The Charles Mix new era. (Wagner, Charles Mix County, S.D.) 1???-1911, 1910-09-09

Innes. / did not know that Sunnyside
was rented. / knew my mother wished
to rent it, without telling my-step-
father, but the news must have
reached her after l left. When l
started east, / had only one idea-to
be alone with my thoughts for a time,
to bury myself here. Then, must
have taken a cold on the train
You came east in clothing suitable
for California" / said, land like all
young girls nowadays, / don't suppose
you wear %fannels." But she was not
listening.
Miss Innes," she said, has my
st%epbrother Arnold gone away?'
What do you mean?' I asked,
startled. But Louise was literal.
He didn't come back that night"
she said, and it was so important
that / should see him"
Il believe he has gone away" I re-
piled uncertainty. isn't it something
that we could attend to instead?'
But she shook her head. II must do
it myself" she said duly.
Halsey came to the door at that mo-
ment and | could hear him ~coaxing
Liddy for admission to the sick room.
Shall / bring him in?" / asked
Louise, uncertain what to do. The
girl seemed to shrink back among
her pillows at the sound of his voice.
| was vaguely irritated with her;
there are few young fellows like Hal
sey-straightforward, honest, and will
ing to sacrifice everything for the one
woman. / knew n once, more than
80 years ago, who was like that; he
died a long time ago. And sometimes
/ take out his picture, with it's cane
and it's queer silk hat, and look at it.
But OF late years it has grown too
painful; he is always a boy-and l am
an old m / would not bring him
back If / could.
Perhaps it was some such mem
DRY that made me call out sharply.
Come in, Halsey." And then l took
my sewing and went into the boulder
beyond. to play propriety. / did not
try to hear what they said, but every
word came through the open door with
curious distinctness. Halsey had evil
IDENTIFY gone over to the bed and l
suppose he kissed her. There was ST.
lence for a moment, as If words were
superfluous things.
Il have been almost wild, sweet
heart ,"-Halsey's voice. why didn't
you trust me, and send for me be-
fore?"
1T was because ! couldn't trust my
self" she said in a low tone. II am
too weak to struggle to-day; oh, Hal
sey, how / have wanted to see you'll"
There was something / did not hear,
then Halsey again.
I'VE could go away" he was say.
ing. What does it matter about any
n in the world but just the two of
us? To be always together, like this,
hand in hand; Louise-don't tell me
it isn't going to be. I won't believe
you"
You don't know; you don't know
Louise repeated DULY. "Halsey, l care
you know that-but-not enough to
marry you"
THAT is not true, Louise" he said
sternly. "You cannot look at me with
your honest eyes and say that"
I cannot marry you," she repeated
miserably. tits bad enough, isn't it?
Don't make it worse. Some day, be-
fore long, you will be glad"
Then it is because you have never
loved me-" There were depths of hurt
pride in his voice. you saw how
much I loved you, and you let me
think you cared-for a while. No
that isn't: like you, Louise. There is
something you haven't told me. Ia it
because there is some one else?"
Yes almost inaudibly.
Louise! Oh, ! don't believe It"
1T Is true" she said sadly. "Halsey.
You must not try to see me again. AS
soon as | can, / am going away from
here-where you T all SO much kind