The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1910-11-24
CHAPTER xviii.
The Guerdon.


For a moment I did not see her.
then I caught the simmer of her
gown from the erbrasure of a win
dow, where she stood staring absent
ly down into the street below, and
there loated to me a faint perfume
recollection. I turned blindly, expect
ing her father to announce me, but
found with establishment that he had
closed the door and left me alone with
her. A terrible shyness n indecision
seized me. To advance to her boldly,
to take her hand-that was the lovers
part, and yet I felt myself utterly un-
able to fulfill it. All what a horrible
chance that she, too, should use that
perfumel I had not reckoned upon
that!
"Couragei Courage! Couragei" I
repeated to myself, and touched the
note warm against my heart; but in
this supreme crisis, It's power failed
me-.
Whatever my cowardice, I could not
permit her to suffer because Of it, so
I gripped my courage to me and ad-
vanced to her side.
"Mademoiselle," I began, stammer-
Ing.
She turned suddenly and faced me
and I stood struck to stone, staring. not
able to believe my eyes, for it was she
-Charlotte-my Lowell
"You!" I murmured hoarsely at last.
You'll"
Sc I stool where 1 was, the cold
sweat upon my brow, looking foolish
enough, as / have since been told, and
me. That she did not turn surprised
me more and more, for surely she
must have heard the opening and
closing of the door; then, as I saw
her more clearly, l perceived that
she. too, was agitated, for she car
rted her Handkerchief to her lips once
or twice with a hand anything but
steady.
The blood was coming and gong
in her cheeks; her EYE were lumin-
GUS with a strange fire. She held out
a trembling hand to me, n when ]
kissed 1t, 1 found 1t cold as ice.
did you think 1t very heartless OF
me to desert you. M. de Tavernay?'
she questioned.
"At first, I could scarcely believe
it." l stammered, still staring at her
but afterwards I saw that you meant
to be kind. l should not have won the
battle if you a stayed"
And you did win It'll" She cried, hei
eyes glowing.
rose leaves" I added, hoarsely.
IT found them-in your BOSOM" she
said, her color deepening. Il though
-perhaps-you would like to have
them"
Yes" l said, yes then stopped
[ looking ct her. "Rut one may lose 8
battle even after winning it." / warned
her. II fear I am losing mine. 70,
are trusting me too far, as you dit
once before. Do you remember? an
my blood glowed at the recollection.
DON'T she said, and turned away
is"
I hesitated, looking about me.
could not say the words.
Your betrothed?" she finished, turn,
Ing back, her eyes cleaning in the oil
manner. You are longing for her
then?"
without a rock to tie to-" II said
as calmly as I could, 81 shall be sweep
away in another moment, beyond hop
of rescue. I hav never seen you s.
beautiful! / nav never loved you
Sine stopped me with a gesture.
IN. de Tavernay." she said, with i'm
r-ess!re gra pity at is my painful dut.
to tell you that Mdile. de Benseval n
longer exists"
She is deadi" I murmured dazedIy
"Oh, not IN the least! She wa
never more thoroughly alive than a
this movent.
i Then she is married." j cried,
great j.aA hTta- fro usF 1eart. I"
!. 5oye aaotAer-sh