The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1910-09-01

hanged. A oma sat there, rigid,
stricken with sudden age; the eyes
were fied with great despair, the
mouth hopeless in its painful express
sion. Yet Barbara Walker had not ex-
changed her seat with anyone; the
change had come to 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, 1t 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 h l feel compelled to
write you. For many weeks I have
been conscious of a growing change In
my sentiments towards YOU. What I
thougkt was love was only fancy-the
result of association. Knowing this, I
could never make you happy as my
Wife Therefore I trust YOU will give
me my freedom, as / 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 Jun sunrise was
quenched in the blackness of a starless
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
laoMaiu SHOW pasked IN the sunllght
VI dlolleI WoHlans smile.
Oval snow was only Wenty-three
and Helen Thomas was thirty-one of
those wonen who ripen like a peach
In the sun, and to whom mature years
aoa oHiy flcher cnar1ms:
hashely dlrected, her llfe nigh have
peeh 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
sle Snanced 10 pc a few
ihorrLs WIN a TeiatlVe. =.
ne mas the race OF a Greek god"
she SAD, .Shut 1t needs strong emotion
10 Perlect II.
he Is engaged TO a lovely girl, a
1resn WIG rose or who
Vlslted mere last summer said her
! reiatlVe.
Is lnat So. responded Helen, as
she dropped her lashes. But she was
most cordlal ana allur1ng when She
next met w Snow.
II was the ola story or a young mans
Tor a woman older than
himself. It blinded his judgment and
olunted ms sense OF light and wrong,
ana mace MN conscious Of but one
oeslre IN llfe-to be free under no
to any woman but his
delen, HIS ponds TO barbara Walker
grew hatefe., she seemed to him a
cnllu' whose Wouid pc a drag
upon MN always
80 ne freed himself, and for a time
was happy. Ihen his better nature
aWohe WIN a sqooen snock. lie spoke
OF marriage 70 Helen Thomas, and she
gne IN ms race.
Marriage! she SAID. Why, you are
only a poy! How can you think of SO
absurd a thlngT
ana her aughter a the ring Of
scoTn IN u:
he applled h1mself to his profession,
n made a success OF 1t. He grew
rlch, prosperous, popular with men, but
reared by Women, Tor MS sarcasm was
unsparlhg and ms WIT always two
eagea. 1et unlnarrlageabl women
seugnt after MIN, for he had personal
attractions, added to his wealth and
influence, and seemed a desirable hus-
eano Tor an AMBITIOUS woman.
But ne reacheo the age or th1rty-fve
and was stu! free. And then he met
Barbara Walker again.
through all these years he had lost
trace OF her' and a heard nothing Of
her.
NOW n met suddenly, and to him,
at least, Unexpectedly, at a formal din
ner party given by a prominent poll
tlc1an.
HoWard snow was presented to Miss
walker by the hostess, ana requested
to lead her into dinner. 1t was Bar
para walker! There was no installing
the race ana FORM ne SO well remem-
oered, ana yet what a change!
II is a i0ng uIne since we nave met,
MT. snow, she sald' as they went to
aihner. u am pleased TO know OF the
success ana prosperity that have at
tenueo you curing tnese years.
doW quletiy she spoke OF their last
iaeetihg. ne is she remem-
pereu ths partihg- lovers parting.
L mad lost all trace OF you" he
answered but am glad to lind, as do,
MAJ you nave been Wen and happy.
your race aenotes potl. Where are
your parents
IN heaven, trust, she said, softly.
"Ihey dled eight years ago and left
me an alone. l hao an uncle IN Amer
lca, ana Went 10 MIN, ana nave spent
rnost OF my IRE IN travel SINCE. A few
ihollths 8 ionsiHs seized upon me
70 see my own ana ana my Old home
again. SO l came G
ono" ScarGely leit her side