The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1907-11-28

oAN ilNtN IL bSh 1T oA "SAA NAA
needs me. Why are you waiting here?"
He pulled a chair close beside her.
II was waiting for you" he said
calmly. II don't think you quite real
iZe yet that l am in earnest"
ITO be in earnest would be In
famous"
mo indeed: not to be in earnest
would be infamous. I'm paying you
the greatest compliment I'm capable
of paying any / ask o TO be
my wife"
why keep up that mockery?" she
demanded s~cornfully.
1T is not a mockery. The past is
dead"
ut is not dead; you have brought
1t to life. 1t is becoming intolerable."
Il know 1t; therefore l offer to make
1t tolerable. l have no wish to perse-
cute anyone"
Then why do you?"
Necessity"
"Oh, n~onsense!"
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 me-"
She looked at him without shrink
ing.
MOI" she answered.
L sCt Alal IL . lC Sdtu
his teeth; "it is not that I do not awak-
Ell an answering chord in you'll do
l can see five were set apart for
each other . 1t is not that you do not
long to break through this silly Eng
lish age which has always hedged you
about remember that o are really
French in every drop OF your blood.
1t Is this pink-and-White nonentity
who stands between us. You've fallen
in love with his baby face-but it's not
he love OF a woman for a man, it's
the love of q mother for her child. That
other love o as yet know nothing of
but 1T shall be my part to teach 1t
you-my privilege--my great mission
and l shall enjoy the fruits of 1T.
Deep in your heart you know that the
pale feeling you have for this boy is
not love-not strong, passionate, ma
ture loVe-the owe 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 to you, as I
swear it shall come, you'll not stop to
question h past: you'll look only
toward II f~uture-youll not stop to
ask what the world thinks; you'll heed
only the longings of your own heart"
She had sat spell-bound, gazing at
him. chained by the sound of his voice.
Wy ~ NciSIlGHCS. SnG rouse neT-
self with an effort.
IF / should love-" she said. Il should
at least choose q gentleman-"
He interrupted with a dry laugh.
There spoke the Ph~ilistine-the
English variety! Your heart wasn't
in it! 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 turf of the
stairs to a 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 like youl"
He has a right"
II has no rght-he's a beggar at
your table! II 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 youi"
"Yes-perhaps even beat mel"
He looked at her, his eyes agleam.
Perhaps" he agreed, his mouth
working with eagerness. Perhaps I
should. But IL l 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-I.
should like to do 1t now!"
His eyes flashed with sudden
triumph.
And yet you thin: yourself in love
with Drysdale!" he cried. Did he
ever awaken a wish like that in your"
NO; thank God!" and she shivered
slightly.
He was radiant. assured.
Nor n other feeling except q baby
liking! Yet o yield to his fancied
WIGHT Tnt Ernnntun IN .r~IaN A. LE-.a
1t was to do that you came here to-
night"
who told you that?"
He did"
"Then why Isn't he here?"
He preferred to commune with ma
ture," Tremaine answered, in an in
describable tone. Think Of any man
anything to you-life, honor-any-
thing! Do you know what I'm long
ing to do? I'll longing to take you
in my arms and hold o fast and kiss
you on those red lips of yours-kiss
you. kiss yoI-"
He was half out OF his chair, lean
ing over her. Another instant-but his
ears caught the opening OF a door.
Here comes DelrOy," he said in an
other tone. rising suddenly, his hands
gripped tensely at his sides. Damn
him."
She lay back in her chair. relaxed
suddenly. painting with exhaustion.
IN GO" he added hoarsely. II can't
keep up the farce Of polite conversation
besides l have some letters to write.
Goodnight"
For an houI Ur more, Delroy sat
alone before the fire reading. At last
he yawned, laid down his book. arose,
and walked to the door. The wind was
rising; he could hear it roaring in the
trees; and every minute q broad flash
of lightning nlumined the clouds on the
horizon.
There's a storm coming" he said to
Thomas. who was nodding at his post.
Il wonder where the devil Drysdale
went? He'd better be getting in pretty
soon."
AS though in answer to the thought,
q dark figure appeared suddenly on
h walk, strobe up the steps,. and
opened the door. 1t was Drysdale.
He DOL off mis- coat. threw II to
Thomas, and went on into the inner
hall, where he stood rubbing his hands
before the fire. with IL face so hopeless,
fierce, despairing, tina: Delroy was fair