The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1899-03-23

/ weird spell az the cliff, when l saw
dark figure rise up from the ground,
seize the note left there, and disap-
| pear as silently and strangely as 1t
arose; but | have performed your mis-
sion-Sir Knight of the rueful face and
Magic Whistle"
Her smile was forced and unnatural,
and it found no echo.
He only turned his keen eyes more
searchingly upon her face and said
You scarcely look as If Count Ger
mains proposal had added to your hap
/ p!ness. Am | to congratulate the fan
Gee of his lordship?"
Her lip qulvered, and she turned
away her face to hide the gush of tears
that rose TO her eyes, while she an
swered dejcctedly.
1T is vain for NE TO seek to baf-
fie your penetration. How is it pos
sible that you should have known of
Captain Germans movements?'
1T is a very natural conclusion !
draw. Lady Y!olante, especially since
upon the day Of the accident, was well
aware the old Count was TO make the
formal proposal for your hand. The
postponement was doubtless owing TO
at the castle"
"The day of the accident" repeated
Violante, her dark eyes widening with
surprise. Did you know me then?"
He smiled mournfully.
Did l know you? ah, you had not
rode, or walked, for months before
that but my eye followed you lovingly
and admiringly; not a movement you
made escaped my vigilance"
And why?" asked she in startled
tone.
Because 1 loved you, because wor-
SHIPPED the ground upon which you
trod because you were the star, that
high as the heaven above me, yet
frightened and cheered my gloomy
night. You have the answer now, Lady
Violante."
The color centered in a burning glow
on her cheek-the long dark eye-lash
dropped lower than when the tear
weighed down the silky fringe, but she
made no reply.
do not accuse me of presumption"
said he, with proud humility-"since
you have extorted from me the secret
meant to hide always in my own heart.
Forget that you knew it, and tell me
If Count German is to win, with all the
rest, the one peerless woman the wide
world holds, as the angel of my hope"
Her clasping hands concealed her
face, and with the trucking tears her
words came brokenly-
Il cannot tell; I only know I am
unhappy, wretched-aroused from my
tranquil life of calm enjoyment to a
knowledge of the care and grief the
world offers to all alike. My father
never spoke an unkind word to me be-
fore; but yesterday he was stern, sar-
castle, pitiless-all because said l did
not love the Count
''You do not love the Count" ex-
claimed Bernard joyfully. Kind prov
idence, beneficent fate-how | have
wronged you. this is joy enough for
me. Lady Violante, I am not mad
enough TO ask the blessed dover of
your love for myself, but oh, shall go
away content to take up mine own per-
ilous, darksome life, knowing that you
will not give it to him, my rival and
my enemy, in other lots than that of
love-"
She drew away the white fingers and
looked over to him with bewildered,
fearful eyes.
Il cannot understand you, Bernard.
o. that you would speak openly and
plainly"
She had never called him by his
name before. 1t thrilled softly, like
delightful music to the ears.
If l could, do you doubt that
should do so? Is it not proof of that
MEMORABLE fate that binds my tongue,
that I make no effort to propitiate your
favor, to win the affection that would
be more TO me than honor, fame,
wealth, the whole world? Oh, Lady
Violante, you do not know, you cannot
dream how have loved you, and how
have suffered through itw
But" said she proudly, where is
Valerie?"
Valerie" repeated he, turning his
face away that she might not see the
one exulting smile leaping into it, as
he caught her offended, jealous look of
pride. Valerie is my mother!"
Guileless Lady Violante, despite her
pride and reserve, she could not hide
the glad light that changed the tear
into sparkling diamond, and dimpled
the treacherous lips into happy smile.
Your mother" repeated she, and
then paused in confusion.
How his swift clear glance devoured
the downcast face; yet he said calm
ly-
mAna ,-n,, de raA L. L. c..