Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1907-09-19
Ole Countess
Chooses.
By Emmett CaDDbell Hall.
copyrighted, 1907, by E. c. PARCELS.

| dainty canvas OXIOru, anu TIE re
malnder Of her costume consisted OF 9
duck skirt and shirt waist. Scattered
about the room ON the chairs and ia
bles were masses of velvet, silk and
lace and, most noticeable of all, q
beautiful gown Of white silk, OH which
pearls were cleaning like dewdrops
upon a lily. There was also a long
white veil.
.'No, no, no! l hate everything!
will not try 1t on l will not be mar
riedv' the countess cried. And she
hurled at the despised wedding gown
the little dog whip which she CHANGED
to have in her hand.
| "But-should 1t not fit! To think OF
1t! And only two days more One
Of the two frightened maids protested
but suddenly shrank back from the
fiery eyes the Countess Evelyne turned
upon her.
1.-TWO days-never, tell you, duncer'
the countess blazed and. turning. ran
from the room.
Down the stairs and out of doors the
countess sped. At the door her setter
sprang toward her with joyous yelps,
and the girl dropped on her knees and
clasped both her arms about his neck.
Lets run off and have long talk,
Hero" she whispered. "They-your
mistress isn't happy, doggie."
Then she rose quickly, and together
they hurried down the driveway to-
ward the little lake that glimmered in
the sun a half mile away.
1t was very quiet, just an ordinary
pretty country place, and not at all
what one would have looked for in the
summer home of a countess Her I'M
Gle, who was her guardian, had gone
off trout fishing, all the servants were
busy preparing for the wedding, and
there was none to observe or stop her.
The girls spirits rose somewhat as she
hurried along through the sunshine,
and she laughed merrily when Hero
after elaborate creepings forward fail
ed to catch sparrow.
They passed through the gate that
marked the boundary of the place, up
on each stone pillar of which were
carved her family arms, and on down
the public highway to where an old
stone bridge crossed the stream lead
ing to the lake. Turning out of the
road, the countess followed the course
Of the stream until she had reached a
little moss covered bank which,
screened by bushes, made a perfect
bower. Here she dropped upon the
ground, with little sigh of content
ment. The dog lay down beside her,
pushing at her hand with his cold. wet
nose.
'Tts horrible, doggie, DEAR" the girl
whispered, pulling at the silky ears,
''and l haven't any one to help me at
all. Even you can't, Hero"
The dog looked into her face with
grave, questioning eyes.
"They are going to marry me Off to
some one never saw" she continued,
speaking as one might to dear friend.
II know he is a horrid cad, Hero. II
be isn't cad he must feel just the
same way, too, and will hate me- It
was all arranged when we were year
old. And It isn't right, Hero. I am Just
q girl, and never had a sweetheart,
and want one, doggie. just like any
other girl"
Suddenly the countess brown eyes
grew dreamy, and faint blush stole
into her cheek.
do you remember, Hero, when we
were sitting here just year ago? 1t
was the day we thought he was COM
ing to the house, and we ran of to
keep him from seeing us. And we
were just sitting here like this when
Robert came along And we never
knew any more than just each others
name-Evelyne and Robert. And we
laughed and said we'd meet here again
some day, but he never came back. I
guess he has forgotten"
She grew silent and sat gazing
dreamily at the water flowing swiftly
past. Then suddenly there was the
sound Of parting branches, and she
looked up into the eyes of that well
remembered friend of day. In his
face was a look Of delight and sur
prise.
"Evelynew he exclaimed and strobe
forward with outstretched hands.
$50 you did remember, Robert" she
said and gave him both of hers, and
glad little smile came to her red lips.
IT have never forgotten. / was pass
ing along the road up there In my ma
chine and stopped just to see the place
again. 1 did not hope to see you," he
answered
He had not released her hands, but
now she seemed for the first time to
notice that fact and withdrew them,
blushing.
They sat down side by side on the
mossy bank, and the golden hours slip
ped by UNDECIDED. Almost unconscious
ly their hands had met and clasped.
Then his arm had stolen about her.
and her head had come to rest against
his shoulder. There seemed no past.
no future, only the present. Slowly,
as II drawn by force he could not re-
sist, he turned his head toward her.
and their lips met clinginsly.
With wrench the countess tore her
self free and sprang to her feet. She
hid her face In her little hands and
sobbed.
"oh' you shouldn't have done that