Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1908-01-28

for his battle was not yet won. and
until he was surer Of himself he could
not endure the ribaldry and rejoicing
of his fellows. A welcome lay waiting
for him in every public place, but no
one there could know the mockery Of
1t, no one could gauge the desolation
that was his.
The sand, wet, packed and hard rs q
pavement, gave no sound to his care
less steps, and thus 1t was that he
came silently upon the one woman as
she stood beside the silver surf. Had
he seen her first he would have skunk
past In the landwnrd shadows, but,
recognizing his tall form, she called
and he came. while it seemed that his
lungs grew suddenly CONSTRUCTED. as
though bound about with steel hoops.
The very pleasure of her sight panied
him. He advanced eagerly, and yet
with hesitation. standing stiffly aloof
while his heart futtered and his tongue
grew dumb. At last she saw his
bandages and her manner changed
abruptly. Coming closer she touched
them with caressing fingers.
Its nothing nothing at all." he said
while his voice jumped ont Of all con-
troll. when are you-going away!"
II do not know-not for some time"
He had supposed she would so to-
morrow with her uncle and-the other,
to be with them through their travail.
With warm impetuosity she began:
ut was q noble thing you did to-
day. Oh, am glad and proud"
Il prefer you to think Of me in that
way, rather than as the wild beast you
saw this morning, for was mad, per.
fectly mad with hatred and revenge,
and every wild impulse that comes tc
defeated man. You see. had played
and lost, played and lost. again and
again. till there was nothing left.
What mischance brought you there?
tt was 4 terribly brutal thing, but
you can't understand"
but can understand. / do. l
know all about 1t now know the
wild rage OF desperation; know the
exultation OF victory; know what
hate and fear are now. You told me
once that the wilderness had made you
a savage, and laughed Mt It Just as
did when you said that my contact
with big things would teach ME the
truth, that were all alike, and that
those motives are In us all. l see now
that you were right and was very
simple. learned great deal last
night
have learned much ALSO" said he
II wish you might teach me more"
"I-I-don't think could teach yor
any MORE" she hesitated.
He moved MS though to speak. but
held back and tore his eyes away from
her.
"Well?" she inquired, gazing at him
covertly.
"Once, long time ago, read q
lovers petition, and ever since know.
Ing you have made the constant
prayer that l might be given the
purity to be worthy the good in you
and that you might be granted the
patience to reach the good in me, but
it's no use. But at least I'm glad we
have met on common ground, rs it
were, and that you understand, in a
measure. The prayer could not be nh,
swered; but through 1t have found
myself and have known you. That
last is worth more than a kings ram
som to me. 1t is holy thing which
shall reverence always. and when you
go you will leave me lonely except for
its remembrance
But am not going" she said.
"That is-unless''-
Something in her voice swept his
gaze back from the shimmering cause
way that rippled seward to the rising
moon 1t brought the breath into his
throat, and he shook us though seized
by great fear.
"Unless-what?"
Unless you want me to-"
ooh, God! don't play with me!' He
flung out his hand as though to stop
her while his voice died out to sup
plicating hoarseness. ~ can't stand
that"
"Don't you see? Won't you see?"
she asked. 81 was waiting here for