The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1906-02-23

| NSOpSElSnt, 1SH, by w. II. lte1ESt-b
1t was only yesterday since he had
seen her and he was fully anticipating
seeing her tomorrow, when q double
knock of the peremptory postman or
der sounded and the servant entered
with an orange colored envelope in her
l hand.
waiting"
Dick Treherne tore open the mes
sage, and. having hastily read 1t. tossed
It, crumpled ball, into the CRATE.
No answer" he said CURLY. For it
ran thus:
"unavoidably prevented tomorrow.
Will explain later.
Mabel Brancepeth."
Treherne had half expected some
thing of this sort. Yesterday. when
he had talked softly to her OF the long
afternoon he hoped to spend In her
company. she had said somewhat du-
biously:
After all, Dick 1 don't know wheth-
err l ought to have promised to go TO
the circus with you. You see, Mr..
Goldman sent round this morning t..
say he had got box at the Hippo
irame and he would take us up to
London, and would we all come. 1t
would be much nicer than a country
show. wouldn't it? Much safer, l mean.
OF course, should like to go With you
awfully, but you know what a travel
ing circus Is and how nervous l am in
a crowd"
Dick had felt distressed at her
speech then, for he had taken the best
seats he could afford, and even
stretched a point at that, but he was
madly in love with her and tried to
laugh away her fears, promising to
take splendid care of her, and gen.
timely believing she meant them seri-
ously. But this message of hers at the
last moment put different complex
ion on affairs.
The fact of the matter was that Ma
| bel had got better invitation and was
behaving as she had once OF twice be-
naved before under somewhat similar
circumstances.
! Dick had looked forward to the NOR
row, meaning to plead his cause then,
and hoping that Mabel would consent
to be the queen of his small kingdom;
but he had at last awakened from the
cherished dream and now finally real
ICED that Mabel would choose to marry
for money rather than for love; that
the devotion he offered would count
little with her when compared with
| old Mr.. Goldman's bank account.
Dick began to feel how vain his
hopes had been.
THAT little cousin OF hers. Julie Per-
rington, is worth a dozen of her. I'll be
Those blue eyes Of hers look true and
candid enough. Strange that even while
l admired Mabel so much, always
liked Julie best.
Il wish had asked her to go with
me- She would not have gone back on
nad had a better offer. But there!
What a fool am. No doubt she has
a lover of her own. Fair. kind and
true as Shakespeare has it.. does not
go begging.
Mabel's telegram had upset and an
noyed Treherne, and owhen he went to
bed that night 1t was half with the in
tention Of giving UP the whole show.
There was not much fun In going to a
thing Of that kind by ones SELF he
thought. But in the morning he awoke
In a different frame of mind altogether.
make use of his seat at the circus, even
II vacant one yawned at his side.
He started in good time, and as soon
as he was fairly out upon the country
, road found himself in the midst Of a
good humored Fastening crowd.
Presently when he entered the field
where the circus had been set up, he
was brought to a standstill. His broad
shoulders stood him in good stead, and
In Ettle while he was able to move
on: but people seemed to be pressing
him on every side, and a slender form
was WeUReCA up against 1llIl.
1t was Julie Perrington! She recog-
nized Treherne at once, and his hand
moved to his hat
Miss Pennington" he cried in de-
light, 'let me take care Of you"
She seemed to be on the verge Of
tears.
ooh, Mr.. Treherne," she cried, II am
quite alone! had no idea it would be
like this!"
but how is this?'' he cried, in as
constituent. Surely Mr.. Goldman in
Guided you In his party?"
"He didn't mention me specially
she said flushing, but aunt thought 1
was meant to be included, only Mabel
said I had nothing smart enough to
wear-except for a country show"
Julie grew scarlet at the remembrance
of this sneer and added, "and gave me
the idea Of coming in this. way, for I
have never seen a circus since I was
a tiny child, and did so want to-"
Trehcrne's resentment was kindled
against Mabel doubly for her unkind-
ness toward her cousin and her selfish
ness.
Miss Pennington" he said, 'if you
will allow me to constitute myself your
escort. I think can conduct you not
only to q place of safety, but to a coign
of vantage where we shall have a very
| good view"
Julia was all smiles now.
| ION, now dellgntful she cried. But,
OH how can come? It will be robbing
some one of their place. won't it?''
II offered the seat to your cousin at
frst." acknowledged Treherne. :'but she
has thrown me over for, the Goldman
party"
'.Perhaps she made some mistake about
the day. said Julia. And Treherne thought
what generous little ,soultit was.
There was no mistake" he answered,
smiling.
We'll MISS Pennington. is my rejected
seat worth your acceptance?'
She smiled, too.
I'm afraid I'm not proud at ALL" she
confessed. II am very sorry for your dis
appointment. for know you must be dis
appointed; but shall be no pleased to ac-
cept that seat, and I think you are very
i kind to offer me your escort"
When team of piebald ponies came into
the arena and showed on their graceful ac-
4 compliments, jules eyes sparkled and
her cheeks flushed with childish enjoy
ment. She leaned forward In her excite
ment, disrlsyins tie graceful contour Of
I! her figure ssiss:S
When the circus was all over Dick
heaved q sigh Of regret, echoed by Julie
4 There still remained the task of getting
her home, and Dick, was determined to e.
cort Julie to her very. door.
DO you know. she said, as they walked
along slowly side by side, IT never recog-
mixed you in the crowd until you turned
round, and all the time ] was trying hard
tn< r<nt 49, k<><Hn