The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1902-10-31
CHAPTER X.-(Conttinued.)

Maude, and between courses she stud
led furtively, but a~ttentively, his dark
face. She marked new things in 1t,
though she had thought that she knew
1t well-a certain thinness OF lip be-
hind which the sharp-pointed teeth
showed occasionally, and he man took
on a wolish likeness for her. She
wondered what scenes he had witness
ed, and how deeply stained were his
slender hands, il only the red would
show. When he addressed a remark
to her, as he did in courtesy o than
once-his manners were nearly always
irreproachable-she answered steadily,
but briefly. She vas too much Of a
woman to give him a hint OF the
0ugnts behind her frank eyes. New
eS4heless there was an indefinable
chill from her to him. and he felt it.
When he came into the drawing room
he managed to approach her when she
was for a moment alone. and whisper
ed:
I'VE should still be friends, despite
past things. We are still friends, are
we mot ?"
There were times when Lois was not
a fencer. The impulsive blood mixed
with the colder New England strain
occasionally asserted itself. She look
ed at him squarely, and her eyes spoke
defiance and a challenge as plainly as
IL a glove had been hurled against his
cheek.
mo-" she said icily and slowly, I'VE
are not and can never be-"
He did not ask for an explanation.
His cheek paled slightly and he bow
ed Is he drew apart. "It is as well
So" he muttered. He knew then, and
ever afterward, that his conduct at
the ford had been retailed to her. He
looked at the men In turn until his
glance reached Allyn. Upon him the
black eyes rested steadily for a mo-
ment while q half sneer formed upon
his thin lips. Next moment he was
busy In talk with Glynn over a certain
noted fox which had its den In the
river bank and had thrice eluded them.
Lois excused herself early and went
to the sick room. She felt sorry for
the Mexican nurse who had stuck man
fully to his post. and intended. II pos
sible, to relieve him for the night.
Weaton was In light slumber. the. dew
OF Precipitation on his forehead and
his right hand flung up above his head.
Quirino slept soundly and loudly upon
the fioor. snoring In semi exhaustion.
She laid her hand upon the coverlet
and turned It down to examine the
bandages. In doing this she was
swayed by no more Of sex feeling than
would have come to any other physi-
clan, male or female. The smuggler
was to her at that moment only SO
much damaged flesh and bone, which
1t q her duty to assist In making
whole.
He opened his eyes and looked at her
with . half smile In them. Plainly the
fever and delirium had passed.
How long have I been here?" he
asked.
Two days now"
= AO 90 AAy 0OA 60OA ~ AOS AOS0A -
Not unless he Ii needed"
He will not be needed. / shall be
able to stand. how soon do you Think
II cannot say. You are young and
very strong and this ID an exception
ally good climate for wounds. In ten
days at earliest ! should say"
Good! And after that" his brow
contracted for . moment as . thought
Of the doom ahead CT him flashed
through his brain. then cleared quick
ly-"after that / shall have with me
always q memory OF your kindness.
May I ask your manner"
my name Is English-Miss Lois
English-a governess here. I am glad
that I could help you. The little l
have been ablsrto do has been a pleas
ure 70 me. It has showed me that /
am not much out Of practice"
He did not answer for . moment, but
looked at her steadily. kindly and re-
spectfully. Then he said:
"You have helped me. very much
mo I stranger and . criminal-helped
me possibly In more ways than inc
It has been long since I saw a woman
OF grace and beauty and refinement
and goodness. The best Of us grow
worse when kept apart from the COM
panionship and influence Of such as
you. and I was never one Of the best.
It may sound queerly to you, Miss
English, but II l knew the man who
shot me I should feelAno anger toward
him. / am lying hero with a hole in
my. shoulder and I do not know what
may come to me later. yet T think I
am fortunate. At any rate, I would
not be back with vavara again, though
the cactus hills were round us and the
moon overhead and the life. at least,
was free"
She did not know how to answer
him-indeed, she thought that some
remnant Of his delirium fingered with
him. - he had spoken rapidly with q
trace Of excitement-so she said:
Good night! I hope that you will
sleep!" and SO left him.