The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1899-04-06

N -
SI evening air four
! ~ blasts upon whis-
tie. Bernard sprang to his feet with a
rapidly changing face. Madame valerie
also turned pale.
1T is your ivory whistle, certainly,
said she, have you lost it? are we
discovered?"
Bernard was lost in painful agita-
ton. II must CO." said he; at all
events | must see who has approached
the cliff before we open the secret
door. The whistle is, or was, in Lady
Violante's possession. 1t cannot be
there is danger before her so speedily
as this. Get me the dark lantern,
mother and will so out by the tun-
mel that leads to the cove, and il 1t
is she | will speak with her outside"
BE prudent, o, Bernard, be eau
tious! | was never afraid of your dis
erection before; but, alas! love has be-
trayed so many brave man, and per-
lied so many otherwise successful
causes, tremble now for ours"
Again the whistle sounded. Quick,
quick, mother, this is no time for par
leying. | will take my pistols to quiet
your apprehensions."
Frightened, trembling, with nerves
excited to the utmost, Lady Niolante
croUched on the ground beneath the
Topped withered laTch; her cold hands
clenching the ivory tube, and her eyes
wandering anxiously around the STIR
less shrubbery. Growing hopeless, as
she received no answer, she was turn
ing dejectedly away, when her quick
ear caught the sound of paddle-stroke
beneath, and in a moment more she
saw 1.-the, active figure cautiously
ascending the cliff. The slender, grace
full outline against the clear space of
sky behind treasured her fears, and
springing forward, wholly unconscious
of the rich tone of JOY that He'd her
voice, she exclaimed:
20, Bernard, is it you? Have you
answered my call at last?"
Then it is you, Lady violante, who
gave the signal. | could scarcely be-
lieve it possible; what can have oceurr-
ed in the brief time since | saw you?"
said Bernard, not daring to show the
delight he felt at seeing her again.
, Nothing so desperately alarming as
you may infer. l was to use the magic
whistle for my own safety, but VEN
tured to try it to warn you on your
own account"
Of vrh Of he,
: cot Count Emile: my father told
me tonight he was on your track, and
o, added to my own misery, the fears
for you quite unnerved me. If | had
gone home without seeing you. | think
| should have been crazed before morn
ipened since you left us hastily and
unllindly, without parting word"
\ ''You found my note in the book,
did you not? Lady Violarte, | have as
high a sense of honor as the noblest
in the land. | know my own weakness.
Loving you so passionately, dared
not linger to feed my hopeless affec-
ton upon your gentle words and ten
der deeds. Think you if could take
you openly to a position your worth
and rank demands, 1 would let forty
fathers or hundred lovers like Count
as your own pure heart had responded
to mine? but as it is, wretched, UNI
fortunate and lowly as | am, | must
bind down my frantic agony, and leawe
you to happier fate than it is in my
power to offer. My only hope lies in
your possible misfortunes. If the time
ever comes you are in need of wffat
protection / can give, 0, my peerless
beautiful Violante, come instantly to
the arms that will so joyfully uncTose
to you"
His head dropped despondently to
his breast and folding his arms gloom
lily he waited for her to speak.
Her breast heaved convulsiyely. and
the warm tears poured down her
cheeks. How she longed, that impul-
sive, loving girl. TO east herself at his
feet and cry, impetuously:
Take me now, O. Bernard, take me
nowl no matter how poor, how lowly
how dangerous your life, to share it
will be the happiest fate the world can
offer mer'
F., Instead. with sort OF icy ealmness,
she said, "Shali | tell you now all that
has occurred?"
Bernard heard the whole narrative
without word of comment. When
she had finished. he said coolly:
II do not fancy Count Emile has
made much progress in his search he
would be likely to exaggerate. How
ever. do not give yourself any uneas-
mess. | am going away in a few days
TO be absent some little time, and De-