The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1905-03-31
CHAPTER XNXIN


in town, but not to the house or to the
district which was fraught with such
terrible associations and memories tol
her for Quinton QuaVe, having vol
unteered to find her a new dwelling,
he had by lucky chance found quaint.
delightful house in kenSington to let.
which he had Immediately taken for
her.
And here, in this house, which well
coined her by its brightness, its air
of old fashioned solidity, its promise
of comfort, she met George Bostocli
for the first time since his accident.
AS he entered the room where she
awaited him, she arose ncrVously, and
advanced with outstretched hands. her
eyes meeting his, her heart too fun for
utterance of what she felt
For some seconds she could only look
at him in silence, noticing that his fig
ure was thinner than before, that Il
scar marked the right temple. that his
cheeks We're more hollow, but his large
gray eyes under their heavy arched
brows We're not less luminous and We're
now filled with purpose deeper, and
With a light of hope they had not pre-
viously known.
He was telling her in voice he
stroVe to steady and command, how
glad he was they had met again after
what seemed century, because of
all the darkness it had held for both,
when she suddenly interrupted him,
for she could keep no longer silent.
How can l thank you? What words
of mine can tell you how feel for
what you would have done. for the
sacrifice you would have made for
me-
1t was now his turn to remain mute,
but only for Il second; the opportunity
he desired was given him, and he
rapidly replied:
Give me, if you can, your love; it is
the one thing l have hoped for and de-
sired.
Very calmly, her eyes still seeking
his, she said:
1T is yours already"
Mime" he exclaimed in delight, and
he took her in his arms as if he would
snatch her from all further pain and
shelter her from care.
While the short afternoon of that
spring day died, they two emptied their
hearts. He told her what he believed
she neither knew nor suspected, how
from the first day he saw her Il fresh
interest had come into his lonely life,
and out of this interest had sprung
a love that was to him as a revela-
ton; told her of the pride he had. felt
in her success, of the happiness he had
found in her friendship, of the grief
he had known because he was unable
to claim her as his own.
She listened with wondering delight
her long face with its Irregular feat
ures frightened, until despite the gray
Strcated hair loosely maSsed above the
broad intellectual forehead, she as
sumed an air of youth that seemed tC
take ten years from her age. And Their
in turn she told him how dear his
friendship had been to her. how well
come his presence, but that no thought
of love had dawned upon her until the
fi,,t dow Of nr Ifjn VIII 1,,
ing come to see her had professed his
faith in her innocence before hearing
her story. And then anxious to spare
the dead as much as possible, While
eager the living should learn the truth
she spoke of the evening Nalerius hat
called to tell her that he, George Bos-
took, had confessed, and how she would
not credit his self accusation, but haC
guessed Alright the cause for which he
wished to sacrifice his good name.
And so understanding, loving ant
confiding in each other, they. with
solid foundations for happiness, begar
a new life, brighter than either OF haC
versary of her husbands death haC
passed, would she consent to marry
again, George Bostock respecting hel
wishes, but the days which came be-
tween We're full of contentment fol
both.
The powers, which, during the crisis
of her life she feared had failed hel
forever. awoke fertile as before, ant
| strengthened under the impetus which
| her nature received through love
| And therefore, setting to work one,
more. she produced a novel. deeper il
! its analysis of feeling, fresher in its
| emotional force, and wider in It's
| sphere of thoughts than she had pre-.
| viously written. Moreover work which
had formerly seemed drudgery now
became delight each chapter thai
| passed from her pen was read alouC
| by her to the man on whose judgment
| she relied, in whose criticism she fount
| help, whose appreciation she valued
most. And this book being published
gained her a higher place in the literary
world. greater popularity than she
| had previously attained, the realization
| Of which brought her proud salts
faction; for such excellency as the
story could boast of was due, she toG
her future husband, to the impetus he
had given to her mind.
Its merit is solely due to yourself
dear" he answered, smiling at her.
ITO myself 1t may be in the first in.
stance she replied. But you know
| we are all so open to influence. es.
| pecially people with temperaments like
mine. Don't you know there are those
who have the effect Of paralyzing ant
l s
hours conversation, and those who
stimulate the mind and give you men.
tai strength, just as there are modern
vampires, who, without conscious eff.
fort of theirs. seem to drain you of al
| physical force
so have heard" answered George
| Bostock but my nature is too tough
suppose to experience such things
1T Is so strong, so calm, so profound
that it helps others, though you may
not know or feel it: it certainly helps
me, I'm sure it does"
| II am afraid, Olive, you will make
me conceited," he said with mock gray.
ity.
THAT would be beyond my ability
But want to make you happy: to re.
pay you for all you have done and al
you would have done for my sake"
Dearest, you have repaid me thou.
sand times over by your love. Nc
pain, no sacrifice we may endure o:
make is ever lost; its reward is stored
up for US. Do you think you or l couC
feel such joy today if we had moi
known such sorrow yesterday"
Perhaps not" she said, a thoughtful
look coming into her eyes. Our sor-
row, it was bitter while 1t lasted. ant
almost. drove me to despair; but
would bear it again, if through ne
other means I could reach the happi.
ness that fills and surrounds me to-
day"
Not for today alone, Olive" he re.
piled, nor for this. life alone, but fol
all time shall our happiness sur.