The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1910-08-11

wonder how l came here, and why /
stayed hidden at the lodge. Dear old
Thomas has been almost crazy, Miss
Innes. / did not know that Sunnyside
was rented. I knew my mother wished
to rent it, without telling my-step-
father, but the news must have
reached her after l left. When I
started east, l had only n idea-to
be alone with my thoughts for q time,
to bury myself here. Then, must
have taken a cold on the train"
Miss Innes," she said, has my
stepbrother Arnold gone away?"
What do you mean" I asked,
startled. But Louise was literal.
HE didn't come back that night"
she said, and 1t was so important
that l should see him"
II believe he has gone away" I re
piled uncertainty. Isn't it something
that we could attend to instead?"
But she shook her head. II must do
1t myself" she said DULY.
Halsey came to the door at that mo-
ment and l could hear him coaxing
Lluuy lOT dulllSolOu " III blCh iOoIis
Shall l bring him in?" I asked
Louise, uncertain what to do. The
girl seemed to shrink back among
her pillows at the sound Of his voice.
l was vaguely irritated with her;
there are few young fellows like Hal
Observation-Disclosures honest, and will
ing to sacrifice everything for the n
woman. / knew one once, more than
80 years Ago., who was like that; he
died a long time ago. And sometimes
] take out his picture, with its cane
and its queer silk hat, and look at it.
But of late years it has grown too
painful; he is always a boy-abd l am
an old woman. l would not bring him
back If l could.
Perhaps 1t was some such mem
DRY that made me call out sharply.
Come in, Halsey." And then took
my sewing and went into the boulder
beyond, to play propriety. did not
try to hear what they said, but every
word came through the open door with
curious distinctness. Halsey had evil
IDENTIFY gone over to the bed and /
suppose he kissed her. There vas ST.
lence for a moment, as II words were
super1uous things.
II have been almost wild, sweet
heart,"-Halsey's voice. why didn't
you trust me. and send for me be-
fore?"
1T was because I couldn't trust my
SELF" she said in a low tone. Il am
too weak to struggle today; oh, Hal
sey, how I have wanted TO see youi"
There was something l did not hear,
then Halsey again.
1--WE could go away" he was say
ing. What does it matter about any
one in the world but just the two of
us? To be always together, like this,
hand IN hand; Louise-don't tell me
it isn't going to be. l won't believe
you"
You don't know; you don't know"
Louise repeated duly. "Halsey, I care
you know t~hat-but-not enough to
marry you"
That is not true, Louise" he said
~sternly. You cannot look at me with
your honest eyes and say that"
Il cannot marry you," she repeated
miserably. Its bad enough, isn't it?
Don't make it worse. Some day, be-
fore long, you will be glad"
Louise! Oh, I don't believe it,"
1T is true" she said sadly. "Halsey,
you must not try to see me again. AS
soon as l can, l am going away from
here-where you are all so much kind
er than l deserve. And whatever you
hear about me, try to think as well
of me as you can. I am going to mar
ry-another man. How you must hate
me-hate mel"
| could hear Halsey cross the room
to the window. Then, after a pause.
he went back to her again. I could
hardly sit still; I wanted to go in
and give her good shaking.
Then it's all over" he was saying
with a long breath. The plans we
made together, the hopes, the-all of
it-over! Well, I'll not be a baby,
and I'll give you up the minute you
say I don't love you and l do love
some one else!'"
Il can not say that she breathed,
but, very soon, I shall marry-the
other man."
l could hear Halsey's low trium.
plant laugh.
Il defy him." he said. Sweetheart,
as long as you are for me, I am not
afraid"
The wind slammed the door between
the two rooms just then, and I could
hear nothing more. although I moved
my chair quite close. After q dis.
Greet interval, / went into the other
room and found Louise alone. She
was staring with sad eyes at the
cherub painted on the ceiling over the
bed, and because she looked tired
did not disturb her.