The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1898-10-20
CHAPTER XVI-(CoNTrSuEpJ


ed time when she neared the trysting
place, and she was beginning to Won
der whether or not Monsieur Caussi-
diere had grown weary and had gone
away. when, to her relief, he emerged
rom some nook where he had been hid
ing and stood before her. Yes, it was
he. looking anxious and restless, but
Frightening up considerably at sight of
her face.
Marjorie, my Marjorie!" he :nur-
INJURED.
Monsieur-Monsieur Caussldiere"
she cried.
The Frenchman looked at her
strangely; he took her hand, and held
it lovingly in both of his.
Marjorie" he said, my little friend!
It seems now that l have you by me,
that am born again. | have Travelled
all the way from Dumfries to see you;
and you do not know why?-because,
my child, you have taught me to love
you
Marjorie paused in her walk; she felt
her heart trembling painfully and her
cheeks burning like fire. She looked up
at him in helpless amazement, but she
did not speak.
"When you departed, Marjorie" con-
tinued Caussidiere. affectionately clasp
ing the little hand which still lay pas
siyely in his. II felt as if all the light
and sunshine had been withdrawn from
the world. and | knew then that the
face of my little friend had left such
an image on my heart that | could not
shake it away. tried to fight against
the feeling, but could not. You have
made me love you. ms darling, and
now I have come to ask IL you will be
my wife?"
your wife, monsieur!
She looked so helplessly perplexed
that the Frenchman smiled.
We'll, Marjorie" he said, "of what
are you thinking, ma petite"
II was wondering, monsieur, why
you had spoken to me as you have
done"
For moment the mans face cloud
ed; then the shadow passed and he
smiled again.
Because | adore you, Marjorie" lie
said.
Again the girl was silent, and the
Frenchman pulled his mustache with
trembling fingers. Presently he stole
glance at her. and he saw that her face
was irradiated with look of dreamy
pleasure. He paused before her and
regained possession of her trembling
hands.
Marjorie" he said, and as he spoke
his voice grew very tender and vibrat-
ed through every nerve in the girls
frame, my little Marjorie, If you had
been left to me. / don't think | should
ever have spoken. but when you went
away felt as If the last chance OF hap
piness had been taken from me. So
said, L will go to my little girl, l will
tell her of my loneliness, | will say to
her 1 have. given her my love, and /
will ask for hers in return Marjorie,
will you give it to me, my dear?"
She raised her eyes to his and an
swered softly:
Il
~'And you will marry me, Marjorie?"
CT don't know that"
"Marjorie?"
II mean, monsieur, / will tell Mr..
Lorraine"
You will not,-you must mott"
Monsieur"
Marjorie, do you not see what
mean? They are all against me, every
one of them, and il they knew they
would take my little gin away. Mar
iorle, listen to me. You say you love
me--and you do love mel am sure OF
that; therefore / wish you to promise
to marry me and say nothing to any
soul"
ITO marry you in secret? Oh. could
not do that, monsieur"
Then you do not lsve me, Mario
rie?"
Indeed, 1t is not true. And Mr. Lor-
raine is like my father, and he loves me
so much. | would not do anything to
yex or hurt him, monsieur"
For a moment the Freachman's face
was clouded. and he cast most omi-
nous look upon the girl; then all in a
moment again the sunshine burst
forth.
You have kind heart, Marjorie"
he said. 1T is like my little girl to talk
so; but she is sensible. and will listen
TO me. Marjorie. don't think | want
TO harm you, or lead you to do wrong.
l love you, far too well, little one, and
NY only thought is how can keep and
cherish you all my life"
He walked with her to within a quar-
ter of mile OF the clergymans gate,