The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1907-11-14
CHAPTER II.
THE GAUNTLET.

CHAPTER II.
THE GAUNTLET.
Edgemere, was a beautiful estate
overlooking the Great South Bay, just
east OF Babylon. Across the waters of
the bay. the low tunes of Fire Island
were visible with the lighthouse point
ing upward Its white finger OF warning.
To ehst and west low, wooded islets
closed In the horizon. while to the
north,T h tail trees OF a broad stretch
OF woodland looked down upon the
house. A pretty boathouse and pier
adorned the beach and there was ev-
cry other device Of bowling alley,
gymnasium, tennis court and what
not that could add to the amusement
OF summer ~sojourners. There were
many pretty walks among the trees,
many fragrant hooks where natures
sway had not been disputed; but per-
haps the most attractive corner OF the
place was the walk beyond the bowl
ing alley beneath q graceful pergola,
covered with vines In summer. leading
TO a shady bower commanding a wide
view OF the bay. from which q ter
raced walk descended to the water,
II was essentially q summer play
house, and yet John Drysdale, looking
through the blurred glass of the car
riage that had brought him from the
y Wt1tAOh - ALGONSh Tic buuuGn ApTll
shower, SawptInthe light streaming red
ly from the windows n warmth of well
come that summer could not show.
A pile OF logs was blazing in the hall
fireplace, but he paused only for a
moment to get off the outdoor chill,
and then ran up to his room to dress
for dinner. He knew the customs OF
the house and he hoped for a reward IL
he dressed promptly.
Nor was ne disappointed, for whe
ne came down he, stair some fifteen
minutes later, he saw standing before
the fire q real figure, He paused a
moment toNcontempiate. 1.-THE white
shoulders rising from q gown of rich.
dark red, the poise, OF the head with
Its black couture. the grace OF the arm
hanging idly by her side.
She vas gazing ~intently INTO the fire,
deep I'm thought and for an instant
she did not hear him. hen n turned
with that rare ssmfie which only a
woman OF ardent temperament gives
TO only one man I'm the world,
II heard you drive up" she said;
thought you might remember our
old habit"
A IL 1 could forget 1t! Do you
now" and he held her at arms length
TO look at her, you take my breath
away. But then. you always do. My
luck seems too completely, supremacy
perfect to be true"
Her color deePened a little under
his gaze, but"her eyes did not waver.
II don't want you to live in a state OF
perpetual breathlessness." she said.
ooh. you don't know what q delight
rul state 1t is. There's nothing in my
appearance to palpitatlon OF the
heart. Just O ago, when /
came to the turn OF the stair and
looked down and saw you standing
here. do you know l was appalled, at
fha Ghaar rynndan ~ fJa khir- ,Gho
is mine ! said to myself, She is mine
and yet / couldn't quite believe tit
seemed too ~stupendous, TOO utterly alb
urd What have { done to deserve
your"
There was something very touching
IN h sincerity OF the frank boyish
face. She answered with a pressure
OF the hand which said more than
words.
II felt a good deal as that page felt"
he went on. after q moment. who
looked up at Kate the Queen. She
never could be wronged, be poor he
sighed. Medium to help her."
And yet in the end she did need
him, didn't she? Perhaps" and her
face changed and she looked away into
the fire again. perhaps / may need
you--may have to ask a great sacrifice
OF YOU"
ASK It," he said eagerly. ASK any
thing but that I give you up"
II have already asked one thing"
h said slowly. looking at him with
b face very gentle. mo little thing
your trust--your confidence, your"
You had no need to ask it." and he
caught her hands again. ct was
yours already"
And you viii be mine alwaysT'
Can you doubt It'll"
tAarsapd I shall be glad to remem-
Der Il"
Not long ego" he said looking at
her. " q friend OF mine gave me some
good advice"
Which wasf"
That be happy In having you,
without conditions: that / try to live
up 20 you and DE worthy of you; that
! try 60 do something worth while for
your sake"
she had listened with raised brows.
II didn't know I was a subject of
I discusSioh- f..
You're not-but you sent me to
him-f
Toh--Mr. Godfrey" A little cloud
came upon her face: b opened her
Tips 20 say something more. but a
step sounded on the stair and Tremaine
came slowly down. There was a look
had banlshed eli trace OF II rs he came
forward to greet them.
When the men Joined the women
after dinner, they found Miss Croydon
sitting at the piano idly touching the
keys. Trem!ine went TO her with a
directness that argued purpose, She
looked up. expecting. perhaps to see
Drysdale: her eyes narrowed n hard
ened as they met TremaiEe's,
"rye been wanting to AJAX you to
sing" he said. apparently not notio-