The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1903-08-13
CHAPTER XVIII.
MarlCs Discovery.

In the sad-eyed woman who smiled
greeting to the girl entering her room.
"F1orencev Avice exclaimed, spring
ing to her side, you have been Ill
again, and have not sent for me-"
"No, dear, not very ill-not III
enough as to be so selfish as to take
you away from your busy preparations
to bring you here. You think of me
too much, Avice Oh, darling, let no
cloud mar your happiness while 1t
lasts"
Don't, F1orence-don'ti | wonder
what right / have to happiness when
God has given me so much and sent
you such misery? Think! All my
life have never known a care, sor.
row, except when poor papa died, and
land the sorrow that has come to
you. Florence, will you not see TRAY.
is? He is so wretched."
81 cannot, dare not! This fate
which keeps us apart seems so terri
BILE that (Avice, do not shrink away
from me. DEAR sometimes feel as If
must brave all the world and fly to
him-that | care not where we go, so
that / can feel his arm about me, and
his lips once more pressed to mine.
1t is all nightmare to me, and yet
all so plain. can recall every little
word during our engagement, which
could not then understand, but which
now is written in fire before my eyes.
The moment that woman spoke !
knew il was true, all true; and as the
sudden darkness came over me l
wished, even as l swooned, that
might never waken from 1t. Now,
each moment, each hour, I live again
that scene, until | feel as II I should
go mad. Sometimes | wonder, Avice,
why l was not In your place on that
day when Milton Lennox saved your
life; why my horse could not at any
time. without guiding, saving hand.
have borne me to destruction and
dashed out my helpless misery against
the stonesi"
The words had burst from her Quiv.
ering lips, but now gave place to
choking sobs.
Florence, darling, be calm. God
will yet send way out of all this mis-
cry Every night I can hear Travis
pacing up and down his room, no mat
ter at what hour may awaken, until
1t seems selfish In me to sleep while
he Is thus tortured Oh, Florence,
what have you both done that you
should deserve this bitter punish.
ment?"
He who has sent It knows, perhaps.
But now, Avice, you can understand
why dare not meet Travis. He must
have strength for both of us. But tell
me something of yourself"
what can tell you, save that II is
more like preparing for funeral than
a wedding? I do not know that any
thing would have been in readiness
but for the treasure have secured in
! my new maid She wears glasses and
the ugliest cap you can imagine, so
that her personal appearance is far
from prepossessing, but she is won.
derful hesitated at first about taxi
ing her, as the lady who had last EN-.
ployed her was not in town; but her
recommendations we're so excellent
and she seemed so anxious to come
that determined to try her, and have
done nothing but congratulate myself
J ever since"
How glad ami And you will not
change your mind about the we'd
: ding?"
mo, think not Travis seems al
} most as anxious as Milton that II
should take place. Poor fellowl No
doubt he fears in some way his trou,
} BILE may extend to me. II Is scarcely
worthy, however, to be called a wed
ding, since no one is to be present.
/ shall not even wear white"
Florence shuddered, remembering
} I'her own wedding dress, laid away for.
ever.
Quick tears of sympathy started to
! Avice's eyes.
, "You see, dear" she continued, "tc
talk of myself is ever to drag open
D your wounds Besides, take nc
: pleasure in any of 1t, save that Milton
| loves me and him. Yet his love for
me cannot understand. am such a
, child and he is so grand, so true, SO
, noble! miss him so sadly!"
Miss him."
. Yes. Did you not know he is away?
I, Some business called him to Liverpool
/. but I expect him back in a few days
now, and am trying to learn my frs,
! lesson in patience. He said It was
!. the last time we should be parted,
/. she added with blush.
I God grant it," exclaimed Miss St
; John, solemnly.
1 Or. Hayes is so often at the house
' now" Avice continued. do you
|, know, Florence" speaking In a mys
a ferrous whisper. shat II he were not
E such dear and old friend Of Millions
= should think he was in love with
me?"
a The ingenious confession brought a
s smile to her listeners lips.
/ And II so, what then? Do you
J think Milton would be jealous?"
81 cannot imagine Milton jealous"
But do you like this mani"
4 "He fascinates and yet repels me
cannot understand him. butt shall
be very glad when Milton comes
: home"
= And "a she smoke she sighed.