The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1907-11-28

said. Edith Is not at all well and
needs me. Why are you waiting here?"
He pulled a chair close beside her.
Il was waiting for you" he said
calmly. Il dom think you quite real
ize yet that l am in earnest"
ITO be in earnes would be in
famous"
mo indeed; not to be in earnest
would be infamous. I'm paying you
the greatest compliment I'm capable
of paying any woman. l ask you to be
my wife"
demanded scornfully.
1T is not a mockery. The past is
dead"
"It is not dead; you have brought
1t to life. 1t is becoming intolerable."
II know it; therefore i offer to make
1t t~olerable. l have no wish TO perse-
cute anyone"
Then why do YOU"
Necessity"
oh, nonsense!"
Listen" he said, with sudden in
tenstty leaning toward her and look
ing in her eyes, eff i can prove to you
that the past is really dead-dead past
recall-dead past hope of resurrection
viii you marry me-"
She looked at him without shrink
ing.
mo-" she answered.
II see what it is" he said between
his teeth; lit is not that / do not awak-
en- an answering chord in you'll do
/ can see tive were set apart for
each other 1t Is not hat you do not
long to break through this silly Eng
lish cage which has always hedged you
about remember that you are really
French In every drop OF your blood.
1t isaathis pink-and-white nonentity
who stands between us. You've fallen
in love with his baby face-but it's not
the low OF q woman for q man, it's
the love of q mother for her child. That
other love you as yet know nothing OF
1t shall be my part to teach 1t
you-my privilege-my great mission
and / shall enjoy the fruits Of it.
Deep in your heart you know that the
pale feeling you have for this boy is
ture loVe-the love that SeiZes
~conquers, that takes n through heav-
en- and through hell. Not many women
are capable OF such q love-they're too
cold, too selfish. But you're capable
OF 1t, and when 1t comes to you, as. I
swear ii shall come, you'll not stop to
question h past: you'll look only
toward II future-youIl not stop to
ask what he world thinks; you'll heed
only the longings of your w heart"
She had sat spell-bound, gazing at
him. chained by the sound Of his voice.
by his vehemence. She reused her
self with an effort.
III / should love-" she said. 81 should
at least. choose a gentleman-"
He interrupted with a dry laugh.
There spoke the Philistine-the
English variety! Your heart wasn't
in i'll Let me tell you. that you
wouldn't stop to ask what he was-he
would be only the man you love. And
have o chosen a gentleman? Does
N - lH.AAa ~ A. A.
stairs to a conversation not intended
for him? He did listen: he told you
of his ridiculous doubts OF you. What
right has he to doubt you, to make
conditions. to demand explanations?
Explanations from a woman like you'll"
He has a right
HE has no right-he'sa a beggar at
your table! If he can't hold you, it's
his fault. not yours. And he can't hold
you-he's too weak'every way! All, 1
could hold youI"
"Yes-perhaps even beat met"
He looked at her, his eyes agleam.
Perhaps" he agreed, his mouth
working with eagerness. Perhaps I
should. But IL did. you would stab
He was weaving the spell about her
again; she gazed at him, half fasci-
mated.
yes" she said intensely; '.yes--I
should like to do II nowI'
His eyes flashed with sudden
triumph.
And yet you thin: yourself in love
ever awaken a wish like that in your"
NO? thank God!" and she shiVered
slightly.
He was radiant, assured.
Nor any other feeling except a baby
liking! Yet o yield to his fancied
right; you promise to explain to him!
1t was to do that o came here to-
"Who told you that?"
He did"
"Then why isn't he here?"
He preferred to 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? III longing to take you
in my arms and hold you fast and kiss
You on those red lips Of yours-kiss
you, kiss yo1-'
He was half out OF his chair. lean
ing over her. Another instant-but his
ears caught the opening OF q door.
Here comes Delroy," he said In an
other tone, rising suddenly, his hands
gripped tensely at his sides. Damn
him."
She lay back in her chair. relaxed
suddenly. painting with exhaustion.
III CO. he added hoarsely. II can't
keep up the farce of polite conversation
besides I nave some letters to write.
Goodnight"
For an houI or more, Delroy sat
alone before the fire reading. At last
he yawned. laid down his book, arose,
and walked to h door. The wind was
rising; he could hear it roaring In the
trees; and every minute q broad flash
of lightning ilumined the clouds m the
horizon.
There's q storm coming" he said to
Thomas. who was nodding at his post.
Il wonder where the devil Drysdale
went? He'd better be getting I'm 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 took off his coat. threw II to
Thomas, and went on into the inner
hall, where he stood rubbing his hands
before the fire, with Il face SO hopeless,
fierce. despairing, tina: Delroy was fair
ly startled.
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