Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1902-08-23

as / moved along n sighed again. In
her half conscious condition and reach
ing up one round arm put 1t about my
neck. so could / have carried her a
hundred miles. Was it not enough TO
make the warm blood flow back and
forth to your heart? And would not a
man give half his days to feel such
another slowly throbbing against his
coat? For the life OF me / could not
forbear to take the longest way TO the
yate-twas but a paltry step at the
longest.
Come to the roadside, however, and
~ the horses, / sat down upon the
grass and, still holding her, waited In
silence for very fear that she might
rake and force me to let her 60. And
then she drew something of a long
breath and opened her eyes.
IT'S quite right here, now" sal I.
We be in the road far from the
house. and she turne her head slow
ly, looking up at me, her cheek touch
ing my coat. And i saw that the fear
was gone.
why, where are thy nerves, grip
[ cried, with a laugh. Could not a
man laugh for very joy of life at such
4 face, lying close to him, and looking
up at him so with never fear nor doubt,
but oh, what a world OF trouble in the
eyes? If indeed there be one who
~ lloNt lVN lll BNN mn w IL huil-
merry, for he is a fool.
You will not cave me?" she MUIR
INJURED.
God forbid!' said ], fe~rvently. And
h moved q bit in my arms and drew
another long sigh.
SO sat quiet for a space, Roger gaz-
Ing down at me in wonder. And after
n little she moved again.
What is it?' said l, softly, for fear
Of waking her.
II think / can sit up now" she
answered.
mo, no." / insisted, you're much too
weak" And no doubt she was.
Il think that-that t were better |
should" said she, with a trace OF her
self creeping into her voice.
May, child" said l again, at will be
your certain death. Lie still" S
since when, sir, have you acquired
the authority to command me?" she
asked, yet never moving to rise. There
she lay close to me, her face as pale
as the moonlight. yet giving the hint
of h petulant raillery in her eye and
voice.
According to one, Marvin by anne,
had a right to command her. and as
the thought grew in my head l held her
closer to me, and looked down in her
eyes, and said not a word.
Mr.. Balfortl"
Aye, t was over! There sat Mistress
Deborah bolt upright beside me, talk
ing up the tresses Of her long hair with
hands hat might shake a little, but
with no wavering in her face. Still /
said not Il word. Indeed, l did not like
to meet her eye just then.
Il think l shall get up and walk q
little came i'm n constrained voice
from her. And she forwith attempted
to rise. But had II not been for Il
quick grasp from me she would have
fallen, and so, with a w laugh,
she held to my arm again and looked
up at me.
Forgive me, dear friend! You were
right. l am as weak as any nervous
girl. Indeed, l am ashamed of such
fainthcartcdness."
Never a trace of faint heart is there
about YOU" / answered, warmly. Blu
you have had a night that might wei.
strain the nerves of a strong mgn-Nilt
take my arm and walk?'
She looked at me SearChingly and
made the trial. Then OH a sudden she
seemed to sink from me, and grasped
my arm heavily, murmuring with that
strange nervous laugh in her voice:
II am sorry, but-but will you
would you help me to "a"
And l had my arm about her again
for, indeed, the girl could not stand.
You are too weak to walk, and you
must trust to me as a gentleman-as {
fTiend-as "a"
"Husband?"
Il did not say So"
You thought it, perhaps?"
My thoughts are my own mistress.
Indeed, sir, | fancied they were any
Cne's who might look on your face"
Does n face, then, say l am a vii
lair? p
go, dost o see. stupid cried she
how safe | feel with yOu out OF tina.
terrible house? Could / smile and joke
think you, after that, If / were not IA
free as air-only a little weak anC
tired and"
And then of a sudden she leaned he
head against my shoulder and weep
softly, holding my arm tight the while
do not cry so, MISTRESS! Wilt no
rest quietly a moment till strength
comes to you''
You do not understand n woman!'
cried she, between sobs. GO away anC
leave me-leaVe me alonei"
What the fiend | should do now
could not guess, till ! bethought me O
a pocket flask Of brandy in the saddle
and, laying her quietly by the road
side, | was there and back i'm
moment and had forced her TO take
swallow or two. After that, Withou
more ado, / threw the reins of the tw
horses over one arm. and, picking he
up, started down the road for the vii
lage, just as the first signs of dawn APP
peared over the hills.