The Sisseton weekly standard. (Sisseton, Roberts County, S.D.) 1892-1929, 1907-05-03
CHAPTER XvIu.-oCoxr1suEp.)

VIZ = ~ WV iliS nv III y ~ tii1
charming panorama of sunshine and
shadow before her, and a book of poems
In her lap. when there was a step at her
side. She looked up, and saw the face
Of Louis C%astrani.
Miss Harrison. you will. l trust. eX-
cuse me for seeking you here. But my
wish to see you was SO strong, that, on
my way to the White Mountains, | left
my party and turned aside here. to
crafty the desire. You know you gave
me permission?"
Il did; but hardly thought you
would take advantage OF it."
Perhaps ought not to have done so.
Indeed. | tried hard not to. Are you
very angry?"
NO, / am not angry at all. I am
glad to see You" She held out her
hand so is Leo, too-only see him
caper."
The dog was leaping upon Mr.. Cas-
trani. with the liveliest demonstrations
Of joy. He patted the silky head,
ut is something to be welcomed by
a brute, Miss Harrison: their instincts
are seldom at fault. l believe. Have
you been we'll, Miss HARRISON"
Very we'll. thank you. And you'
But need not ask. Your looks answer
for you. When did you leave New
York;"
Il have been in New York only a fort
night since I last saw you. Business
has kept me elsewhere. l came from
New York three days e What a
beautiful spot you have hidden yourself
int"
Il am pleased to hear you say so.
Isn't 1t lovely? But you must tell me
abou home. How are all my friends?"
They are all we'll. How mellowly the
sunshine tails on the rough crags OPP
posite. and what a picture for a paint
er to transfer to %canvas."
Yes, l have wished I were an art
list, over and yer again. But l have
no talent in that direction. My friends
are all we'll. you say? What of Miss
Lee? Did you see herr"
Yes, she is we'll. What are you
reading?" lifting the book from the
ground where 1t had fallen.
Margie turned suddenly pom him
and regarded him searchingly.
why do you evade answering my
questions, Mr.. Castrani? 1t is nat
ural that I should want to hear some
thing Of the home from which I have
been so long away. is it not? Why do
you refuse to satisfy my reasonable
curiosity on that subject?"
C~astrani's handsome face clouded-
He looked at her with tender pity in his
eyes.
Miss Harrison. why will you press
me further? Your friends are all we'll"
II know. but there is something be-
hind that. Tell 1t to me at once"
Il cannot-indeed, l cannot. You
must hear it from other lips. !! would
rather die than cause you one single
pang of sorrow"
you are very kind, Mr.. Castrani-
you mean generously-but I want to
know" Some subtle instinct seemed to
tell her what she was to hear-for she
added, "Is it of Miss Lee?"
II told you Miss Lee was we'll"
Mr.. Castrani, l have given you moro
of my confidence hat I have ever be-
slowed on any other person, because
respect you above all men, and because
l have perfect confidence in your honor.
Has this matter, of which you hesitate
to tell me, anything to do with-with
Archer Trevlyn?"
Her voice sank to a whisper, before
the sentence was finished, for she had
never spoken his name since that fear
full night on which his guilt had been
revealed to her.
Il will reply to your question by ask
ing another: and, If 1t seems imperti-
nent, remember that it is not so in
tended, and that l do not ask 1t from
any vulgar feeling Of curiosity"
you can ask nothing impertinent
Mr.. Castrani." she replied, earnestly.
Thank you. l do not intend to
Are you betrothed to Archer Trevlyn? 2
She grew very pale, but her eyes met
his fearlessly.
II was once. but it is all over now,'
with a dreary sigh, that was like the
breath Of the autumn wind through tho
dead leaves.
Before you left New York-was il
over before that?"
Yes, before l left New York. 1t wa!
why / left there. l cannot tell you how
1t was-I can never tell any human
being. But a terrible necessity aros,
which forced us apart"
Did he-did Arch Trevlyn deser
you. Miss Harrison?" asked Castrani
| his brow contracting, his dark eye.
glowing with indignation.
mo: 1t was my hand thai severed tn,
| engagement; do not blame him for that
1t was impossible that it should be full
filed"
"You. Miss Harrison? You broke tn,
engagement" he asked, eagerly.
Perhaps she read something in tn,
beautiful hope that sprung up in hi
heart from the glad light In his eye
and she crushed 1t at once.
yes. I. But not because l ha,
ceased to love him. o, no. He was-i
and will be always-the ono love o
my lifetime. I shall never love an