The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1907-07-26
CHAPTER Iv.-(continued.)

USV
II should have been here BEFORE"
be said, "only I was detained. met
Z man who happened to take my over
coat to-day in mistake for his W
from the hairdresser's. He turned
out to be q decent sort of chap, and l
couldn't get rid of him at once. Blu
that's by the way. I've come here to
say something, which is awfully diff
lcult to ny. I've fought it out with
myself and rye wondered If l should
be Z bounder in saying 1t. I'm afraid
I'm going to say something that a
gentleman oughten't to say. don't
know. really don't know. But
something within tells me that If l
don't say 1t l should be. doing some
thing which I should regret all my
life long. But you must forgive me,
and Il, after what I've said, you feel
that I olghtn't to have done So, I do
beg you will forgive me. Marjorie.
Will you forgive me-"
Her voice was very low. "ies," she
said, In almost q whisper.
you are engaged to another man."
he said. II don't know him, I have
never seen him. l know he is a great
swell and very impo- tant. A year ago,
II anybody Aad toad me that l was 60
ing to talk to . girl who was engaged
70 another man ~ I'm talking to yosl,
! should probably have knocked him
down. Shows n never knows,
doesn't Il. Marjorie.
She began to breathe quickly. Her
breast rose and fell, her agitation was
very manifest. The tears were begin
ming to well up in her eyes. She hated
herself for the visible emotion; she
did her best to control It. But it was
utterly impossible, and she knew that
she wa telling him, eve now, what
she know he moN desired to hear.
He got up from nfs chair. Dig, force
full. manly, and young. and was by her
side In q moment.
Marjorie" he said, dear, sweet
Girl. | can't help telling you, however
wrong It may be. l love you-1 love
you deeply and dearly. l am quite GER
tain. l know not how, but I'm quite
certain, and nothing in the world
could persuade me I wasn't, that I'm
the man who wa made for you and
that you're the girl who was made for
me. I cant put It POLITICALLY, l don't
know how to say It beautifully as the
3ohnnies say II In the novels and on
the stage. but, darling, | love you"
There was . catch and q break in
his voice; . sob had come into it.
Then b. went on. do you know.
Marjorie. I can't help thinking, some
how. that you must have made q mis-
take" He was kneeling now by the
side Of Ler chair. His arms stole
round her and she made no motion to
forbid It. It was q moment Of abso-
luto surrender-a surrender which she
had no power to Withstand.
And now he held her In his strong
arms, his Kisses fell upon her lips, her
head Was on his shoulder, she was
sobbing quietly and happily. With no
word Of avowel spoken, she gave her.
self 20 him It that moment. He had
felt, and his whole body was shaken
With the 10y and triumph, that, come
what might. she was his in spirit, IL
indeed, she could . be his In any
other way.
II was : great moment in those two
young lives, young man and maid
knowing themselves and each Other
Tor the Arst time. Il wasn't romantic
exactly: there was nothing YER,
striking about It, perhaps. but It wal
oweet-Ahl unutterably sweet!
HI was walking about the room
ssYou must tell him." he said, dear
ct. You'll have to 60 through 81
much more than | will, and it cuts me
u the heart to think Of 1t. You'll have
10 face Ill the opposition Of everybod,
-of your people, Of society. and thu
world GENERALLY. And can't help
you'll have 10 80 through It alone. I'll
! bitter thought that I can't help you
Dear. dare you fight through this fol
me? Are you strong enough ARE
you brave enough"
she went w TO him and placed both
her hands upon his shoulders. look
lne straight into his face.
II have been wicked" she said, y
have been wrong. But perhaps there
were excuses. Until n has felt love
-seal love, Gerald. q doesn't realize
~ claims or the duties q owes it.
~ aenbitious. liked William well
enough. He interested me and slim
mated me-. felt proud to think that
-na - - tha communion Of Z mar