Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1908-02-14

so broken that he could hardly understand
What she was saying. And l have de-
ceived her. She will never love me again
Love, love-" she repeated slowly, and
then laughed bitterly. "Oh, l wish /
could die 7" she cried ~passionately. MY
heart Is broken, and l am so young"
Sc young, dear child, that time will
be your best consoler,' he answered gent
ly. The day may--no, will-come when
you will look back on tonight and smile
at the recollection that now seems too
cruel, TOO bitter to be. But that is not
yet, and now the pain is hard and heavy,
my poo child"
"Oh, it is awful!' Bride sobbed. How
can I live? / must die when / am s o
miserable. It would be impossible to live
with such agony-it will never go away.
How corid / ever forget?"
The professor consoled her gently, ten
derIy-even as her mother might have
done, and gradually Brides agitation less
ened, and he ventured to ring the bell.
you have been so kind" she said,
gratefully, as they waited for sleepy Ham
mond to open the door. u shall never
forget how kind. When-when- /
thought Of you at once. | knew you
would help me-"
Always, always, dear child" he an
swered quickly, as Hammond opened the
door remember in all circumstances /
am your friend"
It happened that when he eturne to
the big house Moyra was standing in
the hall with her last partner. He in
formed her where he had been, and said
he thought Bride had a headache. Moyra
received the news without displaying any
great concern. Bride was very subject
to headaches, and she was not surprised
that the excitement and strain of the oc-
casion had brought on one of her attacks.
They were still standing in the hall when
Aileen Joined them, looking very tired.
II am going for my cloak, Moyra," she
said. II can't dance any more. Let us
70 away quietly. l sha'n't be long"
ut is evidently the end of the evening"
Moyra laughed. Here is Billy, looking
tired too'-as young Fenton approached,
locking quite worn out. His eyes had
lost their merry light and wore a strain
ed, tired expression that made Moyra de-
eide that HI had a headache as well as
Bride. Aileen's return was delayed, and
Moyra grew tired of waiting.
II think I shall CO." she said, draw
ing her lace scarf round her head. "She
can easily run across alone. If you see
her, Billy, tell her I have gone please
and she and Lewiston went out.
Aileen stopped abruptly, the color ris-
ing In her face when she made her tardy
appearance, and saw Billy standing alone
In the doorway. Billy plunged into the
vortex and she followed him blindly,
while carriage lamps cast confusing cir
cles Of light, and an incessant babel of
voices went on. They walked without
speaking to the door. as if they were total
strangers. The hall doc was open. On
tho step Aileen paused.
THANK you very much" she faltered
meekly. Good night"
Billy did not answer he stood mo-
tionIess, his eyes fixed on the girls grace
full FORM. She seemed to move, md there
was Z sound as If a sob had escaped her.
Then Billy made a step forward and
caught the trembling figure In his arms.
"Ailsen," he whispered hoarsely, his
face pressed against hers, so that he
felt thst her cheeks were wet with tears.
SIS 4 quite impossible? Z"
The seemed to draw nearer to him, to
nestle closer within his arms, yet she
anszered:
Tor a moment they stood motionless
and in silence. Then suddenly Billy bow
cd his head and kissed her passionately,
covering her face with fierce caresses, and
paying no heed to her resistance. Per-
hAps 1t was not until then, when she was
weak and powerless as a child in his
grasp. that she realized how great was
the strength that had first drawn her to
him. Suddenly he released her.
There y he cried ~savagely. II shall
never ak you again, but marry Lewiston
II you dare!"
CHAPTER XXI.
The clock on the staircase was CHM
ing nine when Moyra sly opened
the door Of Aileen's room add peeped in.
Ailsen started up.
I'm y sorry to wake you, dear"
Moyra said, .sbut this not has come for
you, and the boy is waiting for an an
swer.
She lighted the candles and brought
them to the bedside while Aileen tore
open the envelope, her checks flushing as
she read the contents. The letter was
from Professor Lewiston, very brief and
very formal, and to the effect that he was
leaving for town that morning and should
be very glad to see Aileen alone at, any
hour convenient to her.
Its from the Professor, isn't it?''
Mcyra said, and as she gave Aileen her
writing pad she remarked, with apparent
irrelevance, Brides head is awfully bad
this morning she seems quite feverish. /
told her to stay in bed for an hour or
two. II she fs not better she must not go
eo-morrow.n
NO" Aileen murmured idly, as she
signed her short note. 1t is doubtful If
she knew of what Moyra was talking, so
ensrossed was she in her w concerns.
II suppose you have had breakfast? Send
Hammond up with some tea for me; will
you, Moyrai I don't want anything to
eet. III have got a headache"
You don't look as bright as you did
twelve hours ago." Moyra replied.
" Merry nights make sorrowful morn
inss,' a. old nurse used to tell u.s."
II never sleep well after and excite
ment,r Aileen answered, almost apollo
getically.
Her head was aching frantically, she
felt bruised and hurt mentally and physi-
cAily, but after her bath and the hot,
strong tea that Moyra had sent UP she
began to recover herself. She had spent
the brief night in bitter ~unavailing tears
for the decision at which she had arriv-
ed; she felt thai nothing that fame might
have in store for her could atone or COM
pensate for this sacrifice Of her natural
desires and affections, that the greenest
laurel crown was rs dust in comparison