Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1910-09-09

whole picture suggestive Of youth and
happiness.
Half an hour later the picture was
changed. A woman sat there, rigid,
stricken with sudden age; the eyes
were filled with great despair, the
mouth hopeless in it's painful express
sion. Yet Barbara Walker had not FIX
changed her seat with anyone; the
change had come 70 her, swift, sudden
and appalling.
The postman had given a letter into
the outstretched hands of the young
girl in the morning of light and love.
The letter was opened and read, il fell
from the nerveless hand Of a woman
matured by sudden and awful horror.
Only another man faithless, another
life blighted. Only the old story.
Dear Friend Barbara fear that
you will be somewhat surprised and
panied at what 1 feel compelled to
write you. For many weeks l have
been conscious of a growing change in
my sentiments towards you. What /
thought was love was only fancy-the
could never make o happy as my
wife. Therefore, l trust you will give
me my freedom, as l give you yours,
and always think Of me as your
friend. Howard Snow"
So the beautiful dream of a year that
had filled a young life with the gold
en- glory Of a June sunrise was
quenched in the blackness of a starIess
night.
And while she sat In the shadows,
struggling with her stricken young
heart, that knew not how to entertain
the stranger. pain, striving vainly to
pierce the impenetrable gloom that
shrouded her, a hundred miles away
Howard Snow basked in the sunlight
Of another woman's smile.
Howard Snow was only twenty-three
and Helen Thomas was thirty-one of
those women who ripen like a peach
in the sun, and to whom mature years
add only richer charms.
Rightly directed, her life might have
been Of rare usefulness and power, for
she possessed that strong magnetic
charm that sways the world.
Howard Snow was the only desirable
young man in the little village where
she CHANGED to be spending a few
months with a relative.
H has the face Of a Greek god"
she said, but it needs strong emotion
to perfect it."
He is engaged to a lovely girl, a
fresh wild rose of womanhood, who
visited here last summer" said her
relative.
rs that SOP" responded Helen, as
she dropped her lashes. But she was
most cordial and alluring when she
next met Howard Snow.
1t was the old story Of a young mans
infatuation for a woman older than
himself. 1t blinded his judgment and
blunted his sense of right and wrong,
and made him conscious of but n
desire in life-to be free and under no
obligations to n woman but his
Helen. His bonds to Barbara Walker
grew hateful, and she seemed to him a
child, whose weakness would be a drag
upon him always.
So he freed himself, and for a time
was happy. Then his better nature
awoke with a sudden shock. He spoke
OF marriage to Helen Thomas, and she
laughed in his face.
"MaTriage!" she said. why, you are
only a boy! How can you III Of so
absurd a thing2"
And her laughter had the ring Of
scorn in 1t. .
He applied himself to his profession,
and made a success of it. He grew
rich, prosperous. popular with men, but
feared by women, for his sarcasm was
unsparing and his wit always two
edged. Yet unmarriageable women
sought after him, for he had personal
attractions, added to his wealth and
influence, and seemed a desirable hus-
band for an ambitious oma
But he reached the age of thirty-five
and was still free. And then he met
Barbara Walker again.
Through all these years he had lost
trace Of her, and had heard nothing Of
her.
Now they met suddenly, and to him,
at least, unexpectedly, at a formal din
ner party given by a prominent poll
tician.
Howard Snow was presented to Miss
Il p I1xz- Nv fhn hnC%nnd md rnntInctnI
to lead her into dinner. 1t was Bar
bara Walker! There was no mistaking
the face and form he SO well remem-
bered, and yet what a change!
TT is a long time since we have met,
Mr.. Snow" she said, as they went to
dinner. II am pleased to know Of the
success and prosperity that have at
tended you during these years"
How quietly she spoke of their last
meeting. He wondered is h remem-
bered the parting-a lovers parting.
81 had lost all trace Of you," he
answered, 'but am glad to find, as / do,
that you have been we'll and happy.
Your face denotes both. Where are
your parentsP"
"In heaven, l trust" she said, softly.
They died eight years ago, and left
me all alone. / la an uncle in Amer
lea, and went to him, and have spent
most Of my life in travel since. A few
months ago a longing seized upon me
TO see my own land n my old home
again, so / came back"
Howard Snow scarcely left her side
all the evening. She charmed him with
her descriptions of scenery and chit
chat of foreign life.
II would be glad to CALL" he said,
az they parted. Where can / find
your"
I'm the house where we first met"
she said, glancing up at him with the
old, shy look. Il am visiting the same
' friends"
{ He could not have described his SEN
| sations as he rang the bell the next day
and was ushered into the presence of
the woman who was once his betrothed
wife. Admiration, reverence, respect
and, ii seemed to him. love, stirred to-
gether in his heart.
1t was only n Of many calls. She
was so kind, so cordial, so entertaining.
Her soul was too large TO treasure any
resentment against him for that old
| wrong.
Then by and by he grew to realize
how he was loving this woman. Not
the old love awakened, but a new love
created-the one grand passion Of his
life.
Mentally, morally and physically this
woman ministered to him; her CONVEX
sation charmed him. her moral at