Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1908-07-23

country's wealth and daring. perched
on the bosom OF a princess OF the free.
To Richard. in his present state OF
mind, Harriet seemed the most ra-
dainty perfect creature yet produced
since the world began. AS she bowed
behind the rootlights for the second
time to an enthusiastic encore large
bouquet of American Beauties was
tossed upon the stage. and Miss Har-
riet blushed as she stopped for this
most opposite tribute to her own
charms. When safely behind the cur
tains she glanced at a card attached.
which bore two words. IAN Ameri-
can" This signature was vague, yet
somehow Miss Renwyck picked the
donor out from myriads Of gentlemen
who might better have claimed the
title. and again she blushed as she
buried her face among the fragrant
buds.
"How splendid of himr' she whis-
pered to her roses. IF only he had
been my cowboy perhaps-perhaps'-
But the rest was a secret which the
roses never told.
One by one the guests departed, but
not till the last of them was driven
away on the gravel road did Richard
find an opportunity for a word alone
with his ladylove. He was seated in
darkened nook on the front veranda.
sheltered from the light by thick wis
taria vines. He had lighted a cigar
and was dreaming. as he smoked, OF
how beautiful she was. when suddenly
he caught the swishing sound of skirts.
and she took a wicker rocker by his
side
lord Croyland" she murmured
softly. 81 knew 1t was you by the smell
Of your cigar
Richard was not connoisseur as re-
CARDS tobacco, and he wondered idly
If the real Lord Croyland's favorite
brand was up to the standard of this
doubtful compliment. Miss Harriet
continued:
I'm glad | found you alone, for
want to thank you for these" She
1T was dear of you to send them. and
It pleased me more than l can say"
Nonsense" he laughed. 'No flower
that ever grew is worthy Of you. That
sounds foolish. suppose. for many
people must have said the same be-
fore. but mean it simply. honestly"
Thank you" she said softly. and
both for time were silent.
"Miss Harriet" he ventured present
ly. you are beautiful tonight" He
checked her pleased laugh and contin-
ued earnestly II don't mean that you
are not beautiful always. but have
never seen you In black before. and
How absurdv' she smiled. II shall
soon begin to think you like all the
rest. flatterer-just a fiatterer''-
"No. no." he protested warmly; "it is
more than that. believe me. want tr
carry away with me forever the mem
DRY of you DIS you looked tonight
must leave soon. I'm going home"
"Back to Englandr" she asked
tremor in her voice.
mo. to Texas"
"WhatY'
Richard caught himself just In time.
"Well-er-well. you see." he STAN
good American that think Of your
country now as being quite my own.
l lived down there for nearly year,
you know. and now-and now business
calls me back again."
Once more they were silent for a
little space.
And are you not coming north
again?" she asked him nervously.
1T depends" said Richard the
Brazen. smiling into the wistaria vine.
Listen. Miss Harriet | want to ask
you something No. 1t isn't question
1t is only a flower. would like to
take just one of those roses to a cow
boy down In Texas. will find him
II can. and know 1t will make him
happier than anything else In all the
world. May have the roser'
His tone was sad and low, but Har-
riets tone was lower still when she
answered haltingly:
mo: you need not take it to my hero
Of the plains. No doubt he has forgot
ten me-if he ever thought of meas
shall cease to think of him. What
should cowboy do with a flower?
And yeti will not be ungenerous. To
me you have given all these. Take one
and keep 1t for yourself"
With trembling hand she laid a
rose upon his lap. but Richard forgot
the flower and caught the hand.