The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1902-10-17

brightly, between Mr.. Merton inc my
self. We are plotting the ruin of some
one" Then turning to me, still with a
smile on her lips, but a strange Plead
ing in her eyes, II do not know what
is being done. But he is a secret agent
kept quiet. But-but-they are search
ing with all the forces and power at
their command to find the man who did
it. All that noise outside last night
was the attack being made to capture
him. They may-they may find him!"
And il they do?' =
"They will kill him without trial, or
the knowledge of any one but them
selves!"
I knew it well, and had all day. Yet
tbs not in me to deny that a cold shiv-
er ran up my spine, as I stood up with
the others and drank at the baron's
call the health of their gracious ma
j~esties, the king and queen" and T took
what there was in my glass.
Il am sorry for the man, whoever he
be-"
God guard him!" whispered the girl
under her breath with a white face.
Pinch your cheeks, Mistress" said
I, smiling, 'for / think the captain fears
the joke is but a poor one"
Her face lit with a quick, natural
smile.
"'Twas not you, then, was it? Tell
mel"
Rather tell Major sproat on your
right the pith Of the joke" said I, and
I took to myself the rest of the glass
Of burgundy, for the wine was good
for the nerves, and before we were
done there were five kinds set before
us.
In a moment or two she turned
again to me.
THAT was a capital story" I said.
Tell me the other you mentioned.
All! twill be less amusing I can see
from YOU sorrowful facet" But the
girl that I had seen stand up before
five ruffians in the foul tavern was as
game here as there. She changed the
expression Of her face, but she could
not alter the look in her eyes. For a
moment she crumbled a bit Of bread
at her plate, looking at it, and then:
There is not much of a story, and
h there is of it is but an old and
ommon tale"
"Yet I would zeal it, if 7 may" I
answered.
There was once a young girl-a
foolish wench-who was hidden by her
parents to a good marriage"
"Ah!" said I, otis a fairy tale. And
why was the wench a foolish wench? 2"
"A fairy tale, indeed" she answered,
~ |AAAo "SAASAA VfSI1o III VI
this good marriage, because the mar
was a mean and cowardly wretch, and
-and"-she had turned to me a little,
her hand still crumbling the bread, one
white arm resting on the cloth, the
other hand in her lap, quivering on her
silken dress, and her fair white bosom
rose and fell quickly, as If it would
burst her bodice, but finding that too
strong would escape above tt-"and she
was forced to do this thing, this dread
full thing, by her fathers wish"
and" said I, suddenly. she ran
away to escape IT,"
And was brought, back to it," she
added, giving me a long look that
stirred the very soul in me, was
brought back to it, because the good
man of the good marriage held the for
tunes Of her father in the palm of his
hand"
"Thy face is a beautiful but an open
book, Mistress Deborah" said I, inter-
rupting her, land there be those here
that can read, I fear. So! That closes
the volume partly" for she had
Strengthened up a bit, and a little pitt
full smile struggled at the corners of
her mouth. God knows 7 could have
taken her in my arms there before
her in her loneliness n trouble, and
bade her have no fear. But I only
said between my teeth:
What did this good man to her?"
II threatened her always, and tried
to force her to 1t, n held up the ruin
Of her family-he has, indeed, time and
again!"
Course the coward!" said I, softly.
"And-and she had no one to help
her-in this fairy tale-until she saw
some once
AYE, dear heart, he is found" said
I. What shall he do?"
IF he would meet her and let
her."
Where and when?"
Tomorrow night beyond the Vaux-
a gardens a few rods, by a clump Of
four great trees"
HE will be there! And stay-let the
princess in the fairy tale have the good
man meet her there, too! Ave, do as
I bid, grill" T added, as a frightened
look came into her eyes.
you are a good friend, Merton-Mr,
Merton" said she, softly, as her head
bent for a moment. And there upon
the table, my foot touching hers, I put
mine upon 1T and gave the only. pres
sure Of sympathy vouchsafed to me.
Up over her face to her white fore
head and on into her hair went a sweet
flush that seemed to draw a smile after
1t, playing about her lips and into her
beautiful eyes.
Strange that Just then I caught a.
warning look in the baroness face as
she talked on to the prince. But I did
see It,, and, not knowing what TO do,
drank off again at a gulp another glass
of wine.
The little shoe futtered under INV
boot, but did not withdraw, and for a
moment we sat there quiet In the
midst of that bustling, laughing, Cos
siping room full, with glasses climbing
and toasts tripping UP and down the
board. And as the hostess rose and
all followed her example I caught a
strange look in young Atherton's eyes
where the fiend had I seen that face
before?-that at this moment was
enough to set me On fire as I stepped
back to hand my supper. partner to the
door Of the drawing room. There I
gave her to the fair young baroness,
and saw them lock arms affectionately
n walk on into the other room close
together, but saying not word.
DRAW up to this end Of the table,
gentlemen" cried the host, cheerfully.
Let us give the health Of his royal
highness!" And SO weestood and drank
again, and in good truth, what with ny
strange conversation and the two great
pieces Of news I had heard within an