The Red Cloud chief., 1900-05-25

have promised to marry" he says,
with sudden ]ferceness. "A gambler,
and a gambler who cannot meet his
engagements. No Bouverie ever dis
graced himself like that before. You
had better say good-by to me, Bar
bara. Your aunt was right am not
fit match for you"
Barbara's cheeks are pale enough
now.
George leans the bicycle against a
tree, and leads her across the grass to
a wood. where the green moss grows
in feathery tufts like sofa pillows, and
where here and there the celandine is
lifting its sparkling. spring like face,
the birds filling the air with song. All
the world appears full Of hope and
promise; hope seems everywhere but
in the heart of George Bouverie.
Barbara's eyes are slowly filling
with tears. but what Is that in wom-
ans love that makes her then more
tender to the erring and more lenient
to the failures, sa ready to forgive?
She and George nave seated them
selves on a fallen tree, and she is the
comforter. His hand is held to her
bosom, her face, full of love and pity,
is upturned, with the tears %quivering
on her lasles.
IL feel as If I could shoot myself
George cries passionately. Sweet
heart, I have only brought sorrow on
you"
Barbara looks at him bravely.
George, when | promised to marry
you, it was to be for better, for worse.
It Is the same as II we were married
now. am glad you have told me
your trouble. 1t is very dreadful;
hardly understand what II means; but,
my dearest, l will help you to bear
it."
How sweet are her words, how earn
est the pure and lovely face!
George only groans.
Barbara does not know OF the mire
of difficulties that so nearly submerge
him.
He turns his haggard gaze on her.
Nothing can help me, unless get 9
hundred pounds; and what l feel mos
is what this will mean to my poo
mother"
He might have thought Of this be
fore, but Barbara does not say so; on
ly leans her cheek against his shout
der, and looks away at the golden Sc;
of daffodils that fiutter SO gaily in tn
March sunshine.
II would rather release you," Georg
says huskily. 81 shall have to &
abroad or somewhere"
IL will 60 with you," Barbara says
in a sweet, unsteady voice. "Yo
cannot give me up George, for I won
be given up unless you do not care 70
me any longer"
II must love you till ! die" erie
poor George, love and remorse maxim
him well-nigh desperate.
But even Barbara cannot raise hi
spirits. Nothing can lift the gloor
from his face. A trouble like this take
the life out of a man. The girl put
her arm about his neck and draw
his grave, unhappy face down to hers
George, after this you will neve
bet on those horrid horses again
Once this trouble passes away-and
will pass, %dear-you will be brave.
think, George Oh, ! don't kno'
how to say it! But do you remembe
the preacher in the square? He sal
God will help people to resist tempta
ton even in the little things Of every
day life"
THAT Is rubbish" George return
answering her caress. my old motht
talks that sort Of nonsense. l don
believe she buys a new bonnet will
out asking for guidance as to tn
color Of the ribbon" He laughs
mirthless laugh. 1T stands to reasol
darling. l don't look on a mess iii
mine as what mother calls a chastel
ing OF the Lord. l have brought 1t a
on myself. worse luck! and | don
expect a miracle to get me out OF Il
; hold. My Barbara, my own low
, you've lost your heart to a worthlei
sort Of chap. Even Sebastian Saville-
but, no! ! would hang myself II y1
. were his wife,"
The misery seems d%arkening eve
, moment. That awful promissory not
! given to pay that wretched racir
;. debt, is ever in his mind. Not eve
Barbara's love can help him now!
He stands up, a tall, splendid fgur
9 in tweed knickerbockers; so goodly
look upon, so wretched and unhapp
as his haggard face shows.
n II have only about a fortnight"
says, as together they walk back
where Barbara left her bicycle. AFT
o that, oh, my darling. what am l
do?"
Barbara's heart echoes the cry. II
1: face is as sad as his as she whe'
away In the sunlight; and Geori
~thrusting his hands In his pockets a
/. sinking his head on his chest, wal
J. slowly back to the house.
CHAPTER Nv.
n Mr.. Saville's answer has come.