The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1900-07-19
CHAT TER Ix.-tCoNrrsuED.o

Opposition was futile, but Constance
countenance was SO downcast at the
prospect of the excursion, that Edward
made a pretext, before going out, to
call her into the adjoining sitting
COON. "How have forfeited my place
In your good graces?" he began, In
blayfulness, that was lost In earnest
ness before he finished bis speech. Il
have tried to persuade myself that your
cold avoidance Of me for weeks past,
and your rel set on of my services wnen-
ever 1t Is possible for you To dispense
with them, was, In part, an unfounded
fancy Of my own, and partly the re-
suit OF your absorption Ia the dear
duty that has demanded your time
and thoughts. / have begun lately to
have other fears-dreads lest had UNI
Willingly wounded or displeased you.
DO me the justice to believe that, II
this be so, the offense was unconsci-
GUS"
"You have offered none-none what
everv' interposed Constance, with cold
emphasis. Il am sorry my manner has
given rise to such approximations"
4 'That lie not spoken like the frank
sister Of month ago." said Edward,
retaining the hand she would have
Withdrawn. IL Will not release you
until you tell me what Is the shadow
upon the affection that was to me more
dear than any other friendship, and
which I dared hope was much to you.
Be, for one instant, yourself. and tell
me ALL"
She was very pale, but, in despera-
ton, she tried to laugh. "You must
not call me to account for my looks
and actions nowadays, Edward. / think
sometimes that l am not quite sane.
] have gone through much suffering;
been the prey of imaginings that al
most deprived me Of reason, besides
enduring the real and present trial.
And heaven knows how unready was
Tor it ALP
| Zone word, my dear girl, and my In
QUESTION Is over. Assure me honestly
and without fear of wounding me, have
you ever. in your most secret thought,
blamed me for the casualty which so
nearly widowed you? did try, as you
can bear me witness, to dissuade him
whom we both love from the expert
ment that cost him so dear. The idea
that you may have doubted this has
panied me inexpressibly."
Dismiss the suspicion at once and
forever Constance looked steadily
into his face and spoke calmly. 1.-THE
thought has never entered my mind.
] blame no one for my trouble-except-
ing myself!''
Before she could divine his purpose,
Edward had put his arm over her
shoulder and pressed his lips to hers.
LET bygones be bygonesp' he said,
brightly and fondly. I'VE have too
much to live and to hope for to waste
time in nursing unhealthy surmises
and fears"
oh" The sharp little interjection
came from the threshold of the door
leading into the hall. where Miss Field
was dicovered In fine attitude Of bash
ful apology, family favored with prud-
ish CONSERVATION. II did not dream
you were here. I was on my way to
my cousins roomw she continued. in
q prodigious flutter Of finglets and
shoulders. II beg a million pardons,
\ am sure"
You need not beg one" said the
undaunted Edward, without releasing
Constance. Connie and / have been
settling a trivial Misunderstanding in
good boy-and-girl style--have Just
Kissed and made up and we now mean
to be better friends than ever"
HE! he! You are excessively candid,
to be sure!' Uttered Harriet. "But"
her black curls-"Mrs. With
ers knows men and human nature too
well to believe quite all you say. We
must not forget, my dear madam,
that men were deceivers ever"
@'You speak feellngly," said Edward,
following Constance with his
eye, as she moved silently toward her
husbands chamber II shall caution
the lady OF my love-should the gods
ever bestow one upon me-not to sip of
the bitter waters of your wisdom"
Had he seen the glitter of the round,
black orbs that pursued his retiring
figure, he might have made more
exit, his run down the stairs
been less swift, the air he hurnmed, as
he wen., less gay.
He had pleasant drive; Constance
IN hour of mingled sweet and bitter
ness, 1t was difficult to bear her part
In the apparent renewal of the familiar
intercourse OF other days, without re-
Iaxing the severe guard she had set
upon herself from the moment she dis
covered the true nature of the senti-
ment sao entertained for her husbands
brother. She could not help delight
Inc In his snciatu In the naanifald