Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1908-06-26

as she frightened the knot.
"Ouch !" he mutteerd. II think you
tied some Of my hair into that knvt."
I'm 80 sorry" she said, and loos-
ened 1t.
That's all right" he told her. Il
like to have my hair fused up. Don't
forget the glasses.
II dropped them" said Grace. "They
are somewhere on the floor"
Not smashed?"
IL think not"
you'd better think not. If you don't
find those glasses you will have to go
cut and buy a string with a dog at
tached to ito lead me around"
"Please don't talk like that" said
the girl. Let me help you up the
steps," She put her hand under his
arm and assisted him to the outside
walk and then up the front steps and
into the parlor.
Grace had the stranger sit in the big
easy chair by the window. Then she
turned on a single light. All her re-
sentiment against him seemed to have
ned.
"Can I do something for you?" she
asked.
Nothing" he replied Except give
me your society,""
"Of course, I'm not going to desert
you," she said. "Do your eyes pain
your"
mot exactly" he replied. '"They are
Just aching a little because they can't
see you"
Grace drew back.
III you mean that Tor a compli-
ment,n she said, II don't like It,"
Don't you?" he retorted. I'm sorry.
It seems to me rather poetical. You
see I haven't really had a good look
at you yet Those black glasses cloud
everything, and the cellar light was
dim. As for the fash light, that passed
too quickly. OF course, you father
gave me no ideas regarding your per-
sonal appearance"
my father! Why should he7"
"Why, indeed2 More especially when
I was coming here and you were to
meet meat the station"
There is SOM mistake about that"
said Grace quickly.
II began to think so myself when I
saw you were not there. But, never
mind, let us talk Of something else.
Did you ever sit alone in the dark, or
with your eyes tightly shut, and make
pictures?"
"No."
you've missed quite a pleasant o.
cnpation. I'm making a picture OF you
now. 1t is based on your voice-which
Is very pleasant, and on your
may I speak Of your manner"
III it entertains you?"
ooh, it does. Well, your manner is
= little cold, and a little naughty, and
a little discouraging for the stranger
within the gates. Wait. I can see thnt
you do not take newcomers at their
own estimation. That you are careful
aod cautious. I a see. too. that one
has to know you for a little while be-
fore one can hope to be admitted to
your good g~races."
The girl flushed warmly.
"You seem to be a person Of con-
siderable Imagination for IA special
,yt,' she said.
He softly laughed.
"You are too gentle" he said. "You
know that you think I am an impudent
young rufian. Yes, you do"
Grace drew back coldly. Then she
suddenly smiled. OF course he couldn't
see her.
Are you sure there Is nothing I al
order for your Perhaps you would like
to have the maid bring you a cooling
drtnk1'
'Hold on" he cried. "You mustn't
80 away. It's bad enough to be in~tbe
dark without being deserted. And your
conscience should tell you that I got
into this scrape at your suggestion"
AT my euggestionT" cried Grace.
"Of cousse Do you suppose I would
20 into q strange cellar and NEEDLE
with a lot Of tangled wires of my own
accordY
"Why, whyY' stammered Grace.
"Of course I'm not complaining"
said the stranger. 1T served me right.
But It does seem as If the least you
could do would be to avoid irritating
me in my extremely helpless condition.
I ask you to stay here and keep ME
company for a little while. There Is
only n thing else I want, and that's
my dinner"
Grace could only stare at him. She
fancied he must have been dazed by
the shock.
Perhaps you would like to have
something n%ouxishing brought to you
| nowf
mo. I can wait until your father
comes"
my fatherl"
Eyes, he's coming, isn't he?"
"Of course. He should be here In a
! few minutes"
"Good. What time is 1t, please?'
She looked at the clock.
Halt past SIX"
May 1 ask you to remove this hand
! kerchiaf7 a,a sure /! eeaao. SYs
| TIE intsdcaciss.of the knot"