Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1892-01-20
s:s;7
XNMS2 H Story efWe1tesQ Life
$sn- ThoNsP MoNTFeRT.
(ss,-ss, Ha g aNSsssss NO
CHAPTER XXIIL-CoNrrSuRp.

>ef1~ST w y sSNrsteS9 wv
CHAPTER XXIIL-CoNrISURp.
''Thcn good-by, Louise" and rs Paul
spoke he advanced and reached out his
hand.
Louise could almost feel his pres
cnce. and she longed TO throw herself
in his arms and cry her heart ont. But
she restrained herself, and never so
much as looked up.
Wont you tell me good-by.
Louise?" Paul asked.
''Good-by," she murmured.
He said nothing more, but after look
ing ut her a long time he tore his eyes
from her and STROBE rapidly away. She
heard him pass through the gate, and
moment later heard his horse clat-
ter away across the prairie. Then she
lifted her head from her hand. and
with longing eyes looked after his re-
treating form until it faded out in the
distance, and when she saw him no
longer she placed her hand on her
heart and moaned in the deepest an
guish.
Tint meeting had been sore trial
for the poor girl. but she steeled her
heart against itself, and with the great
est effort withstood its pleadings She
felt more than once that if the inter
view was prolonged she must break
down and give way to her love. But
she had come through it safely and the
worst was passed
All day she watched and waited for
Pearson's visit, but night came on and
Pearson failed to appear. Was it pos
siblc, she wondered. that he had
changed his mind, and that after all
she would escape him? But Pearson
had not changed his mind. He remained
away for another and a more urgent
reason.
As Paul galloped back in the direo-
ton of Magic City he met Pearson on his
way to Green's Pearson recognized
Paul and stopped to speak to him. He
rightly guessed where Paul had been.
and he knew full well from his looks
what had been the result of his visit,
and his nature was such that he could
not resist the temptation of slightly
exulting over his vanquished rival
Paul would have passed on, but Pear
son prevented him.
Il did not know you had returned,
Mir. Markham" Pearson began, land i
suppose you have been back but n
short time"
II returned last night" Paul replied.
Only last night? You have been out
to Your fathers, / suppose, to-day"
Il don't know that it is anything par
ticularly TO you where 1 have been"
Paul answered little angrily, for he
was in no mood to have his affairs
meddled with. and especially by one
who was little more than a stranger.
''Oh, of course not" said Pearson
with light laugh. Though l think
could guess where you have been were
TO try. How are the Greens coming
on?"
The tone in which this question was
asked together with the leering manner
of the speaker implied direct insult,
and Paul took it as such. He had.
moreover. had an intimation of Pear
sons visits to Green's, and he now as
ISOLATED him in some way with Louise's
conduct and felt inclined TO hold him
responsible for it. He was sensitive.
and it required but little to raise his
temper, and it was not strange under
the circumstances that Pearson's words
stung him, and that he should reply
sharply.
said he, land you are anxious to know
how they are coming on, suppose you
have the privilege of going there to find
out for yourself"
Thanks" replied Pearson, II shall
do as you suggest, and hope. in fact 1
think ray reception there will be differ
ent from yours"
The next instant Paul had lost all
self-control, and with all his strength
put into his arm he gave Pearson such a
stroke with his fist that it sent him roll
ing 20 the ground limp and apparently
lifeless. u
Paul did not wait TO see what had
been the extent OK the damage of his
stroke, but galloped on, leaving Pear
son 20 the care of couple of men who
AT that moment drove up in a wagon.
as he dead?" asked one of the men
as the other bent over the listless BODY.
Il think not" said the other. but he
got a terrible lick, sure, and it will take