Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1909-05-14

the thought that he possessed her love
unasked, unsought. Strange that his
possession never seemed quite so val
liable as tonight. He wondered what
Sidney was saying to make her smile
and blush 30 deeply, Well, the act
would soon be over, and then he and
Roberts would 80 and see them, and
DO give the public TO understand that
matters were as usual between him
and Miss Brandon.
With this thought he resolutely
perseveringly held 1t there until the
curtain fell. Then, turning to Roberts,
he proposed that they should go over
to the opposite box.
AS they entered It Sidney greeted
them In his usual sincere and hearty
manner while Lulu, with a smile, gavs
her hand first to Clarence and then 10
Roberts, at the same time m%otionins
her lover to a seat by her side. AS
Roberts for Il few minutes engaged Std
ney In conversation, Curtis managed
to ask Miss Brandon why she had not
informed him Of her desire to come to
the theater. She frankly replied that
she had felt no special wish to do so
until Sidney Unexpectedly called and
asked her to accompany him. This sle
told him with a manner so devoid OF
coquetry that lie felt reassured, n
left her with Il compliment feeling that
he was quite sure of her affection.
He called to see her the next ever
ing as usual, and nothing was aid of
the recent incident. Clarence's brief
jealousy was forgotten, and he calmly
accepted the old condition of things.
Why should he be In haste to marry
even the most charming girl in the
world?
He hesitated to give up the freedom
and luxury of bachelorhood for the re-
straints which marriage must inevita-
bly, bring. Lulu was such a delightful
companion and sweetheart. Would she
be equally charming as II wife? Wheth-
er or not she wished to marry, he
lived for his own comfort, and self was
his first consideration. SO when he
left her that evening the words were
still unspoken which would bind her
to him. and he was yet a free man.
A fortnight passed us usual, with
no change in the relations of the two.
Lulu was a proud girl, and Mrs. Cor
mans look Of inquiry every time they
now met was hard to bear. Matters
reached a climax on the day when
Belle inc%autiOusly said:
Il have been scolding Clarence about
you. Lulu. l tell him he will rue his
Indifference when it Is too late"
Indeed !" Lulu's laugh was rather
forced. And what did my lord sayY'
"Oh, that he was sure Of you, or
something Of the sort. He is abom-
inably concelted, though he is my
brother"
.'Are not not all men sol" asked Lu-
lu, lightly; but her eyes were like
sparks.
When, ut 8 o'clock next evening,
Clarence called to see Miss Brandon,
the maid informed him that she had
Just went out with Mr.. Lawrence"
Again the green-eyed demon seized the
tardy wooer, and this time it wonder
fully Qulckened his latent love. He re
solved to ask the important question at
once. Early the next morning he went
to the home Of his sweetheart, only
to find that she had gone out for the
day. Clarence vas seriously disturbed.
He felt that something was wrong. II
he could only see Lulu for a few min
utes, matters would be settled to his
satisfaction, he assured himself. But
alas. that little word 'if' has often
proved n barrier stronger than prison
walls or iron bands.
He was bafied in every attempt to
see Miss Brandon alone, until he was
forced to admit that she purposely
sought to evade a meeting with him.
This only made him more eager and
determined to bring n about, but
more than two months elapsed before
he succeeded In securing the long and
much desired interview. At last he
wrote her n note, requesting some
what imperatively to be allowed to see
her privately. The reply was brief,
simply stating that she would receive
him that evening Mt s o'clock.
Promptly at the time designated
Clarence entered the familiar parlor
and was greeted cordially by Lu, who
yet evaded the accustomed lover-like
caress.
"'Great minds run In the same chan
nell Clarence. At the moment I re-
ceived your note | was writing you an
Invitation to CALL"
This little speech quickly d~issipated
the suspicion which had arisen in his
mind ut his reception, and he resolved
to state the object of his call without
delay.
Dear Lulu he said, taking her
hand In his, II have come this even-
Ing to ask you to name an early date
for our marriage. l want my wife as
soon as possible"
She allowed him to retain her hand.
but the crimson deepened upon the fair
cheeks ms she replied:
Clarence, I have something to say
which may give you pain. During the
last few years l have been dlmly con-
scious that we are not exactly suited
to each other, although a month ago I
should have Indignantly refuted such
an implication from anyone else. l
am now fully convinced that II united
we should not be happy. More than
this" here she spoke n softly ind
tenderly, II have been mistaken in
"a. !. FL. - -.+a -l r - -,