Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1907-11-15
II.
THE GAUNTLET.

THE GAUNTLET.
Edgemere was a beautiful estate
overlooking the Great South Bay, just
east OF Babylon. Across the waters OF
the bay, the low dunes OF Fire Island
were visible with the lighthouse point
ing upward its white finger of warning
To east and west low, wooded islets
closed in the horizon, while to the
north, the tall trees OF a broad stretch
OF woodland looked down upon the
house. A pretty boathouse and pier
adorned the beach and there was ey-
cry other device OF bowling alley,
gymnasium, tennis court and what
not that could add TO the amusement
OF summer soiourners. There were
many pretty walks mon the trees,
many fragrant hooks where natures
sway had not been disputed; but per-
baps the most attractive corner OF the
place was the walk beyond the bowl
Ing alley, beneath a graceful pergola,
covered with vines In summer leading
to a shady bower commanding a wide
view of the bay, from which a ter
raced walk descended to the water.
II was essentially q summer play
house, and yet Joh Drysdale. looking
through the blurred glass OF the car
riage that had brought him from the
station through the sudden April
shower, saw In the light streaming red
~ hh0if ilt WlnuONS q WdIInln III Wei
come that summer could not show.
a File 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 n he hoped for a reward il
he dressed promptly.
Nor was he disappointed. for when
he came down the stair some fifteen
minutes later. he saw standing before
the fire a real figure. He paused a
moment to contemplate 1.-THE white
shoulders rising from a gown OF rich,
dark red, the poise {. The head with
Its black couture, the grace OF the arm
hanging Idly by her side.
she was gazing i~ntently into the fire,
deep ia thought and for an instant
she did not hear him. Then she turned
with that rare smile which only a
woman of ardent temperament gives
10 only one mar I'm the world.
Il heard you drive up" she said
Il thought you might remember our
old habit
A il i could forget IT. Do you
know and he held her at arms length
to look at her, you take my breath
away. But then, o always do. My
luck seems too completely, supremacy
perfect TO be true
Her color deepened a little under
Di@~f 1Af avs ~ ~ AAa ilVk aNCl
II don't want you to live In a state OF
perpetual breathlessness." she said.
"Oh, you don't know what a delight
ful state IL is. There's nothing In my
appearance TO cause palpitation of the
heart Just a ago. when |
came to the turn OF the stair and
looked down and saw you standing
here, do you know I was appalled, at
the sheer wonder OF the thing. She
lis mine / said TO myself, She il mine
and yet l couldn't quite believe tit
seemed too stupendous. TOO utterly alb
surd. What ave I done to deserve
your
Their was something very touching
In the sincerity OF the frank boyish
face. She answered with a pressure
Of the hand which said more than
words.
Il felt a good dea as that page felt
he went on. after a moment, who
looked up at Kate the Queen. She
never could be wronged. be poor he
sighed. need him 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
Ask It," he said eagerly. Ask any,
thing but hat ! give you up"
have already asked one thing"
h said slowly. looking at him with
"A face very gentle. mo little hing
your trust-your confidence, your
You had no need to ask It," and he
caught her hands again. TT was
yours already
And you win be mine always"
"Can you doubt it?"
-No-aad shall be glad to remem-
Der IT.
Not long ago." he said looking at
her, " a friend OF mine gave me some
good advice"
which was?"
THAT I be happy in having you.
without conditions: that / try to i've
up TO you and be worthy or you thai
! try to do something worth while for
she had listened with raised brows.
r didn't know ! was a subject OF
You're not--but you sent ma to
s:oh-~Mr. Godfreyls a little cloud
carre upon her face: she opened her
Hrs III ray something more. but q
sep sounded on the stair and Tremaine
tsxSnr slowly down. There was u look
~ his fAce not pleasant TO see. bu he
N byriehed all trace OF II a. he came
E&enMtHe nler teined the women
~.9~r dinner. they found Mise Croydon
.rkft}nx at the plano Idly touching the
~e<S. Ixematne went ~ her with Z
dir* <ncBa That argued purpose. she
1roSf1 up expecting perhaps TO ~
60 4 "a. ff<y met Trcmaino,s.
~ been ~4nfiue 10 ask YOU "a
nf *Hid. nppaTsptly MT n6t1c