Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1896-09-25

"Hes.1-I remember now how = cap
pened. said Violet, in weak voicx,
FORGIVE mc--pray, forgive mc.' plesa-
ed Don. flushing crimson, and tingling in
every pulse with shame and anger against
himself. "snce thought lad-lost you.
Forget my folly. and forgive!"
"Therc is nothing to forgive, dear
fricnd-notling' said Violet, in her sweet
low voice. and she put out her little hand
to him. Don olaspod it in his own and
held it fast.
II ought no: TO have spoken" said Don,
contrltely, as lie aided Miss MOwbray to
rise; but can ii he. dear Violet, that you
are unhurt: You have been riding.
Where ase your friends? How could they
leave you here: and by what strange
coincidence could it be my fortune to find
you here in this solitary spot? But you
are safe. Oh! tell me again. Miss Violet,
that you are ulharmed: and lean on me,
for You are weak and trembling, Us
sce"
Poor Violet had little to tell. She had
been thrown. and had been senseless. aud
mad lain on tlE turf beside the road in 1:
swoon. until-until Don found her. As
for the horse. it had vanished. And that
was all. She said no more, but there was
reticrnce in her manner. shy looking
earthwnrd of those beautiful great eyes
of hers. and an avoidance of Don's gaze.
which forced upon the young man the
conviction tina: the girl had Il perfect
memory of how he had clasped her in his
arms and kissed her. believing her, ae lie
did. to be dead. And then some chival-
rous instinct in his heart awakened. and
nc felt that h. must tell his tale and
plead his cause under all disadvantages
of worldly position. Because he had
gone so far, he was as il We're. bound TO
go further.
II ought not TO have spoken" said Don.
half penitently but half proudly. too; ~
know that ought not. For the sake of
much kindness from kind MIR. Langton
and his wife, it would have been treacher-
Gus in me. as well as prcsumptuous, to
breathe a wore: of love to the young lady
who dwelt beneath his roof. l have put
paddock on lay lips hitherto, and have
scliooled my very eyes not to bctray me.
But this has been too much for my resolve
and my reserve My secret, kept for
months and years. has been wrung from
me at last. The excitement of that mis-
clrlble moment scattered all my prudence,
all my wise determination, to the winds.
II is true. Nioie,-i may call you by that
dear name:--tiat thought YOU dead, and
,la, with the loss of you all the joy and
brightness of my own life We're gone
gone forever! SO the passionate cry
broke from my heart, and so l dared to
kiss Your cheek. and to clasp you to my
breast, and to tell you how lovc,l-but l
was all unaware that your ears. dearest.
could drink in my wild words. must, as
] am an honest man. repeat them now.
Yes. i. the poor jet hunter. the nameless.
kinlesS founding of the sca-beacll, have
dared To love The highly connected Miss
Mowbray, and at last to tell her so. Now,
if you choose to Danish me for my pre-
sumption. car but bow my head and
go.
She seemed stronger by this time, and
had let go her hold on his arm, and he
stood Il little way off. looking intcntly in
her face with his dark. eager eyes.
"iou have not-llavc not offended me,
Mr. Don-indeed.'' she said.
He sprang forward hope. wonder, love
flashing from his bright eyes. and again
liz took her hand.
"Niolct-Aliss Mowbray," said Don,
quickly. ''can it be that i have heard
Alright: Can ii he that you do not chide
mc for the presumption. the"
"'l'here was no presumption" almost
whispered Violet. "You saved my life.
hui before that day the recollection of
YOU. the image of you, as the trucst gen.
tlcman. the best and bravest / had ever
known. had grown to be-I may own it
now-vcry deal to me-
And then Don took her in his arms and
kissed her. and for few delicious mo-
ments the two young things felt as su-
prmcly happy as if they had suddenly
been spirited away into some enchanted
island. where Love reigned supreme.
lTo be continued.)