The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1900-02-15
CHAPTER XXI.
LYNDALL's STRANGER.

| LYNDALL's STRANGER.
A fire Is burning in the unused hearth
If the cabin. The fuel blazes up and
lights the black rafters and warns the
faded red lions on the quilt and fills
the little room with a glow Of warmth
and light made brighter by contrast,
for outside the night is chill and misty.
| Before the open fireplace sits a stran-
ger, his tall. slight figure reposing in
| the broken armchair, his keen blue
| eyes studying the fire from beneath
delicately penciled. dropping eyelids.
| One white hand plays thoughtfully
| with a heavy aaxen mustache, yet
| once he starts, and for an instant the
| languid lids raise themselves. There
is keen. intent look upon the face as
he listens for something. Then he
leans back in his chair, fills his glass
| from the silver flask in his bag and re-
sumes his old posture.
Presently the door opens noiselessly.
1t is Lyndall, followed by Doss. Quiet
" as she enters he hears her and
turns
81 thought you were not coming"
81 waited till all had gone to bed.
/ could not come before"
She removed the shawl that envelop-
ed her, and the stranger rose to offer
her his chair, but she took her seat on
! low pile of sacks before the window.
"I hardly see why / should be out
lawed after this fashion," he said, re-
seating himself and drawing his chair
little nearer to her. These are hard
ly the quarters one expects to find aft
er travelling hundred miles in answer
to an invitation
II said, Come if you wish.'" 81
"And 1 did wish. You give me
cold reception" .
81 could not take you to the house.
Questions would be asked which
could not answer without prevarica-
tion."-
>"Your conscience is growing to have
q certain virgin tenderness" he said in
a low. melodious voice.
81 have no conscience. l spoke one
deliberate lie this evening. l said the
had best not have him in the house.
Therefore brought him here. 1t was
deliberate lie, and hate lies. tell
them if must, but they hurt me-"
well. you do not tell lies to yourself,
at all events. You are candid SO far"
She interrupted him. ..
"You got my short letter.?
Eyes; that is why come. You sent
very foolish reply. You must take it
back. Who is this fellow you talk Of
marryingT
"a young farmer"
"Lives hereY'
Yes; he has gone to town to get
things for our wedding"
what kind Of fellow is he"
"a fool" .
"And you would rather marry him
than meY' .
Eyes, because you are not one"
'"That is novel reason for refus-
ing to marry a man." he said, lean
ing his elbow on the table and watch
Ing her keenly.
at is a wise one," she said shortly.
IF marry him, l shall shake him off
my hand when it suits me. II l re-
NAMED with him for II months. he
! would never have dared to kiss my
hand. AS far as ] wish he should come
he comes and no further. Would you
ask me what you might and what you
might not do|
Her companion raised his mustache
with caressing movement from his
lip and smiled. 1t was not question
that stood in need Of any answer.
"Why do you wish to enter on this
semblance Of marriageY'
Because there is only one point on
which l have a conscience. have told
/ you So"
! '"Then why not marry meT
Because IL once you have me you
would hold me fast. l shall never be
free again" She drew long, low
! breath.
"What have you done with the ring
gave your he said.
Sometimes wear 1t. Then I take
It OF and wish to throw 1t into the fire.
! The next day put 1t on again. and
sometimes kiss It"
$50 you do love me q nttleY J
"If you were not something more to
me than any other man in the world,
do you think" She paused. II love you
when see you. but when you are
away from me ! hate vou."
- =