Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1898-05-13
CMApTER WI.

CHAPTER VIII.
Guardian aud ward had IL long. delight
full ranhlc. They discussed books and
people and future plans. Stnndis!l was
unusually sympathetic, and not the small
est catspaw of difference ripplcd the
smooth surface of their confidential inter-
course.
Standish parted with Dorothy at The
Nnoll's cate. and she entered the house
with Il profound sense of depression
weighing .icr down. Tomorrow! How
lonely and empty tomorrow would he!
What months must come and so before
she should enjoy another uninterrupted
talk! But she was too silly and weak!
She must learn to he sufficient to herself!
In AN absent mood she went to her wv
room and laid aside her hat and mantle,
and herring from Collins that Mrs. Cal
lander was ont. she descended to the
drawing room determined to occupy her
mind by an hours diligcnt practice.
AS she approached the piano, which
stood near one of the windows lending
into the vcIanda. the sound of voices,
speaking low. met her ear.
Size thought she distinguished Eyer
toms. and paused to make sure, intending
to retreat if convinced that it was. Then
ooaAsS MINUS CstuSu ucT NttF WHICH Slt'illtu
to turn her TO stone and for II moment to
deprive her of volition.
You Know I love YOU" he was saying,
In low, deep tones. full of passion. But
how intensely. how wildly, your nature,
perhaps. forhids you to comprehend"
Then Malrl's voice murmured some
thing. and Egcrton replied: NO. Mabel,
! will not bc fooled! You have let me
rec that l am of Importance to you. You
have given me hope"
II fear yom. l do not think l lovc you,''
baid Mabel more distinctly, "and | cam
not, dare not cut myself off from every
one, everything that makes life worth liv-
ing. No. no. l cannot" her voice broke
off into sol,s. suppressed sOls.
"You will drive mt mad! Existence is
torture. The thought of your husband
makes NE capable of amy crime. to think
Of your belonging to another SETS my blood
on fire. You are miserable. too! He is
cold and Indifferent. Leave him! Listen.
Rather than suffer disappointment-rath-
er than see you his, l would crush out
your life. 'eiovei as you nre!" The tone
of his voice was deadly.
DOrOthy'S senses came back to her with
a wild thrill of horror. of rage against the
man who cared to insult and threaten her
sister. And Mabel listened to him-had
listened II" him! How strange it seemed
that she now felt what the formlcss shad-
ow was which had lain upon her.
What should she do? She must not
drive that fierce. bad man to desperation.
She must appeal to Mabel. and strengthen
her-snvc her. She stole softly away, aud
stood for Il moment by the stairhcad win
low.
The sound OF the outer gate closing
Loudly rursed her. and. starting to the
window. she saw Egcrton walk rapidly
away towards the town.
dorothy did not delay ii moment Run
min. down stairs. she tried to enter her
sisters vocin. The door was locked.
"l.rt me in. Mabel. l VAN you. l am
ili-oh. v"::y ill.,"
In another moment Mabel opened it.
DOROTHY closed and rc-lockei it, then
stood an instant, gazing at her sister.
whose eyes had II terrified. strained look.
He: face was deadly white.
Then. c~.asr:ng her closely. she eNclaim-
el. hrakcM!y. with hcaving breast. Nh
bel. w! IT are sou going 10 do? Could Won
let that devil draw you to destruction!
have heard him just liow-l wish l could
have s;vac.. him dead!'
StlnllMerp1i
~. a.. he: eyes growing vacant. as if too
ovc:si"nc TO understand anything.
Ill c.r in the drawing room. when you
were in the balcony"
"Iie SAID there was no one there
Sasled Mabel. and she trembiel so VIC.
len;ly that Dorothy hastily led her to q
chair lost she should fall.
II came in and heard enough. Mabel.
What AFRO vOn going TN lO2"
II wish I were dead. do not want
to y:cld-l-oh. Dorothy. can you bear
TO look Al: me-to touch me-"
II love you with all my heart and soml!'
cried Dorothy. knceling down and clasp
ing lc. waist, while she laid her head
against her bosom. land before that wilt
wretch succeeds in his sorcery. l would
kill him. You are not yourself, Mabel
you are under a spell. Throw it off: defy
him. What can he do? Would you for.
sake yowr own true h,:sbnnd for IL traitor
like us: Where are yoir senses! For
bid him ~ come ,:,sir you Let me ls
with so;: every mni:en: of the day. and
will exercise this unlioly spirit"
IL aim unfit to stay with my husband
my Children" so!,bei Mul.c!. II oighl
Nc. to have listened"
.You are .it-lu:tc fit: | tel! You so
You are got acting 10y y"ur own vii,
you are ,:;i.!cr the will of another"
II do lot van 10 80. On. dorothy,
l:clp me. Randall Eser!oa always inter
csted me. and l can scarcely lei! l.ow
came 10 Ike Inn. fear him aow.
wish | had never let him iErS:icriZe .Gr
But il ! refuse h:m. w:,a,-w..at viii l.,
do? anything for r-evengc-even so:ar
thing de>ir 30 !ierie.'."
NE. Mabel: he dare not. Never fc:
To do right. Tell h::n 4" leave on: liza
YOU have come 10 your senses. l vii! Civ,
him the letter."
II iave written :n him. yesterday. an,
he cane. YOU see. ali t:!e same. oh. yo'
do not know him.
"If you are true TO yourself. Mabel. 20,
can shake him Off" cried Dorothy. -:s:n,
and stamping her foot. How dare III
nrsccute you? How care lie practice h:
%y,;lI.;vy Nh yni2 Nritn :irn;u. Mabel.