Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1905-11-09

4 IilS llme was just DsSlHulHS lHStedu VI
ending.
so do l." she agreed in a low
voice.
you do? Then" He checked
himself, adding, moment later:
Don't let us keep to the road. Shall
! we walk home through the wood?"
A murmured acquiescence sufflced
The darkness of the evening was in
tensified in the wood.
4 II say, Audrey, you had better take
care how you walk. Won't you take
my hand?" he suggested.
Il think had BETTER" she respond
ed cheerfully.
so do T. he said, with sudden en-
ergy, as he clasped the outstretched
| hand.
Just for moment the foreshadow
ment Of his coming words held them
both silent. Reggie's thoughts were
/. rushing ahead. What would her an
swer be to the question which was
trembling on his lips? Had the right
moment really come to ask it? TIC
risk his lifes happiness seemed ter,
rible hazardous proceeding! Had he
really the courage to do ito. But, as
4 he hesitated, the hand resting in his
! frightened its grasp little. The sweet
| ness of that clinging action dispelled
| all latent hesitation. The next moment
he had thrown his skates down and
! had taken her other hand in his.
Darling Audrey" he began quickly,
i
the only girl I have ever loved, and
now that Guy has put me all right
4 financially I'm longing to ask you to be
my wife
He was leaning down now, and his
face was perilously near hers.
"Then--then-why don't you ask
me?' she whispered, smiling.
But he didn't. He kissed her, again
/ and again.
1 II have been in love with you for
/ two years. he mentioned, by way of
4 explanation for those kisses
\ And is that why you have flirted
with SO many girls during the timer"
But did not like to ask you to mar
/ ry me when you were the heiress to
| Carlton Park and was pauper.
4 Well be married soon, won't we darI-
ing? would not like long engage
ment."
Nor should l." she concurred, hap
PLY.
Next week will see me vigorously
house hunting" he remarked, speaking
most contentedly. II should like to
l. ;,y. G. u,
Campden Hill houses, overlooking Hol-
| land Park Guy will be very pleased
! to hear that we are engaged. He likes
you"
And Like him.
! He is a ripping good chap, is Guy.
BysJove! ! wish he had only been as
fortunate as | am in winning the girl
/ he loved. One kiss more. darling
That one was in the plural number.
Then, slowly, they sauntered on. To
hasten was far from their desires.
Fully a hundred yards they must have
gone when Guy suddenly discovered
that he had lost his skates. 81
wonder where / left them?" he
said, slowly, and in a voice of self-in-
terrogation, adding quickly, ooh, re-
member! I'll run back for them. /
shall not be a moment.
Il would rather come with you,"
said Audrey.
Come, them" He was glad to hear
her say 1t, for he loved to have her
at his side.
1T must be somewhere near here
where | dropped them, 2 he said
thoughtfully, after they had gone a
little distance. "I'll strike match
and look around
The match was Immediately blown
out by the wind; then another was
struck. Meanwhile he was pushing the
snow aside wit his feet, hoping to come
in contact with something having a
metallic sound.
II think I have found them Z he said
at last, STOPPING down.
But he had not found the skates.
The object possessing a metallic ring
4 was an open penknife.
Heaven! T have -s 4 he began,
then abruptly stopped speaking.
Quickly turning his back on Audrey
/ he closed the penknife and thrust it
into his pocket.
BY the light Of the match he had
seen that the penknife was covered
with blood, n
Oh. i have found your skates. Guy
exclaimed Audrey at this moment.
Chats right: thanks, awfully!!n he
answered, comp lling himself to speak
III his usual tone. ss3 ss
st.We'll walk back to Carlton Park
now x. sS
But the tenderness In his voice was
gone He spoke concisely Audrey no
lsticed Il. IN
What has happened n she asked IN
la Wond ering e Sle. as q sud den forebod
Iink " evil rushed into her mind.
Intuttivsiy Me read her thoughts.
Nothing Of CONSEQUENCE darling, \
he reclaimed, putting his hand on her
| should Ter. Only that III we stand about
t any longer III the snow you win catch
cold, and I should blame myself great
/ vi ~ that were to happen. Ri
And It's beginning to snow. I'm
afraid We ara Ia Tor y blizzard. We
must huTr 10 would BE aasy to lose