The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1912-04-26

be fitting II your-er-ah-nance Wis
tied us before your wedding. I sup
pose I should get acquainted with.
the young chap before he comes into
the family" He heaved a sigh as he
thought OF some new books that were
still unread. Yes, II In clearly my
duty. Is he fond OF outdoor sports?"l
Uncle Emmett had visions OF trailing.
dismally in the wake OF an enthusiast
tic golfer.
Twill see IL he can come" she
answered, but do not think he will
trouble you with athletics" With
that he was content.
However, Il was not so easy TO sat
isfy Mrs. Tompkins, their old house
keeper. who had overheard the ques-
ton and answer.
Seems to me your young man
would be comm OF his own accord
before the weddin' day" she remark
ed later with the familiarity Of an old
servant
"He has been very busy. expect
a letter today" evaded Dorothy.
Mrs. Tompkins smiled. I'm my day
young men were more keen. They
always managed TO see their sweet 4
hearts pretty often, business or no
business"
81 must dress and 60 down for
mail" said Dorothy.
IL feel almost as II Il were true"
she thought, as she fastened her
| MIL ch
Then the full force OF the case rushs q
over her. "Oh, I'm so tired Of subter-@
fuges and lies-lies-yes, that Is what
they have been. I, who have always
prided myself on my truthfulness! !
began It all In fun. never dreaming II
would go SO far. I can't explain now
without making myself a laughing
stock. Oh, II II were true and wac
going to be happy like other WON
EN-"
She was descending the stairs when
a knock sounded at the front door.
On opening Il she found q tall, keen
eyed young man standing on the porch.
'Ts this Miss Dorothy Bowers?" he
asked. as he took OF his broad.
brimmed straw hat.
Wonderingly, she assented.
81 am r. NJ. Morton, OF Blue Mound.
Nebraska"
"T. NJ. Morton!" she repeated.
"Yes." Seeing the puzzled look In
the big brown eyes. he added. May
/ come in and EXPLAIN"
She led the way into the living
room, which he seemed to fill with his
virile personality.
He drew from his pocket pack.
age Of letters whose addresses Doro.
thy saw with flush OF recognition.
I'm afraid I've gotten hold OF
some letters that were meant for an
other fellow" he began with a glance
at the diamond on her finger. 'Tt
may have caused you trouble. II ST.
I'm sorry.
II was honest in thinking II mine
when I opened the first. There was
a bunch OF them addressed to T. NJ
Morton. advertised IN the Chicago
papers. When ! went there with a
carload Of cattle was expecting
some mail through the general deliv-
cry, so naturally thought these were
mine"
She did not speak, and he contin-
ued: 81 know I was a cad TO read the
others-but the temptation was too
strong. You see have dreamed so
often of little girl who would write
letters like those to me. I have been
alone so much with no one to know or
care since bought my ranch, and the
thought took a pretty strong grip on
me. Strangely enough, my dream
sweetheart had brown eyes like yours.
''But it all came over me the other
a night what I'd done in keeping these
! letters from some one else-the lucky
, chap to whom they belong. And re
solved to return them to you"
Dorothy clasped her slim hands
;. tightly. 'There-there is no other
). man." she said
mo other MANI"
, mo, mine was only a fancy, too"
, Then, briefly. che told him Of the
whole affair, from the sudden impulse
TO play a joke on the club girls until
before she was aware OF the fact she
|. had been caught in a maze Of her own
making from which she couldn't ex-
: tricate herself without ridicule and
modification. ats wonderful relief
:. TO tell the truth at last; had no idea
: OF letting the Joke go so far-and now
I'm not brave enough 10 own to the
facts. so I've decided to have my
: fiance die" she concluded, with a
tremulous little laugh.
Into his keen eyes came new light.
He crossed the room and took the
1 nervous little hands.
e II have better idea, Dorothy. Let
h Il be true about the dream chap. Let!
!. me take his place! There are stffs
' eleven days In which we can get ac.'
quainted before the date of the we'd
/ ding. And We can say a lot in that
y time. I'll furnish references about my
i character and business prospects to
{ your uncle. know I'm unpublished.
!. though I've always tried to be -
n cent sort. But II at the last you doh !
/ want me. I'll go-away"
As IL drawn by the magnetism OF his
I earnest eyes, Dorothy rose, her hand