The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1902-09-12
By II. s. cANFIELD
CHAPTER Iy.-(Continued.)

CHAPTER IV.-(Continued.)
II ask you now"
Maude stood before her, erect, his
head thrown slightly back, his face
pale, his lips compressed. She felt
rather than saw then that he was be-
tween her and the ranche-house so
that she could not leave him abruptly.
This tended to anger her. She thought
rapidly. This was a proposal of mar
the man was asking her to be
his wife. He was a gentleman born
assuredly. still on the right side OF
forty, cultured, experienced. He was
the friend and associate Of other gen.
tlemen, sc that there could be nothing
radically wrong with him. Before her
stretched a prospect Of long years in
the school-room, the necessity OF earn
Ing her bread, or of walking alone
through the world, under the impalp-
able shadow which clings about every
woman devoid of male protection. 1t
was not cheering. On the other hand,
she did not love him. There was SO
little doubt of 1t that she had never
asked herself the question. He was
neither especially attractive nor repel-
lent to her. She felt that he. would
compel the respect OF any woman, but
respect is thing and love is an
other. She had seen l0veless unions
and their desperate results and she had
no mind to make one. At the same
time, he was doing her the highest
honor that mar can pay. He was will
ing to take her absolutely on trust. II
she knew nothing Of his past, he knew
nothing Of hers. nor had he shown
any disposition to inquire. Frying
was not a part of Maude's nature.
There was q certain recklessness in
him that showed sometimes under the
iron calm Of his manner. He was en-
titled to consideration. There could
be no doubt Of that. either. All Of
this flashed through her brain in the
nve seconds which interviewed between
his proposal and her reply. Still he
stood between her and the house and
this was irritating. so she said clearly
and icily:
II am not going to seek protection.
Mr.. Maude. / have no thought Of hee-
ing to Mrs. Glynn."
He bit his lip. but moved instantly
to one side. Then she half-turned.
faced him and went on:
"This IL my frst proposal. I am
twenty-five years old, but you are the
only man who has asked me to marry
him. I appreciate the honor you do
me. believe mi. I appreciate the fact
that, not knowing or asking who or
what I am, you have offered to make
me your wife. to place your name In
keeping. ! am dattered by this.
/ am flattered further by the fact that
the offer comes from one who has seen
the world and many women. Still, /
oan not answer you Yes While you
ofer me much. you are asking much.
Il 10 all Of my future life you require.
The woman who marries must be pre-
pared to lose her old self and fnd a
new self that will be happier and bet
ter. This is sometimes done, but not
always. I respect you'll may even say
that / like you-but liking ID not love
and"
His face had grown grayer as she
proceeded. His yes we're fixed in
tently upon her face as IL he would
read every thought thereon. Once or
twice he had started to speak and
checked himself. Now, as he saw the
words shaping themselves which would
deny him that which hs craved. the
pent-up passion In him broke loose.
He seized her hand roughly, aercely,
and try as she might she could not dis
engage it. He spoke rapidly and
hoarsely:
"Wait! Do not say that which you
may repent and which will make my
life black. When first l raw you m
thing new and strong came from you
to me and entered into me and gripped
my soul. You are all earth and the
hereafter to me! Sun. moon, stars, the
ssa and windA, hope. desire. ambition,
strength Of tcdy and will. life itself are
In you. In all past years + have
dreamed Of = woman. On Asian
stsppes. ON African sands, in tropic for
ests. On the bosoms Of broad rivers,
on wind-beaten seas, in the clamor
and clangor Of huge cities. on peaceful
English country-sides, in noon-hours
and night-hours she has come to me
and I know now that the woman is
you. For this / have waited. Other
men have fought for riches, or celeb
rity. or for the JOY Of lighting. I have
striven only that / might win to the
place where you were standing and
waiting. + have come; you have come.
Some invisible hand has directed our
steps. ! know not whether this hand
= benign or hateful. but 1t has done
~ work. Why else should l be here
ana you here? Lois, l love you. You
are o beautiful than any vision
that ever visited the aching eyeballs OF
. dying Inner Of starved body and
throbbing brain. Do not answer me
tonight. have been hurried; l should
have waited; but / could not wait
longer. You are surrounded by men
younger than I; more light-hearted;
more suited to you in every way. It