The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1900-11-09

nave nearQ no such thing. how Is 1t
we have not been told-we, who have
the best right to know; we, who have
longed and looked for the truth to be
found out all this weary year? No, l
cannot believe it; l fear to hope!
Look, | am quite overcome at the
thought! Tell me all you know"
She wa overcome. She had worked
herself up as she proceeded, yet the
girl at her side felt that the reason she
gave was not the true one, and again
1t occurred to her that madame knew
more than she had ever told; yet she
might be misjudging her. Perhaps she
had cared for Mr.. Barlowe with some
thing of the fierce tenderness she
showed for Henri!
But she had little time to think.
Madame ascertained all Reggie knew,
and chatted a few minutes with self
possession; but directly she had
turned the horses heads and they were
leaving Reverton behind, her face
grew black as a thunder-cloud. her lips
We're pressed together in a thin line,
and her eyes. burning with a somber
fire, glanced over the horses heads un-
seeingly al she urged them or.
Never did Mollie forget that drive!
How much faster did she mean to go?
she thought, in real terror. She was a
brave girl, with nerves we'll under con-
troll; but 1t was mad-mad to tear
along like this. She was absolutely
obliged to hold on tight as they swayed
from side to side; while, as they
shaved past a heavy wagon and swept
round a corner, she saw that the groom
at the back was standing up in his
seat watching the road anxiously, his
face chalky and white.
She tried to demonstrate once or
twice, so did the man: but madame
only answered impatiently, and, ii
possible, went faster, and it seemed a
Providence indeed that the roads were
quiet that afternoon. Many times
Mollie glanced up at the set face beside
her, lighted by a fierce look Of exulta-
ton. as trees and hedges vanished
from sight almost before seen, and the
wind blew cold on their faces. Was
she trying to drive away from her own
thoughts, flying where no man pur-
sued?
Mollie could scarcely believe her own
good fortune when she once more
alighted at the hall door Of Chalfont,
safe and sound. Kate came running to
meet them, and as madame caught
sight of her 1t evidently recalled some-
thing to her mind, for she paused and
turned to Mollie with a frown.
you seemed to be talking very
earnestly with that young Anstruth-
err" she said abruptly. What was it
about?"
Nothing that would interest you,
madanne,' she answered politely.
II am your guardian, and insist upon
knowing" Then, as MoIlie's frank
face was turned upon her, madame
either remembered the old proverb
about taking a horse to the water, but
falling to make him drink; or that the
L'Estrange were a family Of soldiers,
and that the fighting spirit was fash
ing resentfully from those gray ewes
now, for she added hastily: II know
the world; you do not; and forbid
you to give flowers to gentlemen. Yes,
Kate, my precious one. you should give
your violets to .auntie, not to your half
sister. who did not value them" And
she swept away. in quest Of her son.
They were hers. to do as she
pleased with" the child called after
her sulkily, as she hung round Mollie,
and made grimaces after her retreat
ing relative. You see, Mollie, you
ought to have given them to Henri,
who. is SO good, so adorable, SO
sweet"
Hush! hush. Kate!" said the elder
girl quickly. Angry as she was she
would not encourage the child against
her aunt. and she walked to the door
and stood looking out into the SUM-
shine with misty yes. Love thine
enemies. she thought. Overcome
evil with good. Oh, II was really too
hard: she could not try.
The groom's voice speaking to the
gardener. who was bedding out the
tulips In the borders, here came waited
towards her.
Tomorrow gives notice. Yes, /
lose my place. sure enough: but IL II
sticks Il, who would look to the missus
and kids when 1 lose my life? Sec
them 'orses all lathered upf Several
times I Thought we were dome We