The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1910-08-04
The Girl at
Potchefstroonl

Town in the morning, every one was
making the most of the last night.
The promenade deck was full Of laugh.
ter and electric light right up to the
wind screens.
1.-THE end of the voyage" said a
woman's voice from the depth of q
cushioned chair.
'The end of everything" said a
mans voice.
There was. Of course, a man.
The movement In the cushioned
chair suggested the struggling Of
shoulders.
BE serious" she commanded. ito.
night. please"
His hand invaded the big chair, and
came to rest upon an arm.
Il grew serious fortnight ago. l
should not tell you. only-you know,
don't you. dear?"
Il know" there was another move.
ment in the cushioned chair as If her
arm went little closer to his hand.
Il grew little serious. too" she con-
fessed. He had to bend over to catch
her words.
Il didn't mean ever to tell you. but
you knew. too"
Il knew" she sighed. shall you
mind very much?"
why do you ask?" she cried pas.
sionately.
rs it wrong?"
us Unnecessary" There was a
sharp catch in her voice. and he
stroked her arm gently.
1T Is going to hurt me horribly. lit.
tie girl. don't complain of that. It's
been worth it. If only it wouldn't hurt
you"
"You have-the girl at Potchef.
stroom." she said with sharp ring in
her voice.
Il suppose So" he said rather impa.
tiently. Il don't want to think about
her tonight; don't ask me any more.
please"
only this: Is she good? Really
and truly good?"
Yes" he declared. "she is good
Certainly she is that"
rs she very fond of your"
She Is fond Of me. Don't talk Of
her any more"
viii she have been fiirting?"
Il don't think so. You see, she is
Oh! never mind her tonight"
Il do mind her." They were silent
for long time. Then she put her
hand gently in his.
BE good to her." she said huskily,
Yes. yes. She doesn't matter.
dear"
Doesn't matter?"
She makes no difference. You for.
get that you are engaged?"
IF you knew how l hate him!"
There's no reason why you should. I"
mo reason! When l know that he
Will have you! Sometimes feel as If
l shall go out of my mind when |
think of it."
Poor boy!" She turned to him
suddenly. Would it relieve you very
much if you heard that it was broken
OFF,"
"Of course it would. What a selfish
brute ami"
She laughed softly.
Il like you to be selfish over me i,
am going to tell you some.
thing to make you little happier. I
expect you will be cross with me. But
you will remember that it is our last
night, won't you? You can hold my
hand while tell you oh!
You know l do?
DO you remember the first Sunday
afternoon, when you talked to me at
tea? was so lonely and miserable,
! came and sat opposite to you, just
to see If you would speak to mel
thought you were very kind"
Il haven't proved kind, DEAR" he
sighed. 1T would have been better
for you If had not spoken"
mo, no! shall always be glad it
happened-always was talk.
ing about that Saturday afternoon. Do
you recollect we went and sat on
seat with rugs round us? Wasn't it
cold and wretched?"
Il wasn't wretched. didn't think
you WERE"
meant before you talked to me.
1t seemed all right then. You told me
you were going to Potchefstroom, and
/ asked If you knew any one in the
place. and you said there was a girl
there. You remember. Don't you?"
Eyes, but" He frowned, but he
could not see in the dusk.
"Of course. ought not to have let
you care for me after that"
She played with her handkerchief.
Il don't>know why l do things.
suppose l thought it put us both on
the same level l think l was
little afraid of liking you, even then.
So told you about-him. | wish l
hadn't"
He drew her a little closer.
1T was right to tell me about him.
he said. Il don't want to know about
him. but hope he's good fellow. I
try to hope that you will forget me
and be happy with him. and-I try
but ] don't succeed. little grill" He
groaned, and she clutched his arm sud.
1rv