Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1903-01-15

but stand still, longing lot 0er usual
composure.
81 know I have been such a care to
you," he began. looking at her with a
gaze that perhaps he would not have
allowed had he known that there was
more than love and thankfulness In it.
You don't disclaim that have been a
care to you?" he said. smiling Slightly.
mo; but you must be aware that We
are glad to have been OF service to
YOU" she said. in reply. speaking some
what colder than she knew.
The cool tones irritated her into
speaking somewhat warmer than he
had intended to do.
You have endured me well-you
have been more kind than could pos
sibly have expected. and thank you
for it," he continued. hurriedly. But
after all that have suffered. Miss Pur:
cell. cannot regret y single pain
for the accident and the illness were
the means of my knowing YOU"
He seemed not able to let so his
hold upon her hand: he had spoken
with an earnestness that appeared to
have conquered all his previous reso-
lutions.
What could she say? Was he mere
ly complimenting her III the eXtlNva-
giant manner of society? She knew so
little of society. But she knew that
had she been Laura Iauriat. and
heard his tone and words. seen the
look in his eyes. she should have trem-
bled for her empire over him.
Moved though she was. the sterling
uprishtness of her character sustained
her in temptation which was perhaps
the greatest of her life 1t was the
temptation to yield. at least inwardly.
to the tenderness and passion of his
voice But she took his words and
manner TO be merely an inordinate
gratitude.
You have no call to be so crate
ful Mr.. Rothesay." she said. now sue
ceedins in withdrawing her hand.
1t is not a Aasteriug thing to say. but
trust We should have done the same
by any stranger who had been un-
fortunate like you.
AS he listened TO laer-and her tones
were almost icy. so much repression
had she put upon herself-his face
faded from its warm expression into
one Of such bitter disappointment that
il pierced like q knife into the girls
heart. But she did not soften: she
was afraid OF herself if she relaxed her
hold over herself even So much as by
a hairs breadth
You and Your father have been
Very kind" he repeated in & set voice.
and | shsll never forget it, I hope
| shall nor rrespass upon your kind
ness much longer. l had thought that
tomorrow l might be able to leave
but. he sighed YEARLY. Il fear that
overestimaJeG my strength. l shall be
obliged 10 remain YET day longer"
Yes. il will be safer. You will gain
nothing by TOO great. haste" she re-
Piled.
She was longing to get away by her
sell, buv just then 4 neighbor came
and sat down for long gossip. and
rhe girl was Obliged TO endure it. and
il took a strength and resolution OF
which she did Tot know herself cap
able.
AT last she was free. and she fed out
OF doors. walking down the beach Un-il
she came TO q sheltered corner OF rock.
whe. she threw herself down on the
sands with Al expression so suggestive
OF despair as 10 ba stronger than any
words couli have been.
Sire loved Vance Rothesay. She
could 10 longer deny it 70 herself. His
voice ard eyes had stirred the Geepss-
depths OF he: heart. She loved him.
and loved to2elessly -cHost hopeiess!.s-.
She SET with her white face turned
coward tie ssa. her eyes fearless. lock
:ns. ;;csssiasiy forward. The one
thought shat repeated itself. again AMI
..ss..i-, II her mind was the one shaped
i. these words
He couli have loved NE if he were
Only free.
Il vas . though, Tar more dangerous
- ier pesce OF mind than il she had
ts,l assured rha- he could never have
le.. more than in friendly way
Pride wou.d have aided her then: now
tie look into her future was 5s=eary.
Indeed: II seemed to her that she
could rot face it.
From the 6rsr moment of her seeing
Vance Ro.hesay he had been to her
ike the hero OF those very vague
dreams thar come to almost every girl:
and SIZE struggled with that feeling I'M
til. az times. she imagined she had
conquered. II.
Ii he had gone away without MOTTO
ing her. SIC Knew that she could soon
er have conquered a peace with her
self: bur ROW In vain. she told her
self that MS tone and glance might
mean nothing but moments feeling
that he would instantly forget.
1t was not conceit or self-love that
told her he had felt as deeply as he
seemed TO do. she could read his
heart. and she read there what made
him love her still more deeply and
what enhanced her despair.
She saw herself going down the path
OF life alone. always with tina, one love
in her heart. She Ionged for him to
go: and she looked upon his departure
as the shutting out OF the light Of her
life
Time few on relentlessiy as she sat
there. struggling to attune herself to
ST least decent bearing Of the fate
laid upon her.
She knew that she must go back 70
the house; that she must prepare the
dinner: that she must SO school her