The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1881-07-21
LOVES CONQUEST.

lake, on whose placid breast the moonbeoms
played ut will.
Such the picture, had one been mere
two actors. surroundings were lost sight of
they thought only Of themselves.
Mocking the moon-r rays. when they
glanced upward, they could see on the
bank above them the twinkling lights Of
Riverlene. and hear the merry voices and
gay laughter of the group from which they
had escaped.
Arch smiles had passed between its mem
bers as they had seen Gwendoline Cassilis
and Colonel Hitler stroll Off, arm in arm,
to where the little boat was mOOred.
The women had almost ceased to be jeal-
Gus of Gwerdollne, or to ask where lay
her charms. She exercised her fascination
even among them as among men, and they
bowed before her-irst from necessity,
then from choice.
But though her victims were countless,
she was twenty three, and Gwendoline
Cassilis still. However, this time she had
encountered-the little world at Lady
Southweils country seat said-a foeman
worthy Of her steel
What she was amongme Claude Hitler
was amorg women. Therefore. seeing
those two brought beneath the same roof,
and thrown into daily intercourse, rumor
was rife, and speculation awaited results
with bate:l breath Meantime the little
boat tloated calmly on the quiet surface Of
the lake.
Miss Cassilis.'
It was the first word either had spoken in
full five minutes.
She glanced up at the speaker. The white
lace thrown carelessly upon her dark hair,
out from which peered the beautiful, pale
face, lent her some of the moons mystic
charm; but meeting the magnetic gaze of
the dark, earnest eyes bent upon her, bers
fell for an instant; then, as though ashamed
of the momentary weakness, and again
shot questioning look into the handsome
face Of the beau sabreur who sat opposite
her.
Miss Cassilis, he repeated, slowly, did
you know that We were il danger?'
In danger?'
Her cheek grew a shade paler. She
glanced up at the blue vault where sailed SO
majestically the Goddess of Night-down
into the dark depths Of the waters, only to
see Luna's brilliancy reflected there
around. about her. Not leahet stirred.
NO" he said, in answer to her look, mot
from any of these. The moon, the wind.
the water, all are our friends to- night. We
are III UtuSet IRON eHCu OtueI.
Oh, how she prayed the moon might fail
to make apparent the instant flushing of hot
blood to ler cheek! She felt it glow, like
wa,m crimson rose, even while she raised
her little head almost defantly, as though
to hurl challenge at his audacity.
Men had made love to her in many forms,
but always rs suppliants. This man dared
suppose her in equal danger with himself!
You deal il enigmas, Colonel Hitler"
she returned, haughtily. Il am accustomed
to plain speech.
Rather say that plain speech is to you an
unknown tongue, and that I ain the first
man who has dared to speak frankly.
Would you have me more open still? You
der the same roof with you, a week more of
exposure to your maddening destinations,
a, d my ship would 60 to wreck and ruin
on the BAR unless"-he leaned nea1er, his
voice grew softer, more full of tender feel
ing, and his hand fell on hers very lightly,
bnt with caressing unless, Gwen
doline, you would let it float your pennon
and guide it into the safe halbor of your
love-"
She had been wooed many times, in many
climes, and by many men, but naught had
ever moved her as this wooing, on this
moonligh hit night in June. Yet this man
had dared to tell her that in another week
this mig ht come to pass.
Others had sworn to go from her presence
to put an end to the existance she had
rendered miserable; or lad vowed that
henceforth woman's smile would be gall
and wermwood; or pleaded that she had
shorn their manhood of its strength, and
rendered their life burden.
This one done none of these things
While his strength was yet his he anc
met the danger.
"a week hence" she said to hers If, bit.
terly, and the flame might SINCE him.
Now his wings are all unscorched. He
does not say. I love youv He says, 'Ir
time I might love you
Was he thus to win SO easy victory
Not SO.
LET us 90 home," she interrupted, will
little SILVER. 1T is growing chill"
"Gwendoline Cassilis, is this my answer
Have you none other to give me?'
'Your answer" with an assumption O
surprise. Il was not aware Of any ques
ton"
''You shall not even have this excuse
Will you be my wife,"
His voice was stern now--stern to harsh
ness-and his grasp frightened on Ler hand
''You hurt me, Colonel Hitler" she com
planned petulantly, making On effort to with
draw her fingers.
Instantly he released her.
Il see that have hurt you" he returned
courteously, and took up the idle oars
Pardon me-" he continued, Il will no
offend again. 1t is time We were return
ing"
A few bold strokes, and the boats kee
grated on the shore. Ten minutes later
and the two re appeared in their hostess
tastefully appointed drawing room.
A group of men instantly gathered abo,1
Miss Cassilis. Never had her laugh run
out more clearly, her gay sal]ies of wit an
repartee been more sparkling; but ever
from time to time. her eye roved restlessl
to the open window, where, on the law
beyond, beneath the tall cedars, shone tn
red light from mans cigar.
1t was still there, still cleaning, whe
she had gone up to her own room. Sh
crossed to the window to pull down til
blind, but stood a minute, fascinated, me
tionless.
"After tonight he will forget me, 81
murmured sadly. "AndI-I shall remen
Der him for ever!'
burst upon her, she drew down the blind
10 throw herself, with quick, impetuor
motion, prone upon the couch, and wee
the first heart-tears she had ever she d.
The drama is ended-Miss Cassilis hs
refused him!" This was the general vel
ssaAdict when, twenty four hours later, Clauc
Hitler babe his hostess adieu, and will
drew to town on plea of sudden bushes
OF course the news reached Gwendoline
eur.
Il have not refused him, she said alou'
Not even that satisfaction is mine," 81
added to herself-''nor ever will be!
was only the might have been"
He was not the man. she knew full vel
to plunge desperately into Irritation, or a.
sociate his name at once with anoth
woman's or to retire later or rise earlier, {
in any way disturb the even tenor of h
way. The difference between the
was only this-his wound was healing, pc
haps already healed: but he would bear i
Ill., scar to the grave; hers was fostering So
~ which hurt the more that she had let Il
physicians who might work its cure pa
her by.
The summer waned to its close. Natu
had lent autumn it's wonderous paint-b
nj