The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1903-06-11
She wore . ares. Of white ssrk, her

She wore a dress of white ssfk, her
neck and arms bare, the brilliant gems
flashing upon their dazzling whiteness
fit ornaments to their faultess out
lines; her hands were laden with the
fragrant flowers she had stopped to
gather, many of whose sisters still lay
about her feet.
The footlights shed their fullest rays
upon the lovely face, but no rouge was
needed on the rounded cheeks, or the
ripe, red lips, half parted In brilliant
smile, as the wonderful eyes swept
the house. then for one instant flashed
into the box, for one instant burned
their way into Travis Meredith's soul.
Then the fringed lashes curled up
ward on the rose-tinted cheeks, there
was a momentary silken rustic, and
only the fallen flowers marked the
place where she had stood.
And this was Barbara Breton!
Could time or eternity give him back
the half hour he had spent IN the re-
cesses of the box, when her peerless
beauty was before him?
"Well, sir, what have you to say
now? Is my wager won? broke In
Lennox's hearty tones, as hand fell
Familiarity upon his shoulder.
Travis looked up. A bright flush
had replaced the pallor upon MS
cheeks; mis- eyes we're radiant with ex-
element; his lip Quivered with the
fullness of his feeling.
Help me to lose it, Lennox," he an
swered, "and l will! repay 1t tenfoid.
II is sacrilege for that woman to re-
ceiye even mems HOMAGE shaft for
women's envy. How more than beau
tiful she isl"
He spoke with boys earnestness,
unheeding OF the young surgeons dark
eyes fixed upon his face, with look
Of scorn which verged closely upon the
stronger feeling-Eate.
It was a dark, sinister look-a look
which might have warned one not TO
cross this mans path. But on Milton
Lennox's brow there swept another ex-
pression-a troubled, anxious look,
mingled with the kindly glance he
tent on the impetuous speaker.
Don't be too hard hit, youngster!
I'd almost call the bet off to undo my
share in this nights work. AS told
you before, it's a burnt child that
breads the fire, and full we'll Barbara
Breton knows how to feed the flames.
I should be sorry, Travis, to see you
really scorched."
But for once Lennox received no
answer. OF this woman, whom he had
seen but one feeting moment-whose
eyes had met his but once only
Travis could not even speak TO his
friend of years. It seemed desecTa'
ton to as much as mention her name;
and vet men breathed 1t lightly on
their lips-discussed 1t as though 1t
were their right.
Meantime, in all her radient lowell
ness. Barbara Breton had resigned
herself to the hands of her maid.
HAS he come, madam? the maid
asked, respectfully, as, with sklllfui
fingers, she made the necessary
changes In her mistress toilette.
eyes, he has come" Barbara an.
swered abruptly, the little sHppered
foot impatiently beating time on the
carpeted floor. There is a stranger
with him-a handsome boy"
another conquest for madam"
"Hush. Marie! Nonsense! Who gave
YOU permission to discuss my con.
quests?"
MADAM sometimes finds 1t neces-
sary for Marie to serve her." replied
the French girl, giving a stealth-like
glance into the mirror at the exquisite
face its depths discovered-a face
which, thus closely scanned, surpassed
any effort st art.
Madam-always madam!" inter-
rupted the beautiful woman. "One
would suppose me married, Marie, TO
hear so dignifed a title"
at is our custom in France, when
ladies are of an uncertain age. Madam
must excuse Marie"
But ere the last word had passed
her lips swift blow from the ivory
handled brush, held in the white, per.
fectly nodded hand, had answered her.
ITO Be Continued.)