The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1909-01-29

had never expected going away in
such a helpless condition. 1t seemed
to him as though he we're 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 quite
so early. He had never seen her in
what Esther called dehabille 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 a.
good.by," he said, hurriedly; you and
your mother have been very kind to
me-"
Mother has not got down yet"
Esther replied, 4 little awkwardly. II
am afraid you won't be able to see
her."
Il nm sorry. But perhaps you will
say soodby to her for me-"
Il will do SO, Of course. She win
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 l 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. 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 a little distance
down the drive. and by the time he
had got into the carriage she stood
close 10 him. She never quite knew
what prompted her to follow him. She
fancted 1t 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
and raised his whip. Grayton leaned
suddenly over the door. his face very
pale. his eyes ablaze with light.
Esther he whispered. Il love YOU,
l love you! love you"
And l love you,' she struggled to
say, but the words never left her lips.
Before W her eyes could speak the
horse started of at a 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
sensation, her heart throbbiing with
an unexpected joy.
That Grayton had said aood.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.
h 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 tho strictest propriety, and
regarded it as wrong to love until
her love had been asked.
Now her whole soul famed I'D in a
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
80 she was quite free to love him in
ITO ae Contlnued.l