Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1916-02-17
what a mind! Horace. hat wager

must be won. 1t is worth more than q
thousand dollars, my boy"
From books they passed to music,
and it was an easy transition to the
grand piano in the corner. MI. Cooke
took his seat at the instrument to re-
call to her memory a favoritc air. His
voice was good, his accompaniment
showed skill and taste, aud bent upon
dazzling the widow, he sang with feel
ing and power.
do you remember this?" he asked.
touching a few chords Of a duet from
Martha, after finishing his own ong.
She replied by singing the first notes.
A bold chord supporting her OCCASION
ally, she gradually let h, voice out in
all its rich beauty, and his blended
with it. He sung low, listening in
tently. All! Mr.. Cooke, who is dazzled
nowp
At last he rose to take his leave, ask
ing and recei"ing permission to call
again; and Mrs. Dayton took up a book,
threw it aside, practiced a few mo-
ments, and stopped when she found she
was singing his song, walked out and
returned home, wondering why she
could not get THAT man out Of her
mind.
To say that their future intercourse
was pleasant is Il duh phrase to de-
scribe it. Each being BEN upon max
ing a conquest of the other their best
powers were exerted. their richest
treasures of wit, accomplishment, and
thought displayed; and somehow Mr..
Cook began to feel ashamed of his
wager, and Mrs. DAYTON wished she had
never sect Horace Cooke.
1t was one lovely day in early spring
that he called to take her to ride. and
found her sad and dispirited. Fortunes
would not have made her confess it, but
the gay widow was in love.
They were out of town, driving
through an avenue of large, splendid
trees, when Mr.. Cooke began to talk of
love. 1t aroused the widow from her
he was making at her secret.
'Love!" she said, scornfully. bah!
A school boys first passion before he
leaves pinafores is dignited with the
name. An old mans doting is called
love!n
Yet the hottest, highest feeling of
the heart of man in his prime of power
has nc higher name" said her com
panion.
''Mnnm she said. scornfully. MAN
in his prime of power!! I'll tell you
how it is with men. From the time
they walk to school beside the hoyden-
ish girl until they are 20, they fancy
they are in love. Every pretty face
calls forth the p~rotcstation of IL passion
you just tried to dignity. They love
fifty times, and to the iifty-tirst flame is
offered the battered, WORKOUT heart as
if it were bran new and fresh.'
You wrong us" he said, reused in
his turn by the keen satire in her tone
and lock. Though each admiration
of boylood and youth may call forth a
passing feeling, it is cvanescent, and
passes like u ripple on deep water. But
when the depths OF these waters are
stirred by the hurricane of real. earn.
est true love it is no subject for ieers
but if not calling for II return it at least
merits sympathy and comfort" and he
let his voice fail into a low, tender
cadence.
Mrs. DAYTON felt uncomfortable. The
laughing response which rose to hel
lips died there. She louged to tell hin
her belief in his doctrine. They were
going slowly, quietly along, each oc
cupied with his own thoughts, wher
the scream of Il locomotive startled tn,
horse. and he dashed forward at IA ful
gallop.
There was Il rush. Il crash. and the,
were on the ro~adside-the horse ,
mangled corpse; the carriage thrown
violently back several feet; Mr.. Cook,
inscnsible on the grass, and Mrs. Day
ton on the other side OF the road un
injured.
Mrs. Dayton sat up, and, with
nervous historical laugh. called he
companions name. He did no answer
She went to his side. He was still
white, insenSible, and she thought hin
dead. With u wild crv she raised hi
head to her breast. calling his name
Horace, dear Horace" and Begging
him to look at her. Then she looked
round for help. There was no hous'
in sight. Mrs. Dayton was not a woma,
To spend many moments in useles
grief. She soon recovered her presenc,
of mind. Her V%inaigrette full of salt
was hanging to her belt, and drew on
the cork and tried its effect. Her com
panion was only stunned. and in u few
moments he was able to feel her han.