The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1894-04-26
PART I-CHAPTER V.
Round IN HONOR.

Sured her both men had left the mouse.
She ran lightly down the steps and
crossed the parlor.
Camp habit supreme, Dale Everett sat
bolt upright, with his dream still in
induction, ere he opened his eyes,
"Dale!'
"Bennie" He had sprung from the
sofa and taken both her hands, and was
gazing intently on the downcast lids.
She raised them slowly, looking at him
earnestly, but without blush upon her
pale face.
'%Dale, have they told you?"
"Who? Told WHAT"
Twenty-four is apt to be abrupt,
rather than logical. And as she did not
answer he hurried on:
"But l have something to tell you,
Bonnie, and it must be told now. How
have refrained so long cannot under
lerstand. 1t is always with me; was
dreaming of it now" He glanced quick
" round, fearful that they might be in
corrupted, more fearful that his courage
would desert him if he did not finish
hen. "Bennie, ever since we We're chill
lren you must have seen-in all these
late years you must have felt-what you
are to mel
The girl turned her face aside and half
raised her hands to stay him, but the
strong clasp of his own upon them held
her still, and the eager light of his eyes
burned down on her dropped lids as he
went on, never pausing:
you must hear me out! Only Adrlen
knows my secret now. God knows 1t is
the only one ever kept long from my
tent mate. But if do not speak now it
NAV be too late. Bonnie, dear, l am no
longer a boy. Today am free to act
for myself free to tell you'll love your
With quick gesture she freed hel
hands, turning farther away from him.
A little shiver passed through her, but
the man needed nothing but his OWL
J.. eager pleading.
"Since boyhood l have loved you, my
darling! You have grown into my heart
have become part of my being. Low
for you has been my stay and my hope
! All my study, all my ambition has beel
to make me free-and worthy-to say
a as do now from my very soul, low
) you"
g Again the shiver ran through the girl
blood; again the man, wrapped in tn
e glow of his own passion, needed it not.
"Only my God and Adrien kne'
II this. Now that you know it, will 20
Z speak to me!"
g For the first time she raised her fac
Is to his; a suffering, hunted look in tt
p blue eyes. Then, with a dull sob 81
dropped into chair and the shudd
er shook her in its strong grasp. Bendir
over her, Dale Everett, his face full
er tenderness, his voice husky with 81
IN pense, whispered:
IN "Bennie, what does this mean? "
n do notch, darlingl you do not despi
IN me?
r. The girl slowly raised to his face f
different from the bright one he low
IA so well. Intense feeling trembled on t
ne lips the eyes brimmed with tears a
he the voice faltered that began:
ar "Dale, we are old, old friends"-
Ter Mistaking either the emotion or
words, the young soldier hesitated c
ISL second; the next his strong arms h
lily her close and his lips pressed her 70
ng head.
my darling! My own Bonnie at IL
EFT This pays for all-for doubleday"
ct. "Let me go, Dale!" she sobbed, str
Ill. Cling. "You must not! You have
OF right
to He recoiled as if struck heavily.
Ad, stood still and trembling, with downC
ter eyes.
"Was l Mistaken he asked huski
I'M She only bowed her head lower still
IL "Speak," he said, more calmly.
OF not be afraid to say what am not afl
to hear" But the voice belied the br
an words it framed, and he clinched
her hands hard while Bonnie twice essa
us to speak. Then she said almost ina
bly,:
~ 81 am to be married."
i"s' "Marriedr Only one word in
,ov+ cry.
ioAU She covered her face with lot
iva hands, and turned away with the
Dad sob:
~ ~ To-day"
y w For some moments Dale Everett s
'i." dazed Gradually over his face {
a.;i, the awakening to her true meaning
''-'' deep, gasping breath rent his C
~, Then he passed his hand over his
: but when he spoke it was almos
y natural voice that asked:
/ sos, loua tba ,nno'
"No." Bonnie obeyed the strong
| like little child
"Who is he?"
! Mr.. Mason, papa's friend"
"And you know that he is buying
y as he would horse, or dog?"
"A The woman's voice was scarce
VA BILE, but her head sunk lower still.
IA "What natter"
Va The mans face did not change.
N was no trelnor, but infinite contem
VA his next words:
INA "No; you have no heart"
II Then for the first time Bonnie
E her bowed head. Whether the
n touched or the tone stung her she
self hardly knew, but she looked il
- Everetts face with glance as fl
r his own, while infinitely gentle.
Dale" she said softly, "you vii
nor" get this disappointment; time will
firm it for you but for me there is nc
o one no cure! Your words hurt me NOR
You dream. Please unsay them
we part for-for the sake of the ole
strobe Oh, Dale, if you knew all you
cigar, not hate--you would pity me!'
N step He was still relentless. you h
anger paa1 for pity. Won have no hes