The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1908-09-25
"Ihe Shadow Between"
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S1LAS X. HOOKING.
SILAS K. HOOKING.


you need not be. can assure you
the discipline is doing mo good. It's
far better to work than rust. I want
to play my part in the world-to take
my place among those who strive"
But could you not have done that
nearer home? Were you not doing It,
in fact?"
II was doing nothing, earning moth.
ing, learning nothing. Besides"
"Yes?"
II wanted to be near you"
She edged back her chair suddenly,
and her face grew pale. His manner
the ardent look in his eyes-startled
her.
II feared what might happen to you
In this great CITY," he went on. II
knew you had no friends-no refer.
ences. imagined a thousand horri-
BILE things.And SO, when l had the
chance of coming to LndoA AID earn
ing my own living, I hailed 1t as a god
send. I thought I might find YOU
perhaps befriend and protect you. I
have looked for you with an aching
heart for days and weeks. Last Sun
day evening I caught sight Of YOU"
Last Sunday EVENING""
He enlarged on his search then, and
the interested look came back into her
eyes once more. But when he had
finished she edged her chair still far.
Their away from him.
1t seemed to her almost an incredi-
BILE thing that he should be anxious
about her welfare. Could 1t be that
he was seeking revenge in this subtle
and insidious way? He had ealked Of
friendship. Was it to get her into his
power? He was a man getting rap
idly en-, it seemed to her, towards mid
die life, while she was only a girl. If
he meant evil, how cleverly he had
played his cards!
The suggestion once lodged in her
brain took root and grew. She be-
came fearful and apprehensive. He
saw the change in her, and grew trou-
bled.
: She rose to go, and would not be
prevailed upon to sit down again.
IF you will co. he said, in a tone
of disappointment, then l will see you
safely home"
mo, no." she answered, quickly. Il
know my way quite we'll, and an very
well able to look after myself"
But surely
81 would very much rather go
%alone,' she interrupted. Il am quite
used to it,"
"As you WILL" he answered, a little
dejectedly; and he went with her to
the door, and while he was paying the
bill she disappeared.
He waited a moment OR two for his
change, thinking she was standing just
outside. A young lady not unlike Ma
lion was waiting for some ne, but
Marion had vanished. He looked
eagerly right and left, then darted
across the street at the imminent risk
of life and limb. He was back again
in a few moments.
Perhaps she is waiting for me in
side," he thought, and be entered the
tea room again.
"Have you lost something's" the
cashier asked.
"Yes!"-but he did not say what.
Up and down the street he walked
for he knew not how long, staring
eagerly at every %passerby. Then, with
a sigh, he turned YEARLY towards
home.
He was perplexed, disappointed, and
not a little angry. He felt that Marion
had treated him not even with COM
mon politeness. What was the mean
ing Of it? 1t was not her nature, he
was sure, to be either rude or un-
kind.
That night he scarcely slept at all.
His heart was torn with a new set Of
emotions; anger was battling with
love, perplexity Joined hands with dis
appointment. Pride took off the
gloves, as 1t were, and joined in the
fray.
A tone moment he declared she was
not worth q moments thought, the
next he was prepared to lay down his
life for her.
He recalled a hundred times all the
events Of the evening-all the words
| she had spoken, every tone of her
voice, every expression of her sweet
oval face. That she was fair to look
upon there was no denying-fairer
than any other woman he had ever
seen That she was as good as she
was fair he did not really doubt. That
he loved her was the supreme fact Of
his life.
BY morning he had reasoned him
self into . fairly clear perception OF
the case.
"She is q timid little bird" he said
to himself with q smile, "and II l am
not careful I shall never catch her."
CHAPTER XVI.
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