The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1902-08-22

ner nall conscious condition and reach
ing up n round arm put Is about my
neck. So could I have carried her a
hundred miles. Was it not enough to
make the warn blood flow back and
forth TO your heart! And would no a
man give half his days to feel such
another slowly %throbbing against his
coat? For the life O. me I could not
~forbear to take the longest way to the
gate-'twas but a paltry step at the
longest. -eG-rE
Come to the roadside, however, and
by the horses, I sat down upon the
grass and, still holding her, waited in
silence for very fear that she might
wake and force me to let her go. And
then she drew something of q long
breath and opelled her eyes. +.
""Tis quite right here, now" said I.
We be in the road far from the
house, and she turned her head SLOW
ly, looking UP at me, her cheek touch
ing my coat. And I saw that the fear
was gone. " s.# -
why, where are thy nerves, girle'
I cried. with a laugh. Gould not a
man laugh for YER: joy of life at such
a 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
eyes2. If dndeed there be one who
could not. let him get him to a nun
merry, for he is a fool. .FE-aN
You will not leave me?" she muir
mured ny
God forbid!" said I, fervently. And
she moved a bit in my arms and drew
another long sigh. tal Ia
So l sat quiet for a space, Roger gaz-
Ing down at me in wonder. And after
a little she moved again. r 80 ~.
What Is it?' said l, softly, for fear
of waking her. 'ti f. t5
Il think / "a sit up now" she
answered.
No, no." I insisted, you're much too
weak" And no doubt she was.
Il think that--that It were better T
should" said she, with a trace of her
'self creeping into her voice.
Nay, child,'' said I again, ct will be
yonr certain death. Lie still!',H
Since when, sir, have you acquired
the authority to command me 2" she
asked. yet never moving to rise. There
she lay close: to me her face as pale
as the moonlight, vet giving the hint
of the .petulant raillery in her eye and
voice. s,,---s
According. to one, Marvin by name, T
had a right to command her, and as
the thought grew in my head 1 held her
closer to me, and looked down in her
eyes, and said not a word. @
Mr., Balfort!',@ y -% >
Aye, t was over! There sat Mistress
VI ~ oColSlC iIS lam
ing up the ~tresses' of her long hair with
hands that might shake a little, but
with no wavering in her face. StillTI
said not a word. Indeed, Iydid not like
to meet her eye just then.
II think I shall get UP and walk a
little" came In a constrained voice
from her. And she forwith attempted
to rise. But had it not been for a
quick grasp from me she would have
fallen, and so, with a v laugh,
she held to my arm again and looked
up at me.
Forgive me, dear friend! You We're
right. / am as weak as any ervou
girl. Indeed, 1 am ashamed of such
faintheartedness."
Never a trace of faint heart is there
about. you," l answered, warmly. t'But
you have had a night that might we'll
strain the nerves of a strong man. Wilt,
take my arm and walk"
She looked at me searchingly and
made the trial. Then on a sudden She
seemed to sink from me, and grasped
my arm heavily, murlnuring with, that
strange nervous laugh in her voice:
II am sorry, but-but will you
would you help me&to a."
And I had my arm about her again.;
Tor, indeed, the girl could not stand.
you are too weak to walk, and you
must trust to me as a gentleman-as q
/ - CA4o a. q aE'... a. d.. .HEf# .HWt g.
"Husband?"
II did not say so.''
you thought it, %perhaps?"
MY, thoughts are my own, mistress"
Indeed, sir,.I fancied they were any
ones who might look on your face!'
Does nay face, then, say I am a VIII
lain 2" &'/
%, dost not see, stupid cried she,
show safe I feel with you out of: that
terrible house? Could l smile and joke,
think you, after that, If T were not as
free as air-only a little weak and
tired and E
And then Of a sudden she leaned her
head against my shoulder and wept
softly, holding my arm tight the while.
do not cry SO, mistress! Wilt not
rest quietly a moment till strength
comes to your
you do not understand a woman!,
cried she. between sobs. go away and
leave me-leave me alone!"
What the fiend I should do now I
could not guess, till 7 bethought me Of
a pocket flask Of brandy in the saddle,
and, laying her quietly by the road
side, I was there and back in a
moment and had forced her to take a
swallow Or. two. After that, without
more ado, I threw the reins of the two
horses over one arm, and, picking her
UP, started down the road for the viii
lage, just as the first signs of dawn APP
peared over the hills.
4 ha.--F.- /Ts.~+;~,,a E- a...