Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1909-01-28

had never expected going away IN
such helpless condition. 1t seemed
to him as though he were starting life
again, and starting heavily handicap
ped
Esther knew that Grayton was leav-
ing that day, but as he had decided
to make the journey by easy stages
she did not think he would start cutie
so early. He had never seen her in
what Esther called dehabi.le before,
but he fancied she never looked more
sweet and winning.
She was standing by the dining room
window when he was announced, and
her pale face Redeemed very percepti-
bly, when she advanced to meet him.
Il could not help calling to say
good-by," he said, hurriedly; you and
your mother have been very kind to
me-"
Mother has not got down YETI
Esther replied, a little awkwardly. 81
am afraid you won't be able to see
her."
Il am sorry. But perhaps you will
say goodby to her for me-
II will do SO, Of course She will
be sorry to have missed you
Then there was an awkward little
pause. He had a hundred things he
would like to have said but this was
not the time.
Il did not think you would be start
ing SO early" Esther broke in at
length, and she looked beyond him
through the open door.
This is the best train of the day.
he said, "and I want to get on as far
as possible
Then there was another little 81
lence. For some reason or other con-
versation would not flow.
Well goodbye" he said, abruptly,
and he held out his hand.
Goodbye, Mr.. Grayton. l hope you
will soon be as we'll as ever.'
He took her hand in his, and his lips
moved as though he were on the point
of saying something else; then he
dropped her hand and turned away.
She followed him at little distance
down the drive, and by the time he
mad got into the carriage she stood
close to him. She never quite knew
what prompted her to follow him. She
fancled it was mere neighborliness.
She was in the habit of going to the
side OF the carriage when their friends
took their departure
The driver gathered up the reins
az raised his whip. Grayton leaned
suddenly over the door, his face very
pale, his eyes abIaze with light
Esther" he whispered, 81 love yo11r
| love you! l love you!"
And | love you" she struggled to.
say, but the words never left her Inns.
Before even her eyes could speak the
horse started off at trot, and he was
gone.
She stood there for a long time
quite still, looking up the lane where
the carriage had disappeared. She
was quite conscious of time and place
Her nerves were thrilling with a new
her heart throbbiing with
an unexpected joy.
That Grayton had said good-bv to
her and that she might never see his
face again did not concern her lust
then. Everything was swallowed up
in the jubilant fact that he loved her.
she had been conscious for months
that her feeling toward him had not
been the normal kind. No other voice
touched her heart as his did; no other
eyes ever looked so deeply as his,
But she had been afraid to question
her heart, afraid to let her thoughts
dwell on him for any length of time.
She had been brought up in an atmos-
phere of the strictest propriety, and
regarded it as wrong to lore until
her love had been asked.
Now her whole soul famed I'D in .
consuming passion. There was no
longer doubt or uncertainty in her
mind. He had told her in three burn
ing sentences that he loved her, and
so she was quite free to love him in
return
ITO Be Contlnueo.)