Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1910-08-05
CHAPTER VII. (continued.)
promise that freely"

Yes. / win keep t." I said. II
have the memory OF this night TO
live on" and my heart warmed at
the thought. Always I shall have
She flushed slightly and her eyes
softened and wayered. but only for an
instant.
"And what of your loyalty to your
b~etrothed?" she querisd. with biting
scorn.
But even that failed to wound me.
20 pierce the garment of JOY In which
] was nee again enyeloped.
1T shall never again be broken" !
said. But nothing she can do win
change the past"
You mean you would not have it
~changed?"
moi" 1 cried. mo! 1t is the dear
I glory in IT. l shall keep 1t always
warm against my heart"
DO you know, I suspect you are
something OF a poet NJ. dc TavSrnay?"
ehe said, after a moments inspection
OF my face under half closed lids.
"Oh, mol" / protested. 1T is owe that
makes me appear So"
Again she contemplated me for q
moment, a puzzling smile playing about
her lips.
Come. monsieur" she said suddenly,
II am going 10 be generous. Sit down
again. You see, I have faith In you.
Besides, l wish 10 keep my friend, II I
Tor me-though, / repeat, II Is only for
the moment"
You do not really think so" I in
corrupted; but let IL pass"
Besides, you are very young"
Not so young as you, mademoiselle."
"Oh, I am immensely older. ! am
an elder sister who must take you in
hand and form you"
"Oh, everybody wishes TO form me-"
j cried impatiently. II have no desire
70 be formed will form myself"
Who wished 10 form your" she de-
manded, quickly, with a peremptoriness
that hstonished me.
why. old Dubosq," I answered. THE
Yellow that halted me Just out of
Tours"
She 5reathed a sigh OF relief which
Astonished me even more than had her
question.
He was a man, that fellow I add
Cd. should like TO meet him again
O dashing rascal"
-of course-he iattered you" she
said coolly. Il know what he aid to
you as well as though l had heard him
say IT"
What did he say?"
He said, An you need, my friend.
Is q little more polish, and you will be
q perfect devil with the ladies!'
1 stared at her, my mouth open. for
q a caught Dubosq's information to
q shade,
And then ne ieered." she added,
and twisted his m~ustaches. But the
most disgusting thing is that you be-
ileveu MIN, and you smirked and would
nave twisted your mustaches too, but
enat you are too young to have any.
On, men are ell alike-foul. despicable
creatures! And then you come here
riding very erect those words repeat
ing themselves over and over In your
bosom-and you pretend" She broke
on suddenly, and turned upon me fur
Iously. Are you In the habit of at
lacking young women in that fashion 70
she demanded.
mo. mademoiselle," I stammered,
from this terrific attack.
which touched every joint In my ar
NOR. Il have never before kissed a
young woman"
She looked at me again, caught her
breath, her hand against her heart:
and then she blushed n smiled and
her eyes grew very tender. BY some
miracle / had found the answer that
turned away wrath.
There, M. de Tavernay," she said,
holding u her hand impulsively, Il
forgive you from my heart. We shall
be friends. And forget that nonsense
/ was talking"
I bent M kissed the fingers, so
warm. so soft, so fragrant.
If | might have a pledge OF IT. /
said. with sudden boldness. That
flower at o u breast"
"N~onsensel" she cried. You need
no pledge OF It. And now" she added,
II must be going in. Madame will be
terribly scandalized."
40h, do not go" / protested, and re-
. afa&A he's 1n F~a Ia Z -
may never again be alone together
certainly never like this, In an enchant-
ed garden, with the moon looking down
upon us. full of counsel and encour-
agement."
"The moon has never been noted for
the wisdom OF its counsel" she re-
torted.
But give me a little longer" I
pleaded, trembling at the thought of
parting from her. sit here beside me
and let me look at you. All, I already
know every feature, every curl OF the
hair. 1t is not at that I wish to look,
but at the soul In you eyes. / know
you do not love me, and yet II seems to
me that your soul and mine were des-
tined for each other. I cannot really
believe that we are to be kept apart.
] hear within myself q voice which saws
that there can be no happiness for me
apart from you i ask for nothing
more IMAM 10 SIT on mere forever with
you beside me, your hand In mine"
She leaned away from me into the
corner OF the seat, and I fancied she
shiyered slightly.
are cold ! said, renorsesul,y.
II have been ~thoughtless. The air Is
chilly and q mist Is rising from the
river May / get my cloak for ?"
mo, Nj. de Tavernay." she answered,
rising TO her feet somewhat unsteadily.
al must really leave you. Remember.
we are to start for Poitiers in the
morning. and ] have many things TO
do"
II would have been selfish to protest
hearfless to expose her longer TO the
dampness OF the night.
A least" I said. II shall ride by
fhc window OF the coach tomorrow.
where I can still see you"
YES she laughed. and I think that
i can promise that madame will even
hermit you TO speak TO me, If you are
very good. Come"
i walked beside her along the grav-
eied path, drinking In her beauty, ex-
nsfin9 In my passion. pressing to my
heart the cross which tore me. Past
the fomer We went. past the hedge
which framed the garden. I paused Tor
4 last look back at ff-ah, / had spent