The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1910-06-30

I ride through the forest ii. the wind
and storm and the rains beat upon me
and I shout and sing, and my horse Is
like wild thing under me-"
She gasped at the change in him.
Small as he was and seemingly insig.
nificant, she felt that the hand with
the pointed finger nails could hold a
horse with grip of steel. She felt
that he might hold a woman, too, only
the hand would then be gloved in vel.
vet.
But even as the thought flashed
through her, he turned to her.
"And II there 10 q difference" he
said, between these men and me, II
is the difference Of my greater love.
What do they know Of romance? They
would take you to house in the city
and you would go to dinners and teas
and teas and receptions. And in sum.
mer you would do the same thing in a
cottage that should be called palace.
But would take you to my castle in
the forest. And you should ride with
me, or sit by the fire in the great
rooms, while the wind blew outside,
and you and alone, within, dreamed
together"
"Oh," she -breathed, "life would be
wonderful-lived that way"
But even as she spoke the crowd Of
the morning was upon them, and the
tall, dark young man claimed her.
There's the motor-b boat ride on the
lake." he said.
So she went away, and when the
tall dark young man had her on the
lake he said: For heavens sake,
Irene, what do you see in that little
MANI"
She fared up at that. "He's q
man, Harold Manning" she said.
His love for me is something deeper
than the rest of you give me. You
condescend, but he reverences. He
| would hold me to the highest that is
in me-"
Harold laughed. "You are good
enough" he said, "as it is, and you
couldn't respect such a man."
Couldn't II" she asked, curiously.
Sometimes think he is bigger
man than you, Harold"
He is fortune hunter" Harold
remarked.
His words struck her like a blow.
Perhaps she had been foolish. Per-
haps the love that was beginning to
grow in her heart had been called
forth by man who was only acting
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. she put the
thought from her until that night.
But when she was in bed she lay
awake long time, evolving a plan.
1t was week later that she met
Harold in the corridor. Il have had a
letter" she said. Come on the porch
and I'll tell you about it."
He went, and she gave him hasty
summing up. THE mine from which
| have been getting my income has
stopped paying" she said. Il shan't
have a. penny when things are set
tied"
The big man stared at her. ooh,
but look here, Irene" he said, you
don't mean that it's all gomez"
"All!" Her eyes studied his paling
face curiously.
"By Jove," he said under his breath.
"By Jove.''
Presently he recovered himself a
little, and said, awkwardly, eff there
is anything that can do
Still she studied him. "A week
ago." she said, you offered me your
hand and heart-today I need you
more than have ever needed you"
He broke in nervously. "Of course
but you see my affairs are in some
thing of muddle."
Il see." Her voice cut. "You could
marry me only when could take care
Of you?"
"No-not that-only together We
might have made things 60"
Il understand" Her eyes went be-
yond him to where the little count
was ascending the steps.
She stood up and hailed him, eager
ly. II wanted-to tell you," she said,
somewhat breathlessly when he
reached her, "that-that lam going
away"
He looked from her flushed face to
Harold's gloomy one. "Why?".
IL have lost my money" She
found the fiction a little difficult as
his clear eyes met her. "Some invest
ments have failed
A sudden radiance Illuminated him.
"Ah, what difference does it make? ?"
he asked. II have enough for you and
for me-"
Harold interrupted with short