The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1896-11-26

did not hit at all.
Now. look here" he said, going IL
step nearer; she was tandinG III tle
piano with her back To the HSht, 40
yCu think If | had come In as l ala
through no fault Of minc-and seen
that poor chap making love 10 you ana
hadn't asked you what it meant. out
had taken it for granted that II was
Your usual custom of an afternoon
that hat would have pleased YOU
1T would have been less eccentric
hat perhaps l ought 70 be gratelul ior
the interest you take in my aHalrS.
In speaking her voice broke, the
Sprig Of sweet hriCr which she heH
was trembling and he saw ii.
I'm awfully sorry, Helen be Sald,
gently. Il beg your pardon. | hau 10
right to bother you. but, upon my hon-
or. couldn't help it, ] was so ah%r%.
He stood in silence and watched her;
he was thinking how fair and stately
n wife she would be: he postponed Tor
one moment the words that slouid
bring her to his arms. During that
moment she recovered herself; with Il
sudden and yet unhurried movement
she seated herself on the window seat;
u table Of some dimensions now inter
vcred between herself and him.
we are making a very great noun
tain ont of nothing. Mr.. Jones, she
said. lightly: lin your agitation you
even forget my name. Would You
mind opening the door? The heat i'll
here is horrible. and a draugHt Will
blow away the scent of the flowers;
they are SC overpowering they make
II breathless."
lie did not open the door, nor did he
answer. She did not look at him. bU
she was conscious of his steady gaze.
She could bear anything just then rath-
err than silence.
we will go out" she went on, quick
ly; lit is cooler in the garden. | must
fetch my hat and order tea. We will
have tea under the trees"
she was passing him on her way to
escape through the door; how clever
was her ruse to get away! Her hand
was close 10 the handle when he
stepped forward and barred her prog
resS.
"Onc moment he said. Il want to
speak 10 YOU"
Not now there was n wild petition
in her voice which startled him; wait
-preseutly-not now"
ITS all right, darling. l don't want
TO brighten you. but the truth is, !
can't get through an hour without you.
When | am rot with you. | think OF
YOU l dream Of you every night. l
want you to marry me-, Helen"
He paused. She was COMPOUNDED ut
this honor which he had thrust upon
her; the Iashes concealed her eyes; she
did not move o answer.
when will you marry me:'
Never
Mr.. Jones smile failed. Look here.
Helen. I nm in deadly seriousness. |
tell you that l am most awfully fond
of you. | can't put it strong enough.
l love you with all my soul. l swear l
do. VIII YOU marry me-
no" in a low, firm voice; Il will not
marry YOU"
You don't mean that?"
Il do"
THAT is your answer"
Yes
You have nothing more to say to
me?'-
"Nothf ~
He was stunned. 1t was not her
words alone. but her hard, set face
that c~onfounded him.
lis there some one else, Helen:"
NO"
"YOu are not" unstcadily. lin love
with some other fellow"
NO"
He caught her by the wrist. pulled
her into the full light Of the open win
dow and stared into her white face.
Il could have sworn you liked me-"
he said. las no doubt that other chap.
who was here this afternoon. could
have done. l suppose this sort of thing
divcrts you; it's n variety entertain
ment--One poor devil after another
dancing TO your pipe. I'm afraid |
don't understand women: for. on my
life. l don't know what kind Of gratiti-
cation they get out Of this form Of
amusement. I never guessed you were
making a fool Of me, Helen. / would
not have believed it., l swear | would
not. unless I'd heard it myself and
seen the parsons face just now"
Her face did not express much
amusement, certainly, but she tried to
back away from him into the shadow
of the curtains, and he let her go. with
an impatient sigh. At this i%uncture.
fer the third time, the rate bell tinklcd
it's warning Of an arrival, and Miss
Elizabeth Milford crossed the grass
plot. She caught sight Of the young
mans face ut the drawing room win
dow, and Immediately approached
him.
How do You do, Mr.. Jones? | knew you
were here: your cart is outside. How
is dear HelcnT'
"Shc is here to answer for herself
Il am quite well, auntic."
Il left her lying down. Mr.. Jones. I
told her TO rest; she was tired out, ard
it is such a hot day. Really" pecring
ut her. "slle. looks terribly pale. Come
out into the air, love; come out. both
of yol. and we will have ten under the
tulip tree. | will tell Betsey 10 bring
1t at once" And she hustled of.