Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1912-07-01

VsSs ~ - ss~~~ W ~ W. NASSs ~'S
would she give up the work she had
undertaken, or would her pride allow
her to accept any assistance for her
family1 I felt there were depths to
her nature which I had not been able
to sound In the short time I had been
there.
For fear Of wounding her I had 10.
mained silent, but ] was now resolved
70 speak to her before leaving. and had
] received orders that night to return
10 Boston l would have told her of my
boundless love and asked her to be-
come my wife. Still wavering between
my inclination to declare my love and
fear Of being too precipitate. I returned
30 the Pines. I did not see her until
dinner time. however. then only during
. hasty meal. after which we assisted
her to clear the table and place .
number Of small one on the side porch
for the party. We laid the collation.
for the evenings entertainment and
then went to dress.
It was with some misgivings that !
donned my evening suit, but on COM
ing downstairs l found the colonel ar
ray&d In one Of an anterior date and
Bun transformed from the plow hand
Of the morning in the suit he had
worn at the time Of his graduation. A
number Of young girls had arrived BE-
fore Miss Ellen came down. and the
men were assembled at the foot Of the
stairs AZ II waiting for her.
Ny heart seemed to stop beating a.
I saw her 1.-THE and graceful figure,
clad in IN old brocade Of her mother,
coming toward me Her hair wal built
high on her head. which seemed to
change her whole appearance and
made me start 40 I remembered my
dream picture. The brocade was fad.
Cd, but its gloss and richness remain
"a. Her shoulders were bare, and her
Tilted chin gave her the dir Of some
quaint old medieval picture come to
tfe.
Am ! not in keeping with the
houssr" she said, interpreting my
gaze.
"You are like a queen" I said.
Then You shall pay me court for
this one night" she answered and held
out her hand to me, which I took. and.
with the manner Of an old time south.
ern gentleman, Just as l had seen Colo
mel Turpin do, I bowed low and for a
moment let my lips llnger on the dps
OF her fingers.
"You have other courtiers," said one
OF several men who came forward to
Join us.
She held out her hand, and as she
did 10 she looked at me for a second.
She withdrew It gracefully and added.
With a smile. Il was only admitting
4, new one" and then babe me fol.
low her. She introduced me here and
there and told me how many times
I must dance with each. We went
% the porch. and. standing there,
was again struck with the resem.
blance to TIE lady in my dream.
You are like the first part Of ~
picture" l said softly.
"Then let me play It for this even
Ing" she said. "And IL you can i'm
agine me a colonial dame you shall be
q courtier from King Georges court"
Good" I cried, III you will admit
that I have come across the seas
a.wooing!"
AS you will, my lord" spreading
out her gown and %courtesying. but l
will not be responsible for the conse-
quences. So see to 1t that you play
well your part, else ! will send you to
your king again."
After that ! addressed her only 40
most gracious LADY, or fair Mistress
Ellen" l wooed her In the strange
and quaint language Of a hundred
years ago. Sometimes she seemed
startled at my e~arnestness. and when
thinking my speech too fervent she
would bid me 60 hence and add an
other wallfower to my already large
bouquet / would straightway return
and tell her Of the court life and wovo
amid my imagery an odd mixture Of
my New England home. Once, taking
her hand for q moment and looking
into her eyes. I said:
"Ah, Ellen, love You well, and !