Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1908-09-18
CHAPTER Xxi.

lence touches at once the nerves that are
already so unstrung.
Hillary! Why don't you speak? Are
you angry with me? | could not help it.
| did not mean-" Her thoughts fly
to the upper chamber, where the ever
lasting stars looked down upon her, and
where beneath their light she had said
"No" to Everard's proposal Of marriage.
Is ut that? Should she not have gone
there? But they all saw her go, and said
nothing How has she offended him? The
pretty color dies away from her half
parted lips.
II know l have no right to dictate to
you what you should or should not do.
And rs for being angry, why should ! be
angry? We are all free to do as we will.
If you think my manner severe, it is
merely that l would suggest to you, as
being one of my family, that at such an
hour as this, you He stops.
Should not be here" interrupts she
eagerly. Eyes, l know nowi Bat they
were all here a moment ago"
"A moment! Your momcnts seem to
have flown on wings" sill VITA that
cruel smile, "in the room Up there with
Everard."
Hillary! Oh! it is impossible - in Il
low, but intensely vivid voice. You
must know how it was"
You, are right do"
you are mad !" cries the girl with a
little indignant gesture. You don't un-
derstand. You left me. to go down to
Sir Lucien-you remamber?"
Certainly. 1t gave a splendid oppor-
tunity." A pause.
II never thought Of you bsfore, as
contemplate" says she. Her voice now
is quite changed. All the sweetness, the
love, the dearness of it, seems dead, kill
ed! But l have often heard il is difB-
cult to know anyone Believe ne or not,
as you will, however, ! went up there
to zee the stars with Mr.. Everard; they
could be seen more clearly there, and
why give yourself so much trouble
Why not let this very amusing game you
have played with him and me conr 10 an
end now-so far as I am concerned, at
all events?" Grief and wra.h lave rem
dered him quite incapable If iathomins
the wretched things he is saying.
Amber's eyes, resting on nis, grow !arg-
err, brighter, but her face is the color of
death.
81 don't think you know what you a.s
saying" says she coldly.
"Ah! Don't let it degenerate into a
farce"
You mean our engagement" saya she
presently, having gathered up her courage
with a wonderful strength. There was
none, however. That at least you rust
remember. And--I am glad of it now!
/ am thankful that there is no real bono
between me and-you." The sweet, deep
eyes, 80 angry, 80 troubled i their
| depths, are still fastened upon his. Scorn
lies in their depths.
.This is a convenient occasion for you
to get rid of me-" says Adare calmly.
When q woman tri1es with two men, it
il vel. for her to have just cause for
getting rid, at tho last, Of the o,;s whe
is the least desirable. / congratulate you
on your success. You have not only got
rid Of me without any scandal, but yen
have secured Everard. who II beyond
doubt the richer man OF the two"
II wish I were a man! !" says she
slowly.
II would you were |" cries he, "for
then I'd kill you There is such
frightful passion in his tone that invol-
n~ntarily she draws back. Amber! What
4 name for you-for youw His desper-
ate grief makes him brutal. why did
your father give you such a name As
that?"
.Why should he not?" She lifts her
small, beautiful head and smiles at him
~defantly. 1T was, however, my moth
er's suggestion but afterwards my faith
or said 1t quite suited me. Because'-
her defiance now is Of the very highest
order-"he said looked no clear"
Clear! You! And to deceive me SO!
To 20 up there tonight" pointing to the
tiny staircase that leads to the topnost
room Of the tower, with Everard"
II don't understand about Mr.. Ever
ard You and yours have received him
as 1 frieAd. I think, during my stay here.
Yet now you talk Of him. NJ ii
But"-with a scornful gesture-'I care
very little for Mr.. Everard. AS to my
mothers naming me Amber, she thought
Of my complexion then, l think, not of
ny heart You see,' scofinxly, lit was
almost transparent when / was born As
for what 1t is now-or my heart either
-" She shrugs her shoulders. A very
agony Of rage has caught and overwhelm-
Cd her, let all the good of life go by for
the sake Of a moments revenge upon
his one human being whom. of all the
world, she has learned to love.
Her air, her attitude, enrages him.
..Hc~ aaEe yon speaksto me like that 2"
cries he, catching her suddenly by both
shoulders. and holding her a. if in a vice.
Let ma go!" Her voice rings clear,
X low, and without a touch Of fear in it.
She swings herself sharply out of his
grasp, and at once walks towards the
staircase beyond.
1t is lone very quickly. but she has
hardly reached the middle part of the gal
lery when he is beside her. His face
10 still dark with anger and distrust, but
-he has followed her.
"Amber! Don't go! Wa I. or was l
not, mad to speak to you like that? But
Il you will speak-will explain
II shall not explain Her face is as
white as death.
You refuse me one word" He has
fallen on his knees before her. What is
anything to--all the world contains-save
this one little slender girl Deliberately
shc loosens his fingers from her gown.
Even one she says.
He reeains his feet slowly, very slow
II; 70 slowly, indeed. that it gives Sir
Lucien. who is coming up the gallery Mt
this late hour, suficient time to see
him on his knees before her.
"Hah r. cries he, h~urrying ny and
lpaaking before reaching them. His
voice, harsh and resonant. rings along
The gallery. $50 l have found you out
at lastt Holary. are yon dead to all
POOR Interests? Marry that girl !'-point.
Ing . Amber with : aaiyering ~foreinser,