Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1907-04-04
T He P AR AG O N

VI uiitc. nc uUcS uOt care TOT pdTtlcS.
Will you see that he is not bored al this
oneg'
He does not care for partiesg A
woman hater no doubt! Why must he
be assigned to me."
Now. Mrs. Hudsons dearest wish
was TO have these two people fall In
love. She had planned this party for
The sole purpose of having them meet.
but Mrs. Hudson was wise woman
She did not tell all she knew. Besides,
ms she herself often declared being
great matchmaker--one cannot force
such matters. SO she simply said in
answer to her niece: Il want you 10
entertain him. Lillian because he Is a
stranger in town. He is by no means
bore. He is handsome, witty. interest
ing.
What Il paragon, aunt" interrupted
Lillian. Il know shall hate him."
Il believe you wiil.' exclaimed the
elder woman in despair as she left the
room
Lillian resumed her prepare tons for
what promised to be very disagreed
bic evening. Handsome. witty. inter-
esting. That is good description OF
some one ! know" she thought as she
twined some flowers In her hand. He
used to laugh at my fancy for iow-
ers''
The bright look died out Of her face.
Il have not forgotten him. wonder
If | ever will" she whispered, while
be has probably forgotten am in ex.
istence
tear rolled down her cheek "How
fooish." she said as she hastily brush
ed it away.
A pretty picture she made in her
white silk gown, with the flowers
about her head like crown. when a
few minutes later she descended to the
drawing room. So thought young
man who stood watching her as she
came down the stairs and who held
out his hands to her in welcome.
This Is indeed q surprise" he said.
Il did not expect to see you here this
evening"
Mrs. Hudson is my aunt, you know,
or, rather, you do not know never
pentioned her to you, l believe. | did
not know you were friends" she said.
Il am happy to say your aunt is
friend OF mine he said rs they NOV
ed across the hall away from the draw
ing room, where her aunt awaited her.
And the paragon? Lillian had for.
gotten him.
You have changed the young man
said. gazing long and earnestly at her.
'"You have grown from child to wo.
man"
You also have changed" she re-
piled, noting the sternness OF the hand
some face
\ Yes, although fortune has been kind
err to me than l dared to hope. She
has been kind to me tonight he add.
ed. bending over his companion.
She turned and looked from the win.
dow near which they stood. The house
was large, the guests few in number;
no one molested them.
How well | remember the last night
saw you!' he said. There were
flowers in your hair--da sies--like you
wear tonight. One nestled in the curl
above your ear. l wished to take it.
dared not ask for It, although ona
flower more or less would mean moth
Ing to you. You were mere child
with no knowledge Of the world you
were so soon to enter, while | had
nothing neither fame nor fortune
Our lives were apart babe you
goodby that night, but did not forget
you'll could not"
She did not move or turn her head
II have offended you," he said con.
tritely.
mo, no" Lillian answered.
"Oh, but / havev' he cried In dis.
tress. I'm my delight at seeing you I
have overstepped the bounds of polite
ness. / have been rude
You do not understand. was ne
child she said hurriedly, and she
turned to so.
A flower fell from her hair. He
stopped and picked it up.
Keep it, she whispered, moving
away.
He took the flower and with IT her
hand, as ii In that moment he had
OWNED the truth.
AT one time" he said in tones that
trembled, III could have had dow-
er from your hair my happiness would
have been complete Now my happi-
ness will not be complete without the
giver. May l have herr" he whisper.
ed. Say yes" he pleaded.
Who could resist that tender voice?
Not Lillians who loved him with all
her heart. Her answer was low, but
he must have heard 1t, for he kissed
the hower.
THE paragon Lillian said q few
minutes later, suddenly remembering
her aunt's commission.
Filled with emotion. she approached
that lady, who smiled benignly upon
her.
why, you have been talking to him
all the evening" explained her aunt
James, your paragon exclaimed
Lillian In astonishment.
James Mrs. Hudson repeated, in-
dignant at the familiarity.
He and are old friends, aunt. r
met him three years ago when I was
at the maintains with mana nasiAor ~