The Red Cloud chief., 1907-05-31

DlOOu. lle lCll HIS eyes DTIshtcll anu
his breath come little quicker as he
created in his imagna-
tion the living prcscntmcnt of the girl
whose picture he was still holding.
Tall she was and slim, with q soft,
white throat and long, graceful neck,
eyes rather darker than her complex
ion warranted, little narrow, but
bright as stars, a mouth with the di-
vine lines of humor and understand
ing II was only picture, but real
ization Of the living image seemed to
be creeping In upon him. He made
the excuse Of seeking a better light
and moved across to n distant lamp.
He bent over the picture, but 1t was
not the picture which he saw. lie saw
the girl herself, and even with the half
formed thought he saw her expression
change. He saw her eyes lit with sor-
row and appeal. He saw her arms
outstretched toward him. lie seemed
even to hear her soft cry.
He knew then what his answer
would be to his friends prayer. He
thought no more of the excuses which
he had been building in his mind Of all
the practical suggestions which he had
been prepared to make. Common sense
died away within him. The matter of
fact man of thirty was ready to tread
in the footsteps Of his great predcces-
sor and play the modern knight errant
with all the whole hcartedncss ofDop
QuiXotc himself. He fancied himself
by her side, and his heart leaped with
Joy of 1t. He thought no more Of
abandoned cricket matches and neg
lected house parties. A finger of fire
had been laid upon his somewhat tor
pid flesh and blood
"Well?" Andrew asked.
Duncombe returned to the table and
laid the picture down with a'reluctance
which lie could scarcely conceal
Every nice photograph" he remark
ed. Taken locally?"
81 took it myself" Andrew answered.
81 used to be rather great at that sort
OF thing before-before my eyes went
dicky"
Duncombe resumed his seat. He
helped himself to another glass of
wine
'T presume" he said, "from the fact
that you call yourself their nearest
frien1 that the young lady is not en-
gaged?"
NO" Andrew answered slowly, "she
Is not engaged"
Something little different in his
voice caught his friends attention
Duncombe eyed him keenly. He was
conscious of sense of apprehension
He leaned over the table.
"DO you mean, Andrew he asked
hoarsely. "Do you mean
"Yes, mean that" his friend an
swered quietly. mice sort of fool
aren't l? I'm twelve years older than
she Is, I'm only moderately well of
and less than moderately good looking
but, after all. I'm only human, and I've
| seen her grow up from a fresh, charm
| Ing child into one of Gods wonderful
| women. Even Il gardener, you know
| George loves the roses he has planted
and watched over. I've taught her {
little and helped her a little, and Nv,
watched her cross the borderland."
| "Does she know
Andrew shook his head doubtfully
81 think" he said, that she was he
ginning to guess. Three months ag
l should have spoken, but my troubl
came. l didn't mean to tell you this
but perhaps ii Is as well that yo
should know. You can understan
now what am suffering. To think O
her there alone almost maddens me-"
Duncombe rose suddenly from hi
seat.
"Come out into the garden, Andrew,
he said. IL feel stihed here"
His host rose and took Duncombe'
arm. They passed out through tn
French window on to the gravel pat
which circled the cedar shaded lawI
A shower had fallen barely an hou
since, and the air was full of fresl
delicate fragrance. Birds were sint
ing In the dripping trees; blackbird
were busy in the grass. The perfum
from the wet lilac shrubs was yer
dream of sweetness. Andrew pointe
across park which sloped down to th
garden boundary.
up there among the elm tree
George" he said, "can you see gleal
of white? That is the hall, just to ii
left of the rookery."
Duncombe nodded.
"Yes," he said, II can see it,"
Guy and she walked down so ofte
after dinner" he said quietly. 81 hay
stood here and watched them. Som
times she came alone. What a lor