Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1906-11-30

W ANN AA1o A AAoN poSSSSNSa
my excellent Aunt Gelatin securing
the most eligible party of the year-no
less a person, in fact, than Sir John
Blake, the handsome, debonair Sir
John, whose good looks, winning tongue
and well filled purse were discussed
by all the gossips throughout the coun-
tryside?
To think that Beryl Hammond, the
daughter of a country surgeon, should
have been selected by this person of
all others for his wife! 1t caused an
illness to the wears wife, and old Mrs.
Stephens, of Longcourt-Sir Johns
cousin-took to her bed at the news.
THAT girl" said they all, with spe-
cial emphasis. Whatever next"
Meanwhile, l held my head up, o
no notice of sneers on the one side, nor
OF fattery on the other.
/ had met Sir John in town, where
I had one to spend a season with Aunt
Celia. She had married a wealthy city
merchant years back, and had been
content to lead a placidly monotonous,
though prosperous, existence, until her
husbands financial successes had
earned him a title.
Then, as in duty bound, his faithful
wife insisted on a house in a fashion
able quarter n an unlimited allow
ance, in order, as she said, that they
tdhN viz pCoAlAcil III SONiSNs oAN
to the aforesaid title, not to mention
their wealth.
And so / went up to London for a
season, and, at one of my aunt's most
fashionable functions, met Sir John
Blake.
How his eyes shone the night he told
me of his love! We were on the bal
cony at old Lady SCOTS, and remem-
Der | wore a gown of palest pink
smothered in chiffon, caught here and
there with Knots Of roses. Just for a
moment he a held me at arms
length; then, with a little, quick
breathed sigh, he caught me to his
heart.
"Darling-my Beryl-my sweet"
His arms seemed a pleasant resting
place, and his low tones and passion
ate voice thrilled me. But when he
stopped and pleaded that 1 would press
my lips to his, then l drew back. In an
instant l understood what / had done.
I had promised to be his wife, 1 had
listened to his words of love, | nae
suffered his CaresSes, and all the time
my heart did not belong to him at all,
but to my boyish sweetheart in the
country.
All! Cyril. could you have seen me
when the dance was over, and we had
driven home, my aunt radiant with tri-
umph, my uncle beaming with salts
AdNlloAi 1OAld va nave seen Inc Creep
Ing to my ROOM, my face white as a
ghosts, my eyes heavy with unshed
tears, you would nave forgiven me
have been sorry for me-yes, even for
me, the girl who'd play you false!
And row / was back again in my
old country home, surrounded by my
people eager to hear of my success,
petted n made much Of by this one
II that, until | felt myself to be q
monster Of iniquity, in that l could not
feel as happy as / tried to appear
The only II of my relatives who did
not congratulate me was my youngest
sister, Maisie. l spoke to her one even
ing on the street.
Aren't you pleased that I'm going
TO be milady?' l asked, admiring my
self in the toilet glass.
Pleased. My SISTERS tone was ex-
pressiye Of the utmost scorn. IF you
want my opinion, Beryl, you shall have
IL. think you've behaved like a cad.
nothing more or less."
| stared in amaZement at Maisie.
Really, my dear" | remarked care
tessly, your manner are rather
bucolic. Pray, what fault have you TO
flnd with me? Sir John, / assure you,
Is extremely fastidious; where he sees
nothing to complain of, it is difficult
to believe that you can"
Sir johns in love with your face.
Beryl. Like poor Cyril. Chester. I sun
pose he can see nothing but perfection
IL a straight nose, large eyes ana a
small mouth"
And a passable complexion. golden
Mafsic interrupted me with a little
stamp.
Il believe you have grown quite
heartless, Beryl!" she cried. Haven't
you n pity for poor Cyril? Just think
OF the 61V i'm fha. c,,;n,r -lo.. -
brought you that great bunch of yiol-
cts. you let him make love to YOU bv
the hour. l believe"-my sisters eyes
glew round, and she caught her breath
you let him kiss YOU"
Il did, | returned calmly; several
tines
And you never meant it. Never in
tended to keep the promise you made
him?"
What promise?" I stammered, fairly
startled out of my self control. Why.
Maisie, is it possible that you were lis
tening outside the summerhouse?"
NO, she said shortly; Il was not"
Then, what possible knowledge can
you have as to what l have said to
Cyril or he to me?"
My sister hesitated a little, and tried
to avoid my gaze.
Well" / said ~sternly.
Cyril told me-" replied Maisie.
shamefacedly. II was so happy. he
could not keep it to himself. Besides,
l promised j would remind you of him,
ana write how you were getting on
Playing the part of a spy, in short %
1 said ~savagely. well then. YOU can
write to Cyril tonight, and let him
know that never wish TO see his face
again; that l disl.ke-no, hate-him.
and that | am going to marry the man
l love best in all the world. Do Won
hear me? | added, as she stood half
crying at the door. II hate him."
And then, the door having shut ga fe-
iy behind her, | fell on my knees and
cried my very heart out-possibly be-
cause | was about to marry the man
i loved best in the world,
Cyril Chester, as / knew full well
was cruising in the Mediterranean: SO
that, had l chosen. l could as easily
have written as Maisie. But. as she
had chosen to interfere, she must nut
up with the u~npleasantness of breaking
the. intelligence to him That, at least,
was the excuse ! gave my conscience
for not sending off the letter myself.
Meanwhile the preparations for my
wedding went on apace. Sir John was
an impetuous wooer. He had won me
in the spring, and was determined to
wed me in the autumn.
Not q minute after September.
sweetheart" he declared in his master
ful fashion. Long enough to wait, l
t~hink-there is still w months
IT,