The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1907-02-07
into. And It's been growing clearer

MIN now CTuel We were W uouoe ~
SELF, an to hold him aloof from his
own prOpe shelter in your owe. An!
cry away, then. III change them bit
ter drops to sweetness before I've
done wild We; so | will. He's long1n'
for you. Longin'! Haven't | seen the
hunger in the eyes of him? He's only
waiting for a word"
"Oh, Belle" cried Lillian, raising her
flushed and tear-stained face for an
instant, and hiding it again. HOW
can II"
"Ye can't" said Belle, between
laughing and crying, "Ye cant, me
dear, but cam"
NO, no, no." cried Lillian. NO.
You mustn't. You dare not. | should
die for shame"
Must l not, them" Bell retorted.
An dare I not? 'Tis very well, Miss
Lee, but III take the first opportunity
that falls into ne hands to bring me
gentleman into the way Of reason and
right conduct"
Lillian slid to her knees at her
friends feet and seized her by he
wrists.
Belle. dear, YOU mustn't do any
thing so dreadful. Tell me you won't"
Lillian" said Belle, "ye're a rank
imposter--or impostress, for | never
was sure of my grammar. Confess
now that there's nothing would please
YOU in the world so much as If |
marched off to Mr.. Aloysius Brang-
wyn and cheered the heavy heart OF
the poor, dear man with the news that
ye'd be delighted to marry him. Ye
haven't the face 10 deny it. And I'll
do ut, Lillian: I'll do ut the first time
set eyes on him if me heart doesn't
drop deep into me boots. Here's two
of the noblest hearts in the world"
cried Belle, appealing to the world at
large, hearts that suffered troubles
untold, an they're being held apart
by a cobweb."
Lillian ran to the refuge Of her W
room, and Mrs. Billery took up some
trife OF ornamental needlewoTk and
stitched at it diligently and steadily
for one-half hour. She thought hard
meanwhile, and she thought to such
effect that at the end of the time specl-
fed she deliberately slowed all her
work away, folding and smoothing it
with great care and accuracy, fastened
the clasp Of her little wicker work
basket, and walked quietly upstairs.
Then she set herself off to the best ad-
vantage in a set Of pretty gray furs
which Lillian had given her, and, ad-
justing her gloves with great nicely,
after backward g~lances at the mirror
and many little touches of the fingers
which produced no effect on anything
which was likely to be perceptible to
the eye of man, she left the house and
proceeded at a comfortable pace to the
house of Mr.. Aloysius Brangwyn. Her
heart beat very rapidly, but she had
made up her mind. and she was not to
be turned aside from her purpose.
Card case In hand, she sailed in state
70 the door, where a trim maid answer
ed her knock and took her card for
presentation to Mr.. Brangwyn. Next
she was shown to the drawing room,
and was instructed that Mr.. Brangwyn
begged her to excuse him for a single
moment.
She sat with her heart beating a
sudden rataplan in her bosom. Alloy
sius entered, and she rose to shake
hands.
"A visit from my charming enemy"
he said. "An unlooked-for pleasure!"
"Ye1l never call me your enemy
again" Belle answered. What 1t cost
me to come here, Mr.. Brangwyn, yen
never know"
you are agitated, Mrs. Billery," he
said. II trust you are not in trouble,
or, IL you are, that can be Of service"
I'm in no trouble for meself, Mr..
Brangwyn. I'm in trouble for the
friend that l love dearest in the
world" Aloysius knew who this was,
and he paled. He said nothing, and
Belle %perforce went onward. "Mr.
Rrangwyn, l have just surprised a Sc
cret. II | were a coward I'd not be
here" She saw a wonder in his eyes,
and she gripped her courage hard.
"Mr. Brangwyn," she said, "ye-ye
love Miss Lee?"
II love Miss Lee," he answered.
simply, though his face was a book OF
strange reading.
1--we told you" Belle stammered and
hurried on, that | have surprised a
secret. Dear Mr.. Brangwyn, don't
think me unwomanly or overbold, but
the secrets just this-me darlin' Lii
ian is breakin' her heart to think OF
her WI folly and how she threw your
love away. We're often so, we women,
Mr.. Brangwyn. We don't know the
truth about ourselves until 1t Is too
late. Shed rather die than give a
sign. You'd rather die than pain her
by the renewal of what you're afraid
was a distasteful suit. And I'd rather
die than see me darlin' wither through
her prime for want Of n plain word
that / a speak" And with this
Belle fell to weeping.
my dear Mrs. Billery," cried Alloy
sius, Il beseech you to calm yourself.
Are you sur OF the news you bring
me?"
CAS- sure" cried Belle, between her