The Aberdeen Democrat. (Aberdeen, South Dakota) 1???-1909, 1905-04-21

grinding brakes. Some people came in
a %headlong rush from the front cars,
ana Il woman's scream rang out shrilly
above all. He had just stopped be-
sue dladys' seat to speak with her,
ana she was laughing up ut him when
the collision came. 1t was over in an
instant. All he knew was the vivid
sense of her arms clinging AROUND his
neck as he caught her up out of the
seat and their lips had met for the
nrst time with death three car lengths
away.
he had left Rosemead that night.
II was all he could do. He thought
she would understand. If not, there
was no danger but Mrs. Wilmington
would enlighten her.
The M%anchuria business had hean an
opening held out by the old Darby
thornton for some time. 1t was a
chance to make good by going out there
ana clearing up the old boys mercan-
tlle interests before the wal broke out.
tie mad stuck to it and made good. and
the reward had come most uneypected.
~ when said old boy had taken a no.
uoh TO die comfortably and opportune-
~ and leave his accumulated posses
SONS to the prodigal in the far land.
lhere had been no thought during the
year OF work but Of Gladys. He had
left on the first boat for home to claim
the promise Of the tunnel kiss and had
round instead Estevan, a warranted
imported antique, tall, suave and
slightly gray. with an eye out for
ready money.
The thought Of it all made him des-
perate tonight. He put her from him
almost roughly. In three weeks she
would be the Countess Estevan, chate-
laine of some dinky little old castel-
lated ruiz in Austria. He was sorry
that he had tried to see her, sorry he
mad come back, sorry he had made
Culverton change places with him.
You had better stop crying" he said.
Wei be there in a few minutes. Es-
tevan might not like it,"
She smiled back at him. her eyes
bright with tears.
S YOU try to brighten the bad little
girl into good behavior? Well, she
doesn't scare worth a cent, Darby.
Your bogy man is such a fragile, prop
er, tissue paper bogy man that the
bad little girl has decided he isn't
worth being afraid Of"
What do you mean"
Cant you guess? You expect others
to be so good at guessing, you know.
You expect to kiss a girl and go away
to Manchuria-or was it the moon
and then come back and find love in
her eyes. What was it? Like this?"
She was laughing at him. He felt
angry and obstinate.
"Can you say that you never loved
me-"
NO, | cannot" Her eyes met his with
calm, defensive candor. "Of cours
I loved you. Do you think l would
have kissed you that day If l had not?
And you are right about the other too
l shall always love you"
He bent toward her with keen, half
shut eyes.
And yet in three weeks you will he
his wife"
mo, l won't. Do you think l could
after tonight? l shall break the en-
gagement tonight. You have accom-
p.ished that at least. Now, take the
first boat back to Manchuria.'
He smiled slowly and happily. She
had not heard yet Of the accumulated
possessions. I
We've turned out of the park" he
said. II don't want to go to the house
and face a crowd. Gladys, look at me.
No, straight in the eyes, please! Try to
think quickly. I've come all the way
around the world to see you. I've al
ways wanted you, you know that. 1
was afraid before, and l ran away like
a coward and didn't even give you the
chance to refuse me. Will you refuse
me now
LAS if it made any d~iference?" Her
eyes We're clear and true and some
what indignant. IF I have enough
money to satisfy ven Aunt Victoria
and her little count, isn't there enough
for you? If you go back there
"What?"
II shall give away all the money and
come after you|"
"Come, now"
Her lips We're half parted, her eyes
wistful and troubled.
1T will be easy to come back and
break the engagement then. You will
only have to present your husband"
"If dared
He tapped Oh the glass slide and
gave an order to the driver, and they
turned back down the venue just as
the bells We're Ginning midnight.
Ready For AN Emergency.
rla Lowe Io f,.ol u,nrnor. from Nnw