Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1909-02-12
Hidden
Perils
CHAPTER VI.
By MARY CECIL HAY

Don't speak of him to me-. Please
don't. Una | want to forget that he is
here. ! want, if possible, to forget hi
very existence and you can make me dc
so If you choose-you only, my darling
The girl looked up with a smile into
Rourke's eyes, brilliant in their excite
ment tonight. yet still with the "wct
violet look which little Lorraine had
seen in them five years ago.
Rourke and Una were sitting in one
of the deep window seats of the great
hall at Hohvc. lie had led her to this
spot to rest, and now kept her sitting
beside him, while the dancing went on in
the long dining room and library at the
other end of the hall. and the vague on
chantment of the s~oftened music lowered
about him.
Una, give me that promise once again,
my darling. 1t was the sweetest music
that my ears could ever hear
Una looked up brightly into the face
she had loved for all the years she could
remember.
II PROMISE" she said, seeing he was SO
much in earnest over the wish, always
to love you as I love you to-night-as
I lave always loved you, Rourke; and l
promise to be as true to you while you
are away as l should be if you were with
me every day Why, of course | SHALL
the girl added, impulse vely Il never
could help it. I never could think of
any one else as I think Of you you know
it, Rourke." D..
And ! promise" he said, very low, az
he tool her face between his hands and
kissed it, "to come home to you after
these two years, as true, as constant, as
entirely you own, Una, my darling, as l
am tonight" g0s u...
Years afterward, recalling this promise
which had gone from his heart with the
earnestness Of prayer, he was grateful
that those had been the words exactly.
Then there was a silent, happy pause
between them, which the music brightly
filed. 1t was Una who broke it pres
emily.
"And will you come tomorrow,
night"
q suggestion. am coming to- to
speak to Mr.. Galveston. Guess, Una,
what he will say when I ask him for his
pet?"
"He never denies me anything, you
know, Rourke,' she said, her head droop-
ing, as she toyed with the flowers on her
dress and he is so fond Of you. Don't
smile, Rourke, he is indeed and he is
fond Of Hohve too. To have me settle
at Hohve near him would be the very
wish Of his heart" she added. uncon-
s~ciously expressing the cause of Rourke's
smile. And you are going to leave me
with him for two years yetY'
Unfortunately, yes"
Just then Lucilla We're came up to the
seat alone, her step idle and leis-
urely, but her eyes full Of curiosity.
"Rourke, what do you think? Lots of
the ladies are dancing with Mr.. Newley,
and say he dances so well. I think Mrs.
Trenham m have asked them, for she
me. But I would not dance with
him, Rourke, unless you wish it, and
you do not"
II hope you have no objection said
Una. looking anxiously up into his face
as they all stood now, because Mrs.
Trenham asked me to give him a dance,
and 1 promised. l thought you would
like to please her. Rourke.''
He looked into her wistful eyes, and
the sudden anger died out Of his own.
'You did 1t for the best" he said, "as
you do everything. But I would rather
not see the dance. Which is it?"
&..The last before supper"
The ball was half over. The band was
silent. The dancers were arranging mat
tiers with zach other. Very few would
sit through this new valse OF
Godfrey's-very few ever do voluntarily
sit through the last dance before supper.
Rourke. just relieved from one Of his
duty dances and preparing to leave the
room, paused a moment beside Una. Her
last partner had left her on young TrenI
hams approach. The group around her
he did not heed as he spoke.
you little know what hard work it is
for me to go away and give you up to
Newley. Don't require me to do it ever
again, Una. He is here on sufferance. He
had no right to take a mean advantage of
your kindness"
Don't stay away, R%ourke," pleaded the
girl, timidly; 'I'm--I'm very sorry l
promised Mr.. Newley. I wish 1 need
not dance this vaise with him"
You need not have promised" he
answered, quietly; having done so. of
course, you must give it to him. Why
should you shrink from it now? Don't
you remember saying he was gentlemanly
and danced well-I suppose he added,
checking the sarcastic words. that l may
Join you again after supper
With still that restless longing in his
eyes, at variance with the happiness
which filed his heart when he told him
self again and again that Una loved him.
Rourke turned away. Az he slowly cross
ed the almost empty hall Newley over
took and joined him.
II wish you would obliGe me by taking
my place through this dance" he began.
speaking with an exaggerated Indifference,
81 do not like to Gsappoint Miss Caves
ton of it,
Rourke saw in a moment that both his
words and Una's had been overheard but
he felt nothing but a great flaming wrath
at the insolcnce of the speech.
Are you addressing me- he asked.
.Yes.'' replied Newley. for he as rarely
as possible used any name in addressing
Mrs. Trenham's stepson. Il am tired of
the sameness of this scene. and the tame
ness of all ! hear; but of all the partners
falling to my share Miss Galveston is. in
my opinion, the most thoroughly enervat-
ing
'Ncwley." said Rourke. with a deadly
quietness. ARE your words meant to tempt
me to raise my hand against you:'
II did not know said Newley. calm
", thai there was anything personal III
my remark, your name not being synony-
nous with Miss Gaveston's. But will you
oblige me in this matter? I want to be