Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1906-06-28

b LrLL1As CAMPBELL DAVIDSON


me drive you Dack 10 FOTISIHOuLu.
have not had a chance to speak to you
all this day long without other people
overhearing. I must get chance be-
fore it is too late"
A little surprised, but nothing 10th,
after all, to drive back instead of rid
ing, with the prospect of a hard ball
to end. the day, he gave in. He mo-
toned to his groom, who was bringing
up the horse, and said few words to
him; then he opened the door Of the
carriage and stepped in. They drove
on rapidly to try and get out of the
narrow gate before the crush blocked
it; but, after all, they had to wait. A
mob of wheels filled with gay and hi
lairous people, a crowd of cyclists, a
horde of people on foot, strove to
gether for the exit, and it required
careful driving to steer among the
hubbub.
Down the road where the hedges
We're showing green and the buds were
bursting, cottage children had taken
their stand with punches of wild flow
!gers. They were to fling into the car
/ mage and the pence would be flung by
1.-THE carriage people in exchange for
for them; little farther on the home
ward way the nosegays would be flung
from one carriage to another, and a
battle of flowers would begin. Countess
Ilka had made her own dainty prepare
ton for the combat by bringing choice
nj hn,, 10 M HNr Lo
was not content to fling blue-bells and
prifnroses, dusty and dropping and bat
tered by their repeated excursions
from carriage to carriage; hers were
violets and white lilac, and forced daft
fodils, and the like. Everything about
Countess Ilka was dainty and fresh
and luxurious. Winstanley thought SO
now, as he bent forward to listen to
her low, clear voice, and caught the
faint, sweet breath of that violet per
fume which she always carried with
her asa mere suggestion
They were out on the high road now
making their way through the stream
of traffic, and people were trying to
pass, and greeting the obstruction OF
their carriage with shouts of merri
ment. All the garrison greeted Capt
Winstanley as it .overtook and tried to
slip past the landau. Half the male
part of 1T bowed and smiled to Count
ess Ilka
You want me to do something for
you?" It was Winstanley who said it
bending forward to let his words reach
her without becoming shout In this
whirl Of dust and noise and hilarity
there seemed an incongruity in conf
dence, vet she had said she had some
thing to say that he alone was to hear
"Yes-if can be sure you will dc
It'll" The appeal, the pathetic question
in Countess Ilka's soft eyes, claimed
an answer of reinsurance from his
II don't know, now that 1 have made
you come, whether have not been
mistaken. wonder If you will do ii
| for me?''
Surely needn't tell you how glad
I shall be to do anything in my power
You have only to give me the chance
What is this weighty matter? Do you
want tickets for the launch on Mon.
day. or has your house agent been
troubling you again?"
A flush crossed Countess Ilka's love
ly face. It was half assumed vegation
half the excitement of her task. She
looked down as II Disconnected, and
played with the tassel of her silk para,
SOL ''rt Is nothing like that" she said
You make me ashamed to tell you
| when you think Of such silly, trivial
things"
No. tell me; I will do all possibly
cam
You promise? All, perhaps ought
not to ask you" Her voice had sunk
till he could barely catch it above the
rattle of wheels or the jocular chorus
OF the suhalterns on the coach of the
| regiment that was stationed at the
| Victoria barracks. He had to bend his
head still nearer to her own.
Ask me what you choose. will dc
| 1t IL am able"
You will? You really will2 All
then am secure, for you will never GO
isback from your word. You are an Eng
lishman and gentleman know
that means the same as II any other
man sworu IT." The triumph, the ex
;iltation In her manner made him looh
at her surprised.
Il hope q mans word anywhere is
enough" he said, little gravely. He
was toe; English lat any rate, to like
effusion unnecessarily It was great
fuss to make about the merest trife
but Countess Hla seemed to find
amusement In 1t. He listened patient
" TO hear what he was expected to- dc
for her. @ 4
Well, you haven't given me my or
IIders vet, She glanced round over her
Shoulder with swift, sharp glance. 4
No; i did not think we should be
driving home with the whole Of the
town and neigh orhood can't tell
you here; ii ID too private; give me a
chance ia speak I'd you tonight al the
ball
The gift Will be yours, !" said win.
STANLEY with easy good nature, II II
carries Will 1t q waltz or two. shall
feel must do any deed of knight or
Iranty "a deserve such q favor, for j
know hS3W much In demand yoni