The Red Cloud chief., 1899-12-01

upon his speech; his effort after self
restraint was evident.
why should | wish to liver I
asked. why? Tell me why"
John sighed and made no answer. I
went on passionately-
"If the wind blows upon me n little,
II the rain touches me, you are sorry.
You are not sorry that my heart 10
breaking. 1t is breaking all day long
always. And you-you do not care"
Kitty, | think you are mad when
you talk like this"
| pushed back my hair, which was
falling loosely about my forehead. and
looked at him with an odd little smile
"A heart-broken half-bitter smile.
II should be happier II | died." l
said. And ~you-could marry Madame
Arnaud, John"
Johns gray eyes flashed a quick.
startled. scrutinizing glance at my
face.
That Is one of the things, Kitty.
that | cannot allow even you to say"
he returned at last severely.
There was a long silence. II vas
John who was the first to break 1t.
He spoke slowly, and his one vas
heavy as he spoke.
You asked me the other day to let
you leave me-" he said. II refused. l
was wrong-and you were right. You
may go. Kitty. | will not try to keep
you with me-"
was silent. John turned away.
with a tired and heavy sigh.
I'VE will talk of 1t tomorrow" he
added. ITS too late-we are neither
OF us calm e%nough-to talk tonight.
But you shall go. / promise"
think / murmured a few incohercnt
words of thanks as | turned away. l
might go! The privilege seemed an
empty boon, indeed. had no feeling
OF citation. no feeling of contentment in
having won. Life stretched away
blankly before me, bereft of every joy,
every hope.
Even now / cannot recall the long
hours of that night with an aching pity
for hat old self OF mine who lay sleep
less, fearless the whole night through,
and heard the hours strike one by one,
and waited in n dull, hopeless, unex-
pectant way for the dawn to break.
The dawn came at last. The sun
rose slowly above the house tops-a
red orb In . copper-colored sky.
dressed YEARLY, and turned with q
heavy heart to go down stairs.
My hand was on the handle OF my
door when the door was opened from
outside. Meg came In. At the first
sight of her face l stepped forward
quickly and put my arm around her
Her face was deathly white-white
even to the lips. Her lips we're tremu-
lous, and yet they were trying In q
pathetic way to laugh at herself and at
meat herself for her emotion, and at
me for my solicitude.
II ought to faint, Kitty" she said.
looking at me with a queer. tremulous
little smile. 1T would be BETTING
and-and romantic. dear"
She pushed away the eau de Cologne
I had brought her. and gradually the
color came back into her cheeks.
You should have told me he was
here" she said. after a minute, half
lightly, half reproachfully.
Did you see some one, Meg? Were
you startled? "A friend Of Johns
came last night to stay. / didn't tell
you"
DO you know who he was?' she
asked.
mo. / don't know-John didn't tell
me. But he told me that he was com
ing. | wish you hadn't seen him, Meg.
He startled OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES you
didn't know that any n was staying
here. Would you mind, Meg. not say
ing to any one that you have seen
him."
Meg laughed harshly.
Il am no likely to mention 1t, Kit
ty," she said drily. ut Is not often,
dear, that l boast OF that early es-
capade Of mine. When I am an old
woman and very dull I may weave a
romance out OF those Ices and love
letters and Jam puffs; but l am no;
old enough just yet. / shan't talk o.
1t, dear; don't fear"
Meg, what do you mean? Who wal
it you saw? Not Arthur st. John?"
Ito be continued.)