The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1907-01-03

Me DEAR said Miss MOllOy, 10
made up me mind that l was not only
neatly laid away upon the shelf, but
that was in danger of being so tight
ly nailed there that I'd never get OF it
without a considerable wrench. And
so the wrench was made. There's
no valid reason for delay that other
Hamilton or meself can see, and the
banns of mar'ge will be read for the
first time On Sunday week"
That's very expeditions, isn't it,"
asked Lillian.
We'll" said Belle, "Hamilton's no
more disposed to think well Of long
engagements than | am meself.
There's noyther Of us has a soul to
take into consideration. We've nobody
but ourselves to consider, and We know
the proverb, dear, that says there's
danger in delay"
Belle" said Lillian, confess 1t.
You're afraid Mr.. Billery would run
away II you gave him an opportunity"
I'm not so very much afraid or
that" Miss Belle replied, with unal-
| ltIdDic SOOu huulOl, uuL L uoll I o'N
why | should court any risk of a
change in his inclinations. Men are
tickle creatures at the best, me dear;
and though I've a complete reloyance
on Hamilton's honor, I'll be just as
we'll content to know that it's out OF
danger. And I'm going to be a good
wife to him." she added with sudden
seriousness. "Barrin one little fault
that he's doin' his best to cure, he's
really one Of the dearest creatures in
the world. | don't know anywhere a
more thorough gentleman, and he has
a heart OF gold. He's as full of new
oydeas as an egg is full Of meat, and
he can trust to me to be the best help
| can to him."
You will make a good wife, Belle"
said Lillian. 81 am sure of that"
"Ill try" said Miss Molloy, simply.
IT'S a queer world, me d%arlin'; now,
isn't it? Who'd have thought a month
ago that of us two I'd have been the
first in the race to the altar? And
now, afther all, I'll be Mrs. Billery be-
fore you're Mrs. Brangwyn."
"Ah!" said Lillian, that's all over"
"All overt" cried Belle.
| All overt" the other echoed.
"Oh, Lillian" said Miss Molloy.
we've never given poor dear Alexis
the mitten? Why, he was the very
man for ye. Rich, handsome, charm
in! Why, really and truly, barrin'
Hamilton with ubop, 7 uorldp't draam
Of comparin' anybody, l think he's the
most delightful man alive"
at was not my doing, DEAR" Lillian
answered. HE offered me my free
dom and / took it,"
"He-offered-you--your freedom"
asked Miss Belle, in a perfect ecstacy
Of surprise. You? Why, me dearest,
it's incredible. Ye're the acknowledged
beauty of the county. Ye're a matri-
monial catch in a thousand from a
financial point of view. When did it
happen, dear, and what on earth does
he mean by it?"
TT happened three weeks ago." said
Lillian, quietly.
Obi" cried Miss Molloy. These
men! These men! And we've been
suffering eve since?"
YES" said Lillian; at has cost me
a great deal of pain. But it was quite
evident to both of us that we could
never be happy together, and we
thought it best to part. 1t is only fair
to Alexis to say hat he was the first
to recognize the truth frankly. The
engagement is at an end, but | can't
have it thought that I Tilted him"
And nobody will believe" said
Belle, that he Tilted you!"
"He did not" Lillian answered. I'VE
both saw the truth In time. We could
v have been a happy man and
wife, and we have agreed to part.
There will be a good deal of gossip
about 1t l suppose, but I have taught
myself already not to care about that"
The impulsive little Irsihwoman
threw herself at her friends knees and
kissed her hand and fondled 1t.
Il declare" she said, half-crying,
that l feel ashamed Of myself. To
come here and faunt meself in your
AoSC aS l ioNS uohC Willy you WCl III
trouble! Oh, it's not the thing I'd
have done II I'd known"
my DEAR" said Lillian, you have
cone me a great deal more good than
the doctors, and l am very, very glad
to hear your news. l think you are
the very girl for Mr.. Billery, and |
wish you all good fortune. You must
have me at the wedding, and I promise
to be quite well by that time"
II hoped to have We for one Of me
bridesmaids" said Belle.
and so you shall, DEAR" Lillian an
swered, land We'll go to town and
choose the trousseau together"
"Ah!" cried Belle, that's better
| than I b~argained for"
From the hour Of Bellies visit Lillian
dated her convalescence. There is
something in the near approach of a
wedding which Is infinitely interesting
to the feminine mind, and there is
nothing In the whole delightful busl-