The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1909-10-28
AMAkEMINg.
HRfuL (RE5w0.:

been going on since February! And he
the only blind one!
you have played your cards WELL"
he sneered. Honestly, / never sus-
pected either OF you. Eric Will become
a politician In due season.; he under
stands the art of assembling. He has
learned it in O good school"
She rose to her feet at this ana
rnoxed to the door without n word; but
Chaseney felt shame for himself the
moment he had spoken.
I'm SORRY don't mean that. Yes,
by Jove, I do, though. We had better
talk plainly, since it's for the last time.
Good by"
The girl swayed a little at the door,
but nerved herself to the effort. Good
by" she answered, vaguely, and was
already across the Threshold. She
paused there; Let me tell Eric in my
wi way, please" she asked, brokenly.
A saving impulse made her look at
him out Of her sad gray eyes. A re-
rulsion Of feeling swept through Chas-
eney. "Oh. Kit, what made you do it?"
he cried again.
Because l was afraid"
"Of what2"
She gulped down a sob, but remained
silent. Her yes dropped before the
fierce inquiry OF his.
II have lost you BOTH" h muttered.
at last. Isn't that enough? Good by"
Impatience seized him.
Yes, yes, but whatever made you?
It's so incomprehensible."
Then she told him..
Eric loves me-with all the love he
has to spare"
ITO spare?"
that?' She came back into the room
swiftly the dragon rOnSp6 in her at
length. What man ever offers a wom-
an more than that? We must take what
we can all that a be spared us
from business, from pleasure, from
other women" Her voice rose. DO
you think we dom know, that we don't
see? The game can be played on both
sides, can't it? Eric has been kind to
me; he thinks he Is In love-"
Chaseney smiled coldly.
"Ah, If Eric had but your years
and o his heart!" she cried almost
wildly. Shame caught her as she ended
thus; and overwhelmed her. She
dropped to the sofa suddenly and her
hands went up to cover her burning
face. She wept softly, utterly.
IF Eric had but your years, and you
his heart" 1t was true; Chaseney could
not deny it. He had simply taken one
view of this materials own, a mans.
He had no until now the ability to rise
above self.
He looked down upon her, weeping
abased, but there was still a note of
panied surprise in his voice.
but you know I do love you, Kit"
he began; then suddenly his tone al
tered, almost against his will.
He came down to his knees beside
her, and tried to take away her fingers
from her face. A great tear splashed
against his cheek, as he kissed and
kissed again the backs Of her little res
olute hands.
"You know I love YOU, DEAR" he
murmured, appealingly. Let ME
take care of you; give me the proper
right to be Jealous"
A great sigh shook her slender body;
her fingers relaxed. The two gray,
tear-dimmed eyes rested their gaze
upon him for an instant searchingly.
Then doubt showed in them ~cloudily.
She shook her head.
MOI" she whispered o~bstinately.
MOI.
Chaseney put both arms round her
and drew her close to him. His mouth
sought hers and pressed a different
answer upon 1t,
Here is my mothers ring" he told
her afterward. releasing her that he
might have his hands free to do his
will. Wear 1T, Kit, until I can get you
one for yourself. We a make a start
OH what 1 have, If you are not also
afraid of that"
Doubt died lingeringly in her eyes
as they answered him with fresh tears.
Blu these were gentle. the aftershower
that betokens hope OF fine weather near
at hand.