The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1910-08-04

ano this m and the love I had
for her. l have no words to describe
the emotion which shook me, the
passion which flowed in my veins
was as If a sudden miracle had been
wrought in me a sublimation OF
everything unworthy; it was as
though ! had climbed a mountain
peak, and come out under the clear
stars. in the thin. pure air, with
nothing between myself and God.
have never again reached a height
quite so sublime, or experienced a
bliss quite so poignant.
l was too blinded for the moment by
my own emotion to see my companion
clearly, only her starry eyes l saw, and
her parted lips. and her clasped hands.
Then h drew way from me and
seemed to shake herself, Is though
awaking from a dream; and a cold
breath blew upon me and /, too, awoke.
The spell was broken, the vision ended,
the sublime moment one
Indeed" she said, her voice not
wholly steady, but her eyes instinct
with mischief, 1T seems to me that
you are fairly eloquent, M. de Taver-
nay. despite our lack Of practice. I
tremble to think what you will be in a
years time"
Il shall be just what l am now" I
said d~oggedly. wounded at her tone.
You have sounded the height and
depth of my eloquence."
And I am to believe all this?"
IF you do not, mademoiselle, 1t Is
not because 1t is not true"
But your betrothed," she persisted;
has she no attractions?"
Il have not seen her since she was
a child Of s." l answered coldly. Il
remember only that h had white hair
and a red nose"
She burst into a peal of laughter
which shook her from head to foot,
and which I thought exceedingly ILL
timed.
Many children have" she said, when
she could speak articulately. Il should
not allow such little things as those to
prejudice me against her. No doubt
her hair Is darker now and that red
ness of the nose may nave been only
temporary. Perhaps her memory Of
you is no more complimentary"
THAT is very likely" I admitted.
Think, then" she cried, how agree
ably she will be surprised when she
sees you! Unless, indeed, she has al
ready lost her heart to some handsome
fellow of Poitiers.'
II trust not" I said. 81 trust not"
And why?" she demanded sharply.
I would not wish her to be unhappy,
also"
She sat a moment silent, at that.
You mean that, eve If she has"
she asked, at last, you will hold her
to the betrothal?"
"Oh, no." l answered., instantly, "she
would be free-that is. If she chose to
be free"
IF she chose to be?"
Her father would hold her to hsc
OATH" 1 said.
And you believe he would have a
right to do that?" she cried, wheeling
upon me fiercely. You believe that
he would have a right to compel her
obedience, to force her into this mar
riage. to make her miserable?"
Yes" I answered. after a moments
thought. II am sure he would. The
law is very clear"
"Oh. the law!" she cried, impatiently.
Il was not thinking Of the law care
nothing for the lava poor, stumbling
device of stupid men, whose meaning
even they do not understand! Would
he have the right?"
Yes" repeated, II believe he would.
He has passed his word"
And his word is Of more Importance
than his daughters happiness" she
demanded, her eyes blazing.
Undoubtedly" I answered, feeling
myself on firm ground at last. His
honor is. Of more Importance to him
than anything else on earth"
Honor" she echoed. contemptuous-
ly. A empty word men frighten
women with"
MOI" l cried. "A rock to cling to in
time of storm. even as I am clinging
to 1t now"
She sat for a moment looking at me
darkly.
You men are all alike" she said, at
last. Lords Of creation, before whom
we women must bow in all humility"
Even as you are doing at this mo-
ment," / retorted.
She laughed at that and the cloud
vanished from her face.
Thank you," she said. After all,
/ was fitting at windmills. There is
small danger that o u betrothed has
given her heart into another's keeping.
More probably, she is guarding 1t sa-
credly for o A girl has not a mans
opportunities for falling In love-nor a
mans temptations. Besides-oh, / can
be frank with you, for I feel almost
like your sister!-permit me to tell
you, monsieur, that / think you a very
handsome fellow, quite capable Of con-
soling her for the loss of any girlish
flannel"
l did not like the words. nor the
tones in which they were uttered. They
lacked that sympathy. that considera-
ton, which l felt l had the right to
expect from her-which any other
woman would nave given me. Per-
! haps, too, my vanity was wounded at
my very evident failure to touch her
heart.
you are not treating me fairly,
mademoiselle," I said, nor kindly"
You will pardon me-" sine retorted,
her face fairly beaming, IF / fail to sec
the situation in such tragic light as
you. 1t has for me an element Of hu-
NOR"
"Tt Is fortunate that /. at least, con-
tinue to muse you." l said grimly.
Yes, there are not many people who
amuse me. Besides, / am quite certain
that, a year hence, when you look back
at this night, you also will be amused.
Naturally, l am fiattered by your pas
sion, since 1t roves that. under certain
favorable circumstances, l am not de-
void of attractions. But l should De
extremely foolish to take 1t seriously
more especially since you are already
betrothed."
you are right" l assented, bitterly.
Il am a coward to try to entangle
you"
'Oh, you will not entangle me-" she
answered easily. Il shall take good
care to keep a tight grip on my heart.
But all that does not prevent me liking
you immensely, M de Tavernay. have
often Wished" she went on, gazing at
me from under half closed lashes In a
me provoking fashion. that 1t were