Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1897-09-03

The hours wancd, the sunset faded; the
faint, chill wind came up from the sea,
and swayed the leaves beyond my case
ment, and famed my face as l leant
there, longing for the dusk of nightfall as
never lover longed for his beloved.
l went into the quiet night, humble and
weak, hut glad Mt heart as never yet had
l been glad through many weary years of
life.
She fell down on her knees beside me
when she came. i drew her to my heart.
l murmured every word of love and COM
fort l could think of.
Suddenly she moved and stirred. Her
eyes opened. / bent down and met their
gnzc.
us it You. Ralph?' she said dreamily.
then sat up and leaned her head against
my shoulder. II nave been asleep Il long,
long time" she said, but l have had Il
beautiful dream. l think you are sorry
for me. Will you try aud love me Il little
again: You did once, l know"
j saw the tears gather in her eyes, i
heard her voice culver and break in its
soft appeal. My arms closed round her
With all the garncred passion and re-
morse of their starved and empty past.
Love you!!" l cried. "Oh. my darling
my darling, there are no words to tel
how | love you! When l think of how l
have m%isjudged You. wronsed You, tried
you. l hate myself for the folly and sus-
picion that have cost lis both so much. 1
Il wonder You do not hate me. tool"
"Ilate you" she cried. "You-"
Then her head nestled back on my Shout
der: she tremblcd like a leaf. Ill for
got" she whispered. ''IIave you read
it:"
Every word" l said.
"And was i very wicked:'
1 could have laughed aloud in my tri-
umph and my joy.
Very" l said, "for not telling me at
once what was in your heart. l thought
it was Yorkc."
Suddenly she drew herself away, and
hid her face in her hands.
OH She moaned, II remember w
| remember now. 1t has all come back.
He waS-he was murdercd.!"
"Murdered!!' l cried aghast. NO. no.
Joan. don't say that. 1t was an accident
TEL me all!' she cried wildly. II can
never know a happy till that mys-
terry is cleared UP. You followed me, did
You not:'
"Yes." / said. but 1 think l missed
the way when l heard the shot that guild
ed me back"
when You heard the shot," she cried,
raising her CHASTITY face to mine. You
We're not there at the time?'
"Certainly not" answered.
"Oh, thank God!" she cried: "thank
God!!" and threw her arms round me with
a burst of hysterical weeping.
For long l could not soothc her; for
long | could gather nothing from her in
coherent words; but at last the truth
dawncd upon me. She feared that l had
taken vengeance into my own hands
that the long fcud between Yorke and my
self had eliminated in this act of revenge
for the dishonor he had sought TO cast
upon my life.
This shock it was that had acted so ter
rlbly upon her feeble strength. and for a
time overthrown it's mental balance. And
now. for the first time. she learned the
truth. and. learning it, WAS like one mad
with joy and relief.
The %revulsion of feeling was so strong.
it almost frightened me.
"Oh.' she cried amidst wild sobs, "yo,,
have been 20 good-so good-so good!
You must never leave me again. Indeed
indeed l will try to be all you wish.
will never hold a thought back from you1
knowledge. Only trust me- again-talsc
me back to your heart-for, oh, my hus-
band. 1 love you so! All these years 1
have loved YOU. and you would not believe
it. though l tried TO show it you. There
is nothing l would not do for you to make
you happy or give you peace. 1 would die
for you this moment if"
No." i interrupted. "for that would
be foolish. Joan. You shall do better
you shall live for me-"
"From this very hour" she said solemn
~.
bent and kissed the quivering lips.