The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1909-02-26
THE Shadow Between"
SILAS K. HOOKING.
CHAPTER xxxiiI-continued,
SILAS K. HOOKING.


to him. Indeed, he was not conscious
of time or place. He heard the siren
at length. saw the great ship begin tc
move, ran up the long stage still wav
ing his handkerchief, strained his eyes
till only a speck remained, and then
with vision blurred and heart beating
wildly he turned away, hardly know
joice.
To Esther Mawgan that glimpse OF
Grayton was like a breath OF life. 1t
seemed to Justify and reward the
brave fight she had fought. He had
not forgotten her any more than she
had forgotten him. She knew by in
stinct that he also was keeping his
love pure and his ideals unstained.
Trey might never be any more to
each other than they were now; but
to love each other was reward in
itself, and far greater and nObler re-
ward than anything that money could
purchase. So she watched the smoky
city fade away in the distance, while
a song was sung in her heart. She
saw the hills of Wales arise and shine
in the golden light, and there seemed
TO be music everywhere.
She had hailed the thought of 60
ing away with delight. 1t was the
thought CT coming home again that
troubled her. Now the coming home
would be full OF a new gladness.
Grayton would find out. They had
taken return tickets. The names of
the passengers could be had at the Of
ice. Re would get to know by what
beat they returned and he would be
tfere 10 meet them. She felt as GER
tain as though he had told her, and
wien they net again all misunder-
standings would be cleared away.
SIZE was standing alone wrapped in
to ltht when Marion came up and
laid er hand on her arm.
You lcok wonderfully happy, Es-
tier size SAID, with a smile.
DO I, Marion?' and the warm blood
t,ed her cheeks suddenly.
y reTer saw you look so pleased
W.T. yourself before"
NO; not pleased with myself, and
yet l am Pleased, and I'm-yes, I'm
very happy"
Nacicn looked at her inquiringly,
but did not reply.
did you ever feel, after a long and
trying struggled struggle in which
you stood alone, as 1t were-a sudden
sense of %victory?" and Esther smiled
gin and her eyes shone in the gold
en- l. hit.
What sort of a struggle do you
mem, dear?" Marion questioned.
"A strugg e fer ideals-for the sane
ii y OF your w womanhood?"
Marion shook her head and looked
puzzled.
you heard that Mr.. Jackson want
to marry me-" Esther went on.
From a worldly point of view it
would have been what is called a good
match. You are surprised. perhaps.
that l declined the offer?"
Il knew you had good reasons, of
But you have never guessed. per
haps, what those reasons were!"
Il don't think I have tried"
II did not love him, Marion. liked
him as a man-a friend. I admitted
his ability, but"
Then you believe in what is called
love, Esther?" Marion questioned,
with a smile, and with a distinct red
dening of her cheeks.
Don't o believe in it. Marion?"
4 am not quite sure" she answered.
blushing still more deeply. "You see,
l am going yet" and she laughed a
little timidly.
Il think n may believe in It with
out experiencing It," Esther said,
lamely. "Onc is bound to have ideals.
you know. l cannot get over the feel
ing that marriage without love IL not
marriage at ALL"
Not II it 10 properly lesalized in a
mo amount Of legality can make
q true marriage. The lay may sane
ton anything. II a woman gives her.
self IN marriage to a man she does
not love she Is no better than"
Than what!"
Il prefer not to say. But now o
know why l would not and could not
marry Mr.. Jackson. It has been
hard Tight for me. Nearly all ny
women friends have been AGAINST mo"
"Your mother told me she was very
angry with you"
Mother has outlivsd romance, you
See, and forgotten her own youth.
There have been times whom I have
doubted myself. but after today I shall
never doubt again"
why after today"
Il have see Mr.. GRAFTON"
"Ah!"
my little secret IL safe with You.
know. He told me he loved me be-
Tore he went away, but he was afraid
. wait for an answer"
but you did not speak to each
,ther today"
We looked into each others v
Ind ! know he has kept his ideal a. I
rave kept mine"