Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1900-03-23
CHAPTER Nj

I II" station nj Sutton stool pcrchct
mp alloy" the village on Il high rmlani-
mcnt. Up nj the station it WAS always
drau.h.y and generally cold. To-day,
This very early morning, about ten min
nics irforc the first ~rp-triin is due. it is
not only cold and draughty. but it is also
wet AN. fosgy. n damp. white mist fills
The valley and hangs chillingly about the
narrow. open shed on the upside of the
station. c%lingin@ colby and penetrating
~ 20 the garments OF IL tall young lady
in Il long ulster and Il thick veil. who is
slowly walking up aud down the plat
form.
The solitary porter on duty eyes her
inluirinsly. Coin. by tl,cv uletrain,
miss: liz says. touching his hat respect
fuity As he passes her.
No. says Vera. blushing hotly under
the thick shelter of her veil. and then
adds with that readiness OF explanation
I" which persons who have Il guilty con-
science are prone. II am only waiting to
See somebody off"
Presently the few passengers for the
carly train begin To arrive. Maurice is
very lasc. Vera remembers that lie AL
ways puts off starting To catch Il train
till the very last minute. She stands
waiting for him at the further end of the
platform. with !, beating heart and IL
fever "f Impotence within her.
The Train stc;ms up, and Maurice lIur-
rlcs "rward: lie does not even seq her.
hut when I'LL his things are put into the
carriage Captain kynaston hears IL soft
voice behind him.
II have come TO wish o good-by
again. He turns. flushing at the sound
of the sweet. familiar voice.
.f'A,I ,,,,,, N'.., ~, -.-t.
Il morning:'
II could not let you go away without
-witiiout-onc kind word,'' she begins,
stammrring painfully.
"Il,is is too good of Nou.' That very
minute II %brougham daslcs rapidly up
to the station.
iii is the Shadonake carriagc.." cried
Vera. casting IL terrified glance behind
her. Who can it be-! They will see
me-
Jump into the train he answers. lur-
ricdly, and without IL thought beyond an
instinct of MISREPRESENTATION for the mo-
mcnt. she obcys him. Maurice follows her
quickly. closing the carriage door behind
him.. Before she could speak another
word the guards sharp. shrill whistle
hcraldcd the departure of the train.
With IL cry Vera sprang toward the
door: before she could reach it, Maurice.
WIN had perceived instantly what had
happened. had let dow the window and
WAS shoutin. to the porter. 1t was too
late. The train was off.
Vera sank back hopclcssly upon the
scat. and Maurice. according to the man
ncrs and customs of infatuated I~;riions.
gave uttclancc to IL very %laconic word
Of had import below his breath.
.! would not have had this happen for
ten thousand pounds" he said. after Il
minute. looking al her in blank despair.
Vera was taking off her veil mccllall-
icaiiy: when lir could SEQ her face he
perceived that she WAS very white.
"Nrycr mind" she said. with Il faint
smile: there is no real harm done. 1t
is unfortunate. that is all. The train
stops ut l'ripton. | can get out there
and walk home"
II blame myself bitterly for this.
Ncya.'' he said in Il low. panied voice.
Had ii not been for my foolish. un-
THINKING. words To you yesterday. yon
would not nave been tempted to do this
rash act of kindness. ! spoke to you in
81 way that l had no right to speak. he
lieving that my words would make no
impression upon YOU beyond the fact of
showing you that it was impossible for
me To stay for your wedding. ] never
drcamcl that your kindly interest in me
would lead you to waste another thought
upon me-.
SHE turned round to him sharply and
suddenly. ''\Nhat are YOU S:ying: she
cried with 81 harsh pain i'll her vC:cc.
''Wli,: words are you using to me! Kind
ness. pity. gcncrosity.-have they any
place here between you and me-
There WAS IL moment in which neither
Of them spoke. only their eyes met. and
the secret of what was hidden in their
souls lay suddenly revealed TO each of
them. In another instant Vera had sun
upon her knees before him.
While you live" she cried. passionate
ly. lifting her beautiful dark eyes. that
were filled with IL new light and Il new
glory. In his-"whilr you live | will never
be another MANS Wife"
"l'or heavens sake. Ncrn..' he cried
which lies between us-which must part
us forever"
Lowing YOU. l will never marry Your
brother she answered earnestly.
".Ani l will never rob my brother of
his britr. Darling. darling. do not tempt
me-. 10 reach you. love. would be- to dip
III. minus III ulSloIuT anu DHStSl tTcdcH.
cry. Not even for you can | do this vile
lilin-. Let me 20 ont of Your life for
ever: irlicvc me. it is better so: hest for
us both. In time you will forget. YOU
will he Happy. He will he good to you.
and yon will be glad that you were not
tempted To bctray him."
"You do not know what you ask of
me-" she cried. lifting her face. all wet
Will, tears. to his. Leave me. if you
wil'-so y"mr way-forget melt is all the
same 10 me: henccforth there is no other
man OH earth to me but you. | will never
swear VOWS ut the altar that l cannot
keep. or commit the frightful sin of mar
ryi,ig one man Willie know that l loyc
another. And l cannot help loving. you..'
He took her clnspcd. trembling hands
within his own. and held them tightly. In
that IN the woman was weak and
the man was her master.
LISTEN" he said. "ies. you are right.
| am poor; hut that is not all. Vera. for