan might nave had many fol-
lowers, but she wasn't a %coquette, and
had quite too good ar opinion of Susan
Denham to think Of engaging herself
to any of the village SWANS who sighed
about her.
There was a young man, however.
whom Susan believed she could fancy.
Very likely this supposition was born of
the somewhat singular fact that the
young man in question resolutely kept
his attention away from her. Presum-
Ibly this piqued Susan and made her
hi the more determined to impress
him. But her innocently artful efforts
seemed quite in vain. Robert Chal-
e scarcely looked at her, and when
they met on social occasions he appear
ed reserved and distant. g.
There was no doubt that Robert was
q fine fellow. He was tall and manly
and a college man, and a partner with
his father in the paper mill that was
known far and wide for the excellence
and f1neness Of its limited product. In
every way he was a desirable young
man to cultivate, and yet no man in he
village seemed to hold as poor an opln-
ion of his own merits. At least 1t
seemed SO to Miss Susan Denham. Ger
most Of his opportunities as far as she
was concerned. In her presence be was
simply dumb and stupid. Why, once
when he had been asked by the hostess
at an evening gathering to see Miss
Susan to her mothers gate, he scarcely
opened his lips and when they reached
the widows home he bolted away as if
he had forgotten some important n
gagement. &-.--s.
"a Well, time wore along and it IA the
summer Of the year after Susan's re-
turn from that very select school in
Barryville. And hen one mild July
day she had a caller. Her mother had
gone to spend the afternoon at her Aunt
Gorham's, and the maid was enjoying
her day out. "-
1t was Susan who answered the bell.
When she opened the door a stout man
of middle e confronted her. His face
was kindly and his green eyes had a
pleasant twinkle. %. -.,.
"How do you do, Miss Susan?" be
said. nN r.
Every well, Mr.. Chalmers" she an
swered. "Wil you come in?"
Thank you, Miss Susan"
Mother has gone over to Aunt Cor
HAMS" said Susan. -
Il came to see you, Miss Susan
She looked at him %curiously.
'Take this CHAIR, she said, as she
pulled an easy chair toward him.
He glanced about the room and shook
his gray head ~approvingly.
Mice ROOM" he said. Everything in
apple pie order. That's what 1 like.
They tell me you're a fine h~ousekeeper.
Miss Susan"
The girl flushed a little.
cts mother who deserves the cred
she said. THAT is. II there Is any
credit to be given"
"A piano, too" he said. "I'd very
much like to hear you play some time"
'Irl be glad to play for you any
time"
That's kind. I guess you and l could
be very good friends"
The girl laughed and flushed, too.
sYou are complimentary" she muir
mured.
az guess you're used to that sort of
thing the visitor remarked.
She shook her head. 49,
mo-" she said.
There was a little silence. The girl
racked her mind In an effort to guess
his errand.
Presently he spoke.
We've had a very good year" he
aah
a'1es.
II a in our businessrat the
rin. -
I'm glad to hear 1t"
Il thought you'd be interested. 1t
va an unusually good year-and this
year promises to be still better"
Why snou1d ne tell her uii this:
az understand you had talked Of en-
Iarg1ng the mill"
Fl knew you were interested Y&,