Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1900-09-27

s 4 SIRENS VICTIMS ;
- BY Frances Warner Walker. <
y *
.QQQQQQQQQQQQ QQQQQQQQQQD
BY Frances Warner Walker.

bear no obstacle in the path which was
TO lead him on TO victory.
In his own soul he had decreed that
Grace Hawthorne should become his
wife, but this knowledge was locked
In his souls inmost recesses.
Let Helen help him on the first stage
of his journey. and he could attain the
goal without her further aid.
And, as for Grace. a worse fate might
await her han to become his wife. At
I ter all. with money in his possession.
he could turn out an honest man.
Your husband has never liked me,
Helen, he continued. "Latterly, 1 think
he begins to distrust me. You see how
necessary 1t is to win Grace to our
| side?"
Yes. I see," she answered. DULY,
passing her hand mechanically over
her brow. IT can't think, Harvey; my
brain is turning"
Don't try to think. Leave that part
of 1t to me. Come-let me take you
o back to your husband"
MY husband! oh, Harvey, the mock
cry that name may hold! My husband!
Ha, hal"
And she laughed shrilly-a laugh
which fell that instant on Harry Rey-
nolds ear, as he passed In front of her
retreat in search of her.
my husband" she again repeated.
And then lifted her eyes, to find him
of whom she spoke standing before her.
You called me, Helen?" he asked.
And his voice was stern and sad.
81 was about to ask Mr.. Barclay. to
help me to seek you," she replied. "He
is engaged for the next dance with
Grace, and the first strains of the waltz
/ already hear. Au revoir, Harvey!
We shall expect you tomorrow at the
house. Come. Harry-it is cool and
quiet here. Sit down-wi1 you not?-
in the place Mr.. Barclay leaves va
cant?"
They were idle words, but they Jared
on the listeners ear.
The place Mr.. Barclay left vacant!
Was that, indeed, the place he occu-
pied?
"Our dance, Miss Hawthorne,' said
Harvey Barclay, as he offered his arm
to Grace, who stood surrounded by a
little group, whose dissatisfaction at
having her taken from them was
plainly written on their faces.
Dancing was one of Harvey Bar
clay's versatile accomplishments, and
as he made with his partner the cir
cult of the ball room. many eyes rested
a%dmiringly upon the perfect grace
which characterized the movement OF
the waltz; but, unlike his wont. while
yet the enticing strains rang out. he
paused, and led Grace into the large
hall beyond.
II want a word with YOU" he said,
gently. "Do not fear that I am about
again 20 press my suit. Miss Haw-
thorne." he added, quickly, in answer
to an unconscious shadow which swept
over her face. ''Your decision was too
firm to leave me any room for hope;
but I r We feared, in my ardent desire
to win your love, I may have forfeited
what is the net highest gift you can
bestow upon me. / want to be your
friend. 1t may seem strange to you
young, beautiful, an heiress, and home
and protection yours-to look into the
future and see a moment possible when
I. a poor, penniless subaltern, could be
of service to you; yet I feel that mo-
ment will arrive-the moment when
your confidence in asking my aid, the
service of my strong arm or loyal heart,
will, in some measure, wipe u the
bitterness of the disappointment l have
already suffered in relinquishing the
dearest hope of my life. Miss Haw-
thorne, because I failed to win h prize
/ so madly coveted. will you forbid my
struggle to attain that, perhaps, with
in my reach?"
There was a frank humility In his
avowal and appeal which could not fail
to awaken the chord he struck.
Moreover, in her new dread as to
Harry. and her belief In his terrible
fault. she fancied she OWNED the hid
den meaning of his speech.
"You are more thar generous. Mr..
Barclay she answered. after a little
pause, land though / hope sunshine
rather than storm may prove your
words, I never can be so u%ngrateful as
to forget them"
"Then you will seal our compact?"
holding out his hand. 'Henceforth we
are ~frienos?"
She laid her own, in silent assent, a
moment within his grasp; but, as its
firm pressure closed upon 1t a sudden
SILVER passed over her spirit and
struck the chill of a terrible Fremont
ton within her soul.