Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1907-06-28

Through the next week the face
haunted him. They met again and
the charm grew deeper. He could mot
define 1t, he scarcely Acknowledged it
Ito himself; only away from Miss Ray
burn he was restless and uneasy until
he again found himself within the
scope Of her fascination.
Yet her nature remained an enigma
to him. Although SO young in years,
so beautiful in form and feature, she
seemed cold ever to haughtiness, re-
! ticent almost to scogn.
1t was as though some exquisite
marble statue had risen in. his path
way, which might some daytwarm into
life.
One day, on going toaher home, the
servant met him at the door with the
announcement that she was very Ill.
This knowledge brought other knowl-
edge-the fact he could no longer con
ceal from himself that he loved her,
and that on his hope df winning her
hung his life's happiness.
He went back to his studio, wretch
ed and despairlng, and seated himself
at his dasel. He had, not meant to
paint her face-his bra in seemed un-
conscious Of his finger toil-eyet, when
the morning broke, it wfes her fea-
lures smiling upon him from the can
| vas. and he remembered the hostess
had uttered on the night lae first met
her-that thus should het render him
self immortal.
She welcomed him whenever they
met In a manner which. while it gave
him no cause for complaint, yet chill
ed the hope ~spripging within his
breast.
He grew pale and wan In the days
of anxious suspense, when those who
watched over her couch knew not
which would conquer, the angel of life
or death. But there came an hour.
never to be forgotten, when he was
admitted to her presence.
She was very white, very fragile,
but more beautiful than In the color
ing OF perfect health. a new express
sion, too, was inv the violet Eyes raised
to welcome him.
II am very glad to meet you again."
she said gently. II hear you have
been anxious about me. You were
kind"
Then the words he had not meant
to speak burst from his lips.
Anxious" he said. Can a man,
Miss Rayburn. perfshing with hunger,
hear of the famine without a ~shudder?
l nm presumptuous, you will say. It
is true. What is my life with Its
many sealed pages in which your eyes
could never look that I should dare
offer it to you? And yet, purified by
worthy. Tell-answer me! If l
served as Jacob served Rachel, is
there hope that | may win you? My
darling! my darling! I love you!
l cannot live my life without you!
Will you not share it?"
Lower and lower dropped the lids,
until the long. dark lashes swept the
marble cheek. while the sweet mouth
trembled but the monentary weakness
passed as she spoke
Forget all that you have said, Mr..
Clayton. It can never be"
'You do not love me?" he ques-
toned sadly.
Again that swift expression Of pain
lifted across her lovely face.
II shall never marry" she answer
ed. But and in her voice an al
most pleading tone, 81 need my friend
very much, Mr.. Clayton; do not de-
sart mel"
Il cannot" he replied. ITO desert
you would be to desert the hope of one
day forcing you to unsay your cruel
words-the hope which will go with
me to my grave"
What a the barrier between
them? This was the question ever
ringing in Harold Clayton's ear. As
she looked when she pronounced his
doom. so he fancied she might have
looked when the statue warmed into
life.
Since hen she had been cooler, more
distant than before; but he had caught
the momentary expression md trans
ferred it TO the picture, ON which his
every leisure moment was spent.
He was thus ~engrossed one morning,
ever striving to add new beauty to his
almost perfect work, when sslow knock
at the door aroused hyT
Come in!" he called. and. Thea bent
anew to his task, without so much as
raising his head, until a low laughing
voice sounded beside him.
I've were caught IN the shower, Mr..
Clayton, and I persuaded Margaret to
seek shelter with me here. l did not
dream she would find herself fore
stalled
1t was Mrs. Somers who spoke-the
lady who first presented him to Miss
Kayburn-whose Introduction he had,
unknown to her. carried out.
Margaret she added, turning to
her friend, you have beer sitting for
your portrait and did not let me know.
Why have you kept 1t such a secret?'
He had now sprung to his feet in
time to see the rosy tide spread over
Margaret Rayburnss face.
iasIlrlt sstasT a lYoerty i toak without
Miss Rayhurn's knowledge, Mrs. Som
srA" b explained. II assure you !