The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1907-11-28

needs me. Why are you waiting here"
He pulled q chair close beside her.
Il was waiting for YOU he said
calmly. Il don't think you quite real
ize yet that l am in earnest"
To be in earnest would be in
famous"
NO indeed: not to be in earnest
would be infamous. I'm paying you
the greatest compliment I'm capable
of paying amy L ask you to be
my wife"
Why keep UP that ~mockery?" she
demanded scornfully.
1T is not u mockery. The past Is
dead"
1T is not dead. you have brought
1T to life. 1t is becoming intolerable."
81 know it: therefore | offer TO make
it tolerable. L have no wish TO perse-
cute anyone"
Then why do YOU"
Necessity
"Oh, nonsense!"
Listen" he said, with sudden in
tensity leaning toward her and look
ing in her eyes, "if l can prove to you
that the past is really dead-dead past
recall-dead past hope of resurrection
will you marry me2'
She looked at him without shrink
ing.
MOI" she answered.
II sec what it u.s." he said between
his teeth; lit is not that I do not awak-
en- an answering chord in you'll do
l can see tive We're set apart for
each other 1t is not that you do not
long to break through this silly Eng
fish cage which has always hedged you
about remember that you are really
French in every drop Of your blood.
1t is this pink-and-white n%onentity
who stands between us. You've fallen
in o with his baby face-but it's not
the love of a woman for q man, it's
the o OF a mother for her child. That
other owe you as yet know nothing of
but 1T shall be my part to teach it
you-my privflege-my great mission
and l shall enjoy the fruits of it.
Deep in your heart you know that the
pale feeling you have for this boy is
not loye--not strong, passionate, ma
ture love--the love that seizes and
~conquers, that takes one through heav-
en- and through hell. Not many women
are capable of such a love-they're too
cold, too selfish But you're capable
of it. and when 1t comes to YOU, as 1
swear 1t shall come, you'll not stop to
question the past. you'll look only
toward the future-you'l not stop to
ask what the world thinks; you'll heed
only the longings of your own heart"
She a sat spcll-bound, gazing at
him. chained by the sound of his voice,
by his vehemence. She reused her
self with an effort.
IF / should love- she said. 81 should
at least choose a gentleman-"
lie interrupted with a dry laugh.
There spoke the Philistine-the
English variety! Your heart wasn't
in 1t! Let me tell you that you
wouldn't stop to ask what he was-he
would be only the man you love. And
have you chosen a gentleman? Does
a gentleman listen at the turn of the
stairs to q 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!"
I'll has q right"
He has no ri4ht-he's a beggar at
your table! IL he can't hold you, it's
his fault. not yours. And he can't hold
you-he's too weak every way! All, I
could hold you!!"
"~Yes-perhaps ven beat mel"
He looked at her, his eyes agleam.
Perhaps" he agreed, his mouth
working with eagerness. Perhaps
should. But il | did, you would stab
me in the night"
He was weaving the spell about her
again; she gazed at him, half fasci-
mated.
Yes she said intensely; "yes--1
His eyes flashed with sudden
triumph.
And yet you thin. yourself in love
with D~rysdale!" he cried. Did he
ever awaken a wish like thai in your"
No; hank God!" and she shivered
slightly.
He was radiant, assured.
Nor any other feeling except a baby
liking! Yet you yield to his fancied
right: you promise to explain to him!
1t was to do that you came here to-
night"
Who told you that?"
.EJa did
Then why isn't he here?"
He preferred to commune with ma
ture," Tremaine answered., in an in
describable one. Think of any mar
preferring nature to you-preferring
anything to you-life, honorary
ing to do? TIL longing to take yol
in my arms and hold you fast and kiss
you on those red lips of yours-kiss
you. kiss yol-'
He a half out of his chair. lean.
ing over her. Another instant-but hi:
ears caught the opening OF a door.
Here comes Delroy," he said in an.
other tone, rising suddenly, his hand.
gripped tensely at his sides. Dam,
hint"
She lay back In her chair. relaxed
!. suddenly, painting with exhaustion.
I'll co. he added hoarsely. II cam
keep up the farce of polite conversatio
besides I have some letters to write
, Goodnight"
, For an houl or more. Delroy sa'
!, alone before the fire reading. AT las
! he ynwned. laid down his book. arose
and walked to the door. The wind wa.
rising; he could hea it roaring In tn,
! trees: and every minute u broad nasl
of lightning i1luinined the clouds on tn,
horizon.
There's a storm coming" he said t,
! Thomas, who was nodding at his post
!, II wonder where the devil Drysdal,
went? He'd better be getting in prett,
= soon.'
! AS though In answer to the thought
8 a dark figure appeared suddenly o,
the walk. strobe up the steps,, an,
j, opened the door. 1t was Drysdale.
4 He took off mis- coat. threw it t
" Thomas. and went on into the inne
8 hall. where he stood rubbing his hand
q before the fire, Will, IA face so hopeless
& fierce. ~despairins. thai Delroy was fair
~ startled.
You may go to bed, Thomas,' h
said: then he Went to Drysdale an
It laid a hand upon his shoulder. What
d the matter. jack" he asked. Your
looking regularly lone up"
it Drysdale turned with a start.
Oh, It's YOU. is it. Dickie? Where
Grace?"
upstairs with my wife"