The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1906-12-07

"Wait," be urged. Twill you moi
tell me your name-your nrst Manner
Helene"
"Helene, tell me II this hour We
have spent here in the woods alone
has been a pleasant one to you"
"The ~pleasantest hour" abe said
frankly, that I ever have spent"
"Helene, would you like a lifetime Of
such hoursT"
"Oh," abe gasped. mo ones life
could be that!!'
yours shall be, Helene. Will you
leave home for me-to be my wife,"
Helene was very grave now. "You
should not talk like that to me-" she
said %reprovingly. "You should not say
that. We do not know each other"
Helene" he protested, II knew you
the moment I looked into your eyes.
Come to me without knowing me.
Take me on trust"
II must not. They would never let
me-"
leave that to me. Tell me you will
marry me, and I will win their con
sent"
She sighed incredulously and looked
at him wistfully.
. .
When Louise had been home a few
days she received a letter which read
as follows:
Ny Dear Aouise-I promised you that
Il my grandfather should ever relent and
consent I would pay you a visit. I can
now fulfill that promise. I am going ia
marry h grocer very soon, and I write
to see II I may come 70 you while I make
my simple prepafation5. My grandfather
thought you might advise me, what to
purchase. Once moro I sfth myself the
name o gave me.
Dismay at the thought Of the beau.
hful young girl wedding the grocer
made Louise oblivious to the entrance
Of her favorite cousin, Roger Crofton,
until he spoke. She handed him the
letter.
II recall that grocer perfectly" abe
said, with a sigh-'good looking, !
admit, and rather well educated, but
not her equal! 1t shall not bew
"How can you prevent 1t, L~ouise1"
I'LL introduce her to the world when
she comes and then BY contrast she
will e her mistake"
She began ordering some simple but
elegant evening gowns for the debut of
the young girl. When she arrived Lou.
Use saw In the t~ranscendent beauty that
radiated from every feature that she
had no passing fancy to overthrow.
The days that followed brought a
round Of gayety, and Helene was pleas.
ed and interested in this new life, but
one day she came to Louise with spar.
king eyes.
HE is coming Tuesday to take me
home, and our wedding 10 soon to bew
Louise groaned inwardly at this an.
management. But. she REINFORCED hez
courage. Tuesday night she was to
give a brilliant evening. The grocer
would appear in the. midst Of the ele'
CANT cultured men; and Helene would
see the. contrast
The.fatefnl night arrived, and Helene
moved aimons the Suests radiant and
sxpectant. Late in the evening she
saw the grocer enter the big hall. Lou
ise. noting the sudden disappearance .ol
her sHttls. friend. OWNED the reason,
alnd. when the guests had departed ii
Wsat In search Of the girl and hi
SIftocsr lover. Az she approached . littjl
screened retreat Helene stepped festA.
her eyes like stars.
..Loaisee. hia.rss he ia!s' ! /
lkenises enterds, the dimly lighted
room. 4 till form came forward. and
she 'qskssa into ~ - Other cousin
t don't unsder.t.ndr' .h. exclaimed.
taking his o%utstretched hand. THE
4rocer!w .
II went to the little station near The
Oaks one day" he explained. ITO rec
onnoiter and see what held 30 great
an attraction for you there. l found II
q elegant place to 1sh. and loaf and
concluded to remain and have Gather
BY join me. I found the grocer. to
whom I applied for lodging. in despair
because his clerk had left. l took
charge Of his store while he went to
look up some help, and my first Gus
toner was our little friend here. Well.
It was a case of love ut first sight with
me, and I wooed her In the role of gro
e from a whim. I revealed my true
position to her grandfather, and he
found my credentials acceptable. but l
did not let Helene know my identity
until tonight. I came here to confide in
you the other day, and from another
whim resolved to let you try your skill
at e6ecting a change Of heart. I
thought it a good opportunity to show