The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1912-10-24

had finally saved the plantation and
home by pledging the interest on the
mortgage. There was one more child.
a boy OF sixteen. The brother and sis.
ter were keeping him at college now
and had planned that he should take
the course in law after his academic
studies were completed. Was there
more courage in New England. | won
dered. and was it not the blood of the
cavalier that was telling now? She
had given me her confidence without
restraint. for she believed me then to
De one with the Kentucky Palmers.
and |. weak creature. dared not dis
abuse her mind for fear of losing that
confidence and friendship which this
fictitious relationship had inspired.
And now. Mr.. Inquisitive." she said.
IF You have finished your catechism,
| will mix the batter and you will go
for a long walk and get an appetite for
BREAKFAST
She had rolled up her sleeves in order
to knead the dough, and with her arms
barred to the elbow she pointed out to
me i road which she advised me to
take. telling me it would bring me to
the Old O~glethOrpe bridge.
But your father promised that you
should take me there" | said. and
that is n debt Of honor you must pay"
Every well,' she laughed. rs if pre-
pairing to go, but you will go without
your breakfast. and, what is worse,
Bud will call you out for making him
lose his. for he comes from the fields
hungry and out of temper sometimes"
II would not mind going without
mine" ! sand. but heaven forbid hat
SO fine 4 fellow should 90 without his"
Te;Is came INTO her eyes, but she
soon rrusheu them away and with a
smile sad;
you touched n weak spot then. Bud
is the salt Of the earth, and he deserves
to find diamonds in this dull soil in
stead Of fighting out his life for Il few
pounds Of cotton"
| started down the road which she
had pointed out, wondering what had
come over me when my life in Boston
had seemed a thing forgotten in n few
hours and my work and literary career
become a secondary matter with me
| passed through al Old orchard, where
the opening apple buds tent their fra
GRANGE to the air, and by my side II
seemed to me that the unseen presence
Of Miss Ellen walked.
The dogWood was blossoming down
by the branch, and when | reached the
pine trees their crisp needles. stirring
in the breeze, seemed singing some
blithesome air instead of wailing
~mourufully. as they had done the even
ing previous. | saw her little rose
garden and, picking the only flower
then in bloom, hid it away beneath my
waistcoat. There was an imprisoned
pictureSqueneSs in the unkcpt lawn,
and out Of the cedar and underbrush |
might have expected to see some dryad
come. ! found the bridge by the path
Miss Ellen had pointed out and for
an hour sat reclining upon its ivy
colored arch conjuring up such scenes
as | imagined had been enacted here
when It's owners lived in ailluence and
when women in silks and satin and
powdered hair sat in the oaken dining
hall and danced the stately minuet on
rich carpets and under many lights
In my mental vision | thought | saw
one with the features OF Miss Ellen
who glided past all others and stood in
gay colOred brocade waiting to be
wooed like a princess. The picture
faded, and | saw the real Ellen. none
the less regal. but in place Of the scorn
the other wore upon her lips there was
a gentle patience. and about her form
there hung a simple cotton gown more
beautiful than the stately gown woven
In my dream picture. | must have
been asleep. then. after all. | thought.
looking at my watch, for II was past
the time when she told me to be back.
Hurrying home the way | anne. !
A'nh them seated at the breakfast