The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1903-08-06

1 nNNANAa ~ "oS NAI at vi a bultAAEg
who can lay the blame at no other
mans door Do not add to my misery
by any self-reproach. You have been
| the best, the truest friend man ever
had; but can you wonder that smile
has forgotten me? Am | not ever
| haunted by the mute, reproachful look
on Florences white face, as she
opened her eyes with that questioning
look of anguish in their depths, and I
could only bow my head in silent
agony? Had I but been a man to
have confessed to her the boys mad
folly. could have better borne It; but
she trusted In me so fully, and de-
| ceived her! II seems to me as though
her dead mothers spirit must rise
from its unquiet grave to haunt the
despoiler of her happiness!"
Bitter, heartrending though the
tones were, they were spoken In tone
so calm, so impassive, that the man
uttering them seemed too hopeless for
even such suffering to arouse him
from his very torpor Of despair.
"Avice has at last promised to
shorten the term of my porbation
Travis" Milton continued, hoping to
| change the current of his thoughts.
Next month we are to be quietly mar
ried in the little English chapel; then
we are TO have few weeks travel in
Switzerland. She says only one thing
is necessary to make her as happy as
she can be. knowing Of your unhappi.
ness, and that is that you shall join
us"
1T is impossible" Travis answered,
hoarsely 81 must be near Florence,
though the world forbids that / shall
see her. Were it not for this, | would
not remain in Paris one single hour,
| nor breathe the same air with Bar
bara. saw her to-day. She rode past
my windows in her carriage, my crest
painted upon its doors. You have
seen the house in which she has in.
stalled herself?"
Eyes. 1t is superb, and with its ac-
cessories would, | think, drain even
your prlncely income"
LET 1t do so. | care not. | would
pour 1t all at my feet to buy back one
hour Of my freedom. Let her, like the
leech, cry more, more, until she drains
my life-blood! My income is placed
at my bankers. She may draw what
| she will"
Come, youngster," the old. familiar
term OF endearment unconsciously
falling from his lips, you are growing
morbid here alone. Get your hiatt
want your advice upon a purchase l
am about to make.
Travis arose, and, arm linked in
arm, the two men gained the street,
when, from behind a massive pillar
where she had lain in concealment, a
woman's figure darted after them.
1t was Marie, though the thick veil
she wore concealed her features.
He is not alone!" she muttered.
IL will wait another time! All, Fe.
line!" she exclaimed, as her fellow
servant came quickly toward her.
you, too, are on the watch? By
madam's order, presumed"
A shade of embarrassment crossed
the mans face, which the woman's
| eyes were quick TO note.
"Ah!" she added, mercilessly; "then
on your own. You were your own spy
this time, and of me? Jealous again,
my friend? Fie on you! Fie on you!"
at is your own fault" he answered,
doggedly. "You promise to marry me,
/ but you give to others your smiles, to
me your frowns. grow mad, wretch
ed, despairing. Madame's generosity
will enable me to open the little tav-
ern, where we might be as happy as
birds. yet will you drudge On in her
service, though know you do not love
her"
perhaps not" answered the
Frenchwcman, "but that is our secret.
my Feline. We both adore her! Is
It not so? Have yet little longer pa.
| tience, and Marie will be your wife.
Meantime I must hasten to madame
and leave you to dream Of the little
inn where we shall be happy as birds,
billing and cooling. Is not that what
all good birds do? Adieui Au re-
voir!"
And, with kiss of her hand and a
light laugh, she darted ahead of him
into the house, which they had
reached. and up the stairs into her
own room.
Fool" she muttered. Birds In
deed! | can barely tolerate him, but
that | must use him. My heart" clasp
ing her hands across her breast, ais in
my Pierre's grave. But let him dream
on his dream yet a little longer, until
wrench from him the secret which |
know he holds with such logged obsti-
macy"
A tinkling bell aroused her. It was
her summons TO madame. Again that
swift look of hate crossed her features
as she hastily obeyed it, though, as she
reached the threshold OF the boudoir.
the specious air of servility which she
assumed hid 1t as by a mask.
Barbara sat before her dressing IA.
BILE, laden with every elegant and cost
~ article for the toilet
you saw him, Marle?" she inquired.
languidly.
Yes, madame. He visited Mr.. Mer.
edith in his rooms and they went out
together"
! "Ah! My head aches slightly. Brush
out my hair-it may relieve it"
I Silently the maid obeyed. Unfas.
! taning the comb rho suparh ho1r toIt