The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1907-11-29
1t was more of a. command than al
Invitation. and she yielded to it re

"ho WaANil6 Jou, lie Sdlu
calmly. II don't think you quite real
ize yet that l am in earnest"
To be in earnest would be in
famous"
N indeed: not to be IN earnest
would be infamous. I'm paying you
or paying any onan l ask you to be
my Wife"
why keep up tina mockery?" she
demanded scornfully.
1T is not a mockery. The past is
ut is not dead; you have brought
1t to life. 1t is becoming intolerable."
Il know 1t: therefore l offer to make
1t tolerable. I have no wish to perse-
cute anyone"
Then why do you?"
"Necessity-"
oh. nonsense!"
Listen" he said, with sudden in
tensity leaning toward her and look
Ing in her eyes IF l can prove to you
that the past is really dead-dead past
recall-dead past hope OF resurrection
will YOU marry NEE"
She looked at him without shrink
ing.
MOI" she answered.
II see What 1T is" he said between
his teeth; lit is not that 1 do not awak-
! can see tive We're set apart for
each other 1t Is not that you do not
long to break through this silly Eng
lish cage which has always hedged YOU
about remember that you are really
Erench IN every drop Of your blood.
IT Is this pink-and-white n%onentity
who stands between us. You've fallen
In lovo with his baby face-but it's not
the love OF q woman for a man. it's
the love of a mother for her child. That
other love you as yet know nothing Of
1t shall be my part to teach it
YIN Am rr~0ot r{c~s~
and 1 shall enjoy the fruits of it.
Deep in your heart you know that the
pale feeling you have for this boy is
not loVe-not strong, passionate, ma
ture love--the love that seizes and
conquers. that takes one through heav-
en- and through hell. Not many women
are capable of such a love-they're too
cold, too selfish. But you're capable
OF 1T. and when 1t ONE to you, as 1
swear 1T shall come. you'll not stop to
question no past: you'll look only
toward he uture-you'n not stop to
ask what the world thinks: you'll heed
only the lonSings of your own heart,
She a sat spell-bound, gazing at
him. chained by the sound of his voice.
by his vehemence. She reused her
self with an effort.
IF l should love-" she said. 81 should
at least choose a gentleman"
He interrupted with a dry laugh.
There spoke tho Philistine-the
English variety! Your heart wasn't
IN 1t; Let Inc tell you that you
would be only the mar you love. And
nave you chosen a gentleman? Does
a gentleman listen at the turn of the
stairs to a conversation not intended
for him He did listen; he odd you
OF ms doubts OF you. What
conditions, to demand explanations?
Explanations from Il woman like you!"
HI has a right
has, no right-he's a begear at
your table! If he can't hold you, it's
his fault, no yours. And he can't hold
could hold you!"
.I~es-perhars even beat me-"
He looked at her. his eyes agleam.
Perhaps" he agreed. his mouth
working with eagerness. Perhaps /
o But Il did. o would stab
He was weaving the spell about her
again.; she gazed at him. half fasci-
mated.
Yes" she said intensely; "yes-1
should like to do 1t now!"
His eyes flashed with sudden
And yet o thin; yourself in love
with Drysdale!" he cried. Did he
ever awaken a wish like that in you?"
No; thank God!" and she shivered
slightly.
He was radiant, assured.
Nor any other feeling EXCEPT a babv
liking! Yet you yield to his fancied
right; you promise to explain to himI
1t was to do that you came here to-
night
Who told you that?"
He did"
Then why isn't he hereo"
III preferred to commune with ma
ture,. Tremaine answered, in an in
describable tone Think OF any man
preferring nature to you-preferring
anything to you-life, honorary
thing! Do you know what I'm long
ing to do? Ia longing to take you
in my arms and hold you fast and kiss
you on those red lips Of yours-kiss
He was half out OF his chair, lean
Ing over her. Another instant-but his
ears nz,c caught the 1op,ening Of a door.
other tone. rising suddenly. his hands
gripped tensely at his sides. Damn
him!"
She lay back in her chair. relaxed
suddenly. painting with exhaustion.
60" he added hoarsely. II can't
besides I have some letters to write.
Goodnight"
For an hour or more, Delroy sat
alone before the fire reading. At last
ne yawned. laid Town his book, arose,
and walked to the door. The wind was
rising; he could hear 1t roaring In the
trees: n every minute a broad flash
of lightning illumined the clouds on the
horizon.
There's a storm coming" he said to
Thomas. who was nodding at his post.
II wonder where the devil Drysdale
went? lIe'd1better be getting in pretty
sOon.''
AS though In answer to the thought,
a dark figure appeared suddenly OF
the walk. strobe up the steps,. and
opened the door. 1t was Drysdale.
He tool of his coat. threw it to
Thomas. and went on into the inner
hall. where he stood rubbing his hands
before the fire. with u face so hopeless,
fierce. ~despairing, tina. Delroy was fair
ly startled.
You may go to bed. Thomas" he
said; then he went to Drysdale and
laid q and pon his shoulder. whats
the matter, Jack?" he asked. You're
looking regularly don up"
Drysdale turned with a start.
"Oh. it's you, is it. Dickie? Where is
Grace?"
upstairs with my wife"
Where has she been this evening""
"She's been down here talking with