Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1911-01-06

l nave loved you ever since the
first day you came into my life. But
until l could In some way be assured
that you returned my affection. |
hope l am not mistaken. but IL I am,
tell me the truth at once. II I am
not, l want you to marry me and sail
Tor Europe on June the first, de
votedly, John Cromlin.'"
Miss Benson look the letter with
shaking fingers. But her lips were
compressed and told nothing Of the
inward struggle, to John Cromlin.
His eyes were on the ceiling and his
mind running ahead for the next
letter.
Now, take this" he said, as the
girl looked up and 5ignifed that the
other WAS finished.
Dear Miss Benson: am to
be absent from New York for the
next six months. 1t will OF course be
necessary to close this office during
hat time. and I shall be compelled to
dispense with our services for the
present. However, il you care to be
governed by my counsel l know OF
another place-a more agreeable one,
l hope-which | can cur for you
without any trouble. Kindly let me
have your reply as soon as possible,
so that 1t a be filed along with
other matters. Yours sincerely,
John Cromlin."
Vera Benson vent through with the
second letter with a feeling of iron
determination. 1t was just as h
Lad apprehended; she was to be dis
charged from the office. and her en-
ployer. always kind and gentle, was
breaking the new az carefully as he
could. Tears sprang to her eyes, but
she dashed them away with SELF
scorn and bit her lips hard to bring
the blood back to them.
When the two letters had been
folded and laid aside. she took up
two envelopes. and ran one into tho
machine. which she addressed to
Vera Benson,
Care Cromlln & West, Attorneys
at Law,
New York city,
Mr.. West will return from the
south soon?" she asked, doing her
best to seem matter-offact.
Not until we come home from Eu-
rope-Mrs. Cromlin and myself"
You forgot to give me the address
for-for this other letter. Mr.. Crom-
l1n," she reminded him. family. as he
seemed to be waiting for some
thing.
"Oh, I did" he exclaimed, in a
O n Of assumed surprise. How
careless of me, to be sure. But
Perhaps you didn't intend to, any
way" she supplied. stinly, as he
to hesitate. Tt.-s
For the first time, Cromlin felt
Of uneasiness stir in mis-
heart. He could not understand her
GOODNESS. He had thought-he had
been, In fact, SO sure that she cared.
and wv He rose abruptly and
went to her side. Suppose. after all. |
that there was someone else-that he |
had been "a fool!
Vera" he broke out abruptly, |
stung to speech by his fears, what is |
It? Are you-do you care for-for
one?"
do I care for some one?" .he d.
manded, frigidly.
Yes"
And may l ask what right yon
have to put such a question. Mr..
|
Il thought I had" he said slowly.
She looked up at him thoughtfully.
have been good and generous
to me always, and / don't mind admit
ting that-that do care for some |
one" she replied. Please forgive my
.curtness. Have you anything else to
Mr.. Cromlin?"
No; I am tired OF debating.
want some n to dictate to mo for
awhile. Are you ready to address that |
letter."
In silence she took up the other ev-
velope and fed 1t to the machine.
Cromlin went to the back OF her
chair and stood with one hand rest i
Ing on the top round of it. He
spoke in q concise. bu~siness.lks
lone.
miss Vera Benson.
'15i5 West 9th Street,
New York. N. Y"
A peremptory call on the tele.
phone interrupted his next move.
nent. When he came back; Miss
Benson sat with both hands pressed
her scorching face.
Well" he said, have you decided
o accept the other place?"
She CAV him her e for q brief
Instant; they were moist and dark
md luminous.
He rent and lifted her chin In his
lands. When do you begin your dc
ation?" he asked.
AT once" she replied, sterniy: Ego
back to your desk and take down my
answer to your letter"