The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1903-09-24
CHAPTER xxxvl.
Marie's Declaration.

of time, for the life which had been
restored to them hung in the balance,
and but a featherweight would turn
the scale.
There were anxious watchers by
the bedside where the slight form lay,
and her piteous cries for help-her
thrilling appeals to those she thought
had forsaken her-told them the story
of her suffering. Then, too. an awful
doubt was with them-would reason
return with strength? The physicians
gravely shook their heads. While
there was life there was hope. They
would say no more.
But there came a day when tho
dark eyes Enclosed and rested frst
on one then on another of the dear
faces. about her bed, with a something
in their glance which told them that
the veil had fallen, the mists had
cleared-the brain was unclouded.
But, one was absent who had been
the most anxious among the watchers.
They dared not let her see him yet.
She seemed to miss him, for she
closed her eyes without word, and
a tear stole down her cheek.
"Florence"--it was three days later
that Avice tremblingly uttered that
name-"how came | here%
Hush, deari You are not strong
enough yet for questions. Can you
remember nothing?"
mot yet, except-except that nor
rible time when, instead of the con-
vent, | found myself prisoner. On,
Florence. I shall now know how to
feel for the poor creatures who live
in cells. I wonder that did not die.
Sometimes l wish had"
Little by little, as Avice grew
stronger, memory returned. The time
of her madness was blank. All else
grew clear to her, and little by little
the story was unfolded to Travis and
Florence, as they gently drew 1t from
her, even to the day she knelt. by
Barbara's command, by DR.. Hayes
bedside.
In all this time they had not men,
toned to her Milton Lemons name;
but when they had undressed her, to
put her into bed. on the day of her re-
turn, they found The note pressed to
her heart through which DIR. Hayes
had decoyed her from her home.
Into Lennox's eyes had crept a
baneful light when they handed it to
him, that he might read it, and he
felt that, should the writer cross his
path, heaven would this time speed
the bullet to its mark, and that mark
would be the scoundreps false, treach-
erous heart.
"Avice," Travis said one day, when
she was sitting up for the first time,
leaning languidly back in great arm
chair, you have suffered terribly, I
know, but there is one who has suf-
fered even more. Can you not
guess?"
A timid blush overspread the pale
face, which she had hidden between
her trembling hands.
Say no more, Travis. When I am
stronger, dear, I am going into the
convent, to try to find forgetfulness.
All, IL papa had known all, he would
have left me to die on the steps of La
Madeleine. Poor little nameless waif,
What right had to look for happiness
in this great world?"
That is folly, my darling. You are
my little sister, fond and true. Do
you think I will ever yield the claim
Never until can place you in a no.
bier keeping-the heart of man more
true, more loyal, than truth or loyalty
itself! Avice. have you ceased to love
Milton?"
Ceased to love him." she echoed.
would that had! oh, Travis. have
loved him always. AS little GIRL he
was my hero. Did he not once save
my worthless life? But 1t was he,
Travis q have never told YOU'D, who
cast me off. He would not give his
proud name to such as mel"
would he not, my darling? That
is false! Milton Lennox never wrote
the note that villain handed you. Ho
loves you, Avice, as few women are
loved by men. Tell me, may l send
him to your"
Ayice made no answer as Travis
silently left the room; but down her
cheeks tears coursed like rain, and,
as she wept, the weight. which all this
time had rested so heavily upon her
heart, was lifted. and she seemed to
see the bow of promise shining
through her tears.
A step crossed the room. Still she
sobbed on. some one stood beside
her; some one whose quick, hard
breathing she could plainly hear;
some one whose arms stole about her;
some one whose voice whispered one
word only into her ear. But at the
sound her pulses leaped to life; youth
and hope and happiness returned, as,
with one glad. impulsive cry, sine nes-
tied against Milton Lennox's strong
and faithful heart.
my own-my very own!" he whis-
pered. my own little Avicei Look
upi Let me be sure that It is no
dream"
And the sweet, flower face upliftcd
itself in answer, while great tears
tremhled on the long lashes a. dew
1rope in the sunlight