Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1899-04-27

unbound, fell in its rnddy waves TO the
floor, while her maid drew through Il
an ivory brush, monogrammed and
crested, as, in fact, was every article
strewn upon the table before her.
A subtle perfume filled the air. The
hangings OF the room were of palesi
rose. satin: the carpet. a white ground
with moss-roses trailing in luxuriance
over it. Ones foot almost shrank from
contact with the thorns, which yet
Were softest velvet.
1t was a room into which a princess
might have stepped, and felt at home;
but as we scan more closely the ex-
auisite face reflected in the mirror. we
recognize the girl who, one year be
fore, in the old English parsonage gar
den. made her decision and her choice.
The form has rounded into more per,
feet lines; the complexion is more daz-
zIingly-radiant. inasmuch as the fault
lessly-ovai cheek has lost a tinge of its
ripe color: the lips burn with more
ruddy scarlet: h%er.eyes blaze with new
and imperious fire; her beauty has de-
yeloped into ripper perfection: the gem
whose brilliancy could not be. hid in
its simple setting, now fairly dazzled
by it's luminanee. And yet. with all
gained, something has fled. something
been lost, for which, perchance, all
else is not worth the gain.
'Monsieur-has he returned. Marie?'
she asked at last, breaking the silence
which had lasted long.
NO, madame replied the girl; and
one might detect a tone of pity in her
voice.
Pity. AS if that young and beauti-
full woman could have need of pity
from n paid TO do her service!
"And the hour?" she questioned, too
l~istless TO raise her W eyes to the
tiny, enameled clock upon the mantle.
Just twelve, madame. Doubtless
monsieur will return to breakfast.
Shall | not arrange madame's hair,
that she may be ready when he re-
turns?'
Yes: and as simply as possible, my
good Marie
1T is so beautiful 1t never can look
simple madame" replied the girl, as
size twisted it with deft fingers, into
an artistic coil, through which she
stuck a golden dagger. "All Paris
raves over madame's hair; but no one
in Paris can initiate it,
"AH Paris,'' echoed her mistress, and
sighed.
But at that instant a mans step
sounded in the outer room. With "A
quick breath Of relief. and an instant
lifting of the cloud which had settleo
on her brow. she sprang from her
chair and stood waiting, a lovely Wis
ion to greet the eyes of any man. with
that smile of expectancy on lips and
eyes. and that long, flowing robe of
white cashmere tied carelessly at the
throat with creamy ribbon, and falling
in graceful curves about the slender,
undulating form.
Noiselessly and swiftly Marie held
open the door for the master to pass in
then herself passed out-leaying the
two alone.
With n low cry of joy the girl-wife
took u little step forward.
Louis" she murmured. "At last,
Oh. where have You been?'
The mans face darkened. He care
lessly approached and held out his
hand in greeting. but his wife already
clasped hers about his neck and hid
her tace upon his breast.
Questions again. F~lorenceg" he said.
Have l not already convinced you of
their uselessness? am not a child in
leading-strings, and you must forget
your English n~otions.'
but all night. Louis, / lay awake.
looking for you, and wondering what
terrible thing had happened. Why
should you subject me to this cruel
torture! And when, at last, I fell
asleep this morning, | dreamed a
strange dream. 1t was of home. Lou
is. | saw the dear old home. the dear
old garden. and Dorothy and the dear
father: but he was so changed l
scarcely knew him. He was thin and
pale, and looked very i'll. / am sure
my dream meant something. oh. if /
could but see him again. and gam his
forgiveness for my fault.'
so you consider it a faalt?" replied
the man. PITY. then You ever com
mitted it. But. look here. Florence. L
will have no more of this nonsense.
When am not at home, you go to bed
and go to sleep. Haven't you every
thing you want-everything that mon
ey can buy you: What more does a
an, in the height of her unreason-
ableness, demand!'
Il want your love. Louis. Give me
that. n You may take all the rest
My lover he sneered. And a years
devotion has not tired you? Really.
ma belle, you are more exigeante than
| had deemed possible. A years reign
should be sufficient for any pretty wo
man. A month-a week-sufiices most
of them"
But. Louis, you did not talk thus in
the old garden. What did you tell me?
That your life hung on my words. If L
had refused your prayer you would
have killed yourself
The mar laughed-a harsh, discord-
ant laugh. wholly different from the
low. musical melody which once had
fallen so softly on her listening ear.
And you believed that, ma cherie,
Really believed that / would put a bull
let through my brain? No. no, Be
lieve me, | had no such intention. But
ii was necessary to Brighten you into
acquiescence, and so l could not pause
Mt words. Be careful. Florence. that
YOU do not make me repent the bonds
which ] permitted you to draw me in
to-"