Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1909-10-01

on his personal VOlltlOn. BUT now IC"
of the great events of life are trough
about by our choice alone!
Just at sunset he crossed the bridge
over the brook which formed the boun-
Diary line of the farm. and as he did so
heard a light fcotstep, Lifting his
eyes, he saw Pepeeta, who at that
very instant stepped out Of the low
bushes which lined the trail she had
been following.
Her appearance was as sudden as an
apparition and her beauty daZzled him.
Her face, flushed with exercise, glcam-
ed against the background of her black
hair with a sort of spiritual radiance.
When she saw the Quaker, a smile of
unmistakable delight dashed upon her
features and added to her bewitchinS
| grace. She might have been an Dread
or a Dryad wandering alone through
| the great forest. What bliss for youth
and beauty to meet thus at the close
| of day amid the ]solltudes of Nature!
Had Nature forgotten hehself, to
| permit these two young and impress
sionable beings to enjoy this pleasure
on a lonely road just as the day was
| dying and the tense energies of the
| world were relaxed? There are times
when her Indifference to her own most
i~nviolablc laws seems a~narchic. There
are moments when she appear wan
tonly to lure her children to destruC-
ton.
They gaZed into each others eyes,
they knew not how long, with an in
comprehensive and delicious joy, ana
then looked down upon the ground.
Having regained their by
this act, they lifted their eyes and re-
o. rdnl each other with frank and
friendly smiles.
Il thought thee had gone,' said Da-
vid
w stayed longer han we expect
ed" Pepeeta replied.
Has thee been hunting wild flow
ers?" he asked. observing the bouquet
which she held in her hand
II picked them on the way
Thee does love the woods"
ooh, so much! I am a sort Of wild
~creature and should like to live in a
cave
II am afraid thee would always turn
thy face homeward at dusk, as thee is
doing now he said with a smile.
"Oh, no! l am not afraid! / go
ecaus I must"
The path was wide enough for two,
and side by side they moved slowly
forward.
The somber garb in which he was
dressed. and the brilliant colors of her
apparel, afforded a contrast like that
TIVE a pheasant and a scarlet tana-
ger. Color, form. motion-all were per-
feet. They fitted into the scene with
out a jar or discord, and enhanced
rather han disturbed the harmony OF
the drowsy landscape.
A, tLor yyallxe1 nnuvor ri thay ,or,-,
| ly felt the influence OF the repose that
was stealing upon the tired world; the
intellectual and volitional elements OF
their natures becoming gradually uui-
escent, the emotions were given full
sway. The felt themselves drawn to-
ward each other by some irresistible
mower, and, although they had never
before been conscious of any incOm-
! pleteness of their lives. they suddenly
discovered affinitics of whose exist
ence they had never dreamed Their
tw,: personalities seemed to be alb
sorbed into one new mysterious and
indivisible being, and this identity gave
them an incomprehensible joy. Over
them as they walked, Nature brooded,
sphynx-like. Their young and healthy
natures were tuned in unison with the
harmonies of the world like perfect in
from which the delicate fin
| gers Of the great Musician evoked a
| melody Of which she never tired, re-
serving her discords for a future day.
On this delicious evening she permit
ted them to be thrilled through and
through with joy and hope and she ac-
| companied the song their hearts were
singing with her own m"ultitudinous
voices. BE happy" chirped the birds;
..hn harny" uhiSnarp6 tho avarirp
breeze; 'be happy" murmured the
brook, running along by their side and
looking up into their faces with laugh
ter. The whole worid seemed to re-
sound with the refrain, BE happy!
Be happy! for you are young, are
young!" Pepeeta first broke the 81
lence.
II had never heard of the things
about which you talked she said.
Thee never had? How could that
be-? 1 thought that every one knew
them!"
Il must have lived in a different
world from yours"
And thee was happy?"
II thought so until l heard what you
said. Since then I have been full of
care and trouble. I wish I knew what
you meant! But I have seen that
wonderful light
Thee has seen it?"
Yes. to-day! And I followed it; 1
shall always follow it."
when does thee leave the %village?"
David asked, fearing the conversation
would lead where he did not want to
go.
Tomorrow" said.
Does thee think hat the doctor
would rnnoy,- hic Nffar 70 tala mo with
him?"
do I air so? Oh! l am sure"
Then l will 60"
You will go? Oh, I am so happy!
The doctor was very angry; he has not
been himself since. You don't know
how glad he will be-"
But will not thee be happy. too?'
he asked.
Happier h a you could dream" see
answered with all the frankness of a
child.
Having reached the edge of the
woods, where their paths separated.
they paused.
1--WE must part said David.
Yes; but we shall meet M
row.
Goodbye"
Goodbye"
At the touch of their hands their
young hearts were swayed by tender
and tumultuous feelings. A toe strong
-N.,,, 800