The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1900-07-27

W0AAS0 WASu ulS QUICK military step IN
the direction Sabina had taken when
she left them together Even Sabina
had been unable any longer to restrain
her fathers indignation from finding a
vent in direct remonstance with the
Baronet's f1ancee. and the girl awaited
the old soldier anxiously. wondering
what Lilac could have said in her own
defense.
Poor Lilac remained where the Major
had left her. feeling faint and dizzy.
The totally unexpected accusation had
stunned her almost as IL it had been a
physical blow. and she stood for some
minutes unable to think clearly. She
had felt that the major had objected to
her friendship with Mark Mowbray,
and had serious misgivings as to wheth-
er she ought not to respect his wishes;
but the thought that his objections
were due only to the most absurd Of
prejudices made her wait for him to ex-
press his wishes before she acted upon
them. The idea that she appeared dis
loyal to Roy had never once occurred
to her. It was true that she had in
formed Mowbray of her engagement to
Roy; but the majors condemning words
came back to her, and she had to adj
nit to herself that. in her eagerness
to prevent the news Of her engagement
from being made public. she had pos
sibly given the novelist the idea that
she did not consider 1t binding. The
thought had never occurred to her be-
fore. and. now that she realized what
she had done, 1t overwhelmed her.
A sense of shame filled her. She
felt that in act, though not in inten-
ton, she had done something to de-
serve Major Emmott's reproaches-she
had been disloyal to Roy, and she per-
hape made Mark Mowbray think that
she might care for him. The last was
the most serious thought, for Roy knew
that in her heart she had never been
disloyal to him for moment, and the
majors good opinion did not matter
much. But to shake mans faith In
women was q very serious thing, and
Lilac shuddered again as she thought
Of Major Emmott's accusation. She felt
that she must know the worst and set
matters right at once, and. when she
moved at last, 1t was to walk swiftly
along the deck in search Of Mark Now
bray.
1t was warm and moonlit night.
and most OF the passengers were on
deck. sitting about in their deck-chairs
or leaning over the taffrail in couples.
flirting and gossiping. A couple Of
American professionals who were on
board were playing selections on the
harp and violin. and the sweet strains
enhanced the calm peacefulness which
seemed to brood over the vessel as 1t
ploughed its way steadily through the
calm. moonlit waters. 1t presented a
strange contrast to the turmoil in poor
Lilac's mind as she walked quickly
along the deck. glancing at every face
she passed to see r. It was the one she
was seeking.
Mark Mowbray was standing alone.
leaning over the side Of the vessel.
his eyes fixed upon the silver track
which seemed to lead to the moon. his
mind busy weaving day dreams.
A touch on the arm made him turn
his eyes fro mthe sea. and he started
when he saw that Lilac herself was
standing by his eide Her face in the
moonlight had ghost-like pallor. and
when she spoke her usually musical
voice was hoarse. which told him that
she was ,sgitated. The harp and the
violin stopped at the end of the selec-
ton. and he could hear plainly. al
though her words came to him in little
more than whisper.
.I have something that feel must
say to you. Mr.. Mowbray." she began.
"but hardly know how to say it"
He inclined his head without reply
ing. and the girl went on:
Major Emmott has been speaking
to me about you"
Indeed! did not know that he
condescended to acknowledge the fact
Of my existence. hope he has not
been trying to prejudice you against
ime2'
''No. nor cried Lilac. finding her
task even more difficult than she had
anticipated. "It was not so much about
you as about myself"
The novelist looked puzzled He
could scarcely believe that at the ma
jor's instigation the girl was trying
to force him to a declaration Of his
Intentions: yet that seemed to be the
only end she could have in view. He
waited again without replying, and
Lilac, who was becoming more agitated
every moment, made a great effort and
forced out the words:
Major Emmott accuses me Of hav-
ing flirted with your
The novelist looked puzzled and still
made no reply.
"You do not think that I have
fiirted with your she asked with im-
patience as well as pain in her voice
when he remained silent; and the young
man answered thoughtfully:
mol do not think you have tried
to make me care for you.''
The music began again AZ Lilac
went on more calmly:
s.The major seems to think that I