Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1910-10-07

| W. SNA SNo
you don't care-that you don't knoW
what love is-then l shall never again
speak to you-of love-or anything.
mo; I don't know-the song. / can
sing fever again!"
as 1t because you are afrald-ls INA
It? You can't wound me now by any
thing that you may say; but II you wiz
sing me the song and then tell me thai
your word will always be no, then
shall go away, Zee, and l shall never
trouble o again."
She remembered, as she llstehed
with her hca bowed over her hanos
the first time she had heard MS voice
that was deep and strong, 1t was only
a year ago, in Mrs. Cars
room.
III rose II walked away and look
out through the window upon the rain
swept street; she saw the wet leaves
clinging in the walk; it was a desoia1e
picture; and something of the outer
color, the change of the year. toucheo
her.
Il can't sing your song-any song
and she turned to him suddenly win
laughter in her eyes. My throat IL
very painful" she added and laughed
'Zee"-and he drew still nearer. so
that he could have put out his hand
and touched her.
Please" she begged. grave again.
please forget all about the sons-and
me! I wish you to-very much. There
are reasons-a great many reasons
why you must forget all about the song
you liked, and everything that may
suggest to you Won't o believe me
-please?" -...
t.vrIz-1 -~-sA Lo rooSnyr that
make any difference"
You can be kind II you WILL she
said, "and merciful."
There is a reason; there is myself.
I'm not fit to call your name or to
stand near you. I lave little to offer;
but I love you, Zee"-and the sincerity
of his plea touched her, SO that she did
speak for a moment, but stood
staring at the rain-beaten pane with
eyes thai saw nothing.
You could spare me-if you would"
she said.
II would give my life for you." he
answered. steadily, unyieldingly. But
I can't let you put me aside-for any
idle fears or doubts. You must tell ME
what troubles you; you have not told
me tina you did not care. I shall not
60 until you tell me hat 1t is that
weighs against me. ! hav a right to
one or the other"
She looked at him suddenly; it would
be easy to say that she did not care:
but her eyes filed at the thought. and
she turned to the window again. The
beat Of hoofs upon the hard street
struck her with a sense Of the worlds
vastness and the wind in the cedars
sang like a mournful prophet OF the
coming winter. She could not tell him
that he meant nothing to her. when he
meant 30 nearly all; but If she should
set up a barrier, 1t might be enough
and he would go.
you know we nav had trouble
that my father has met with losses
and he needs me. My duty is here;
that must be a sufficient reason"
mo" he said. instantly, that is not
a reason at all. Zee. You are doing for
your father all that you could be asked.
to do-and I should not ask you to do
less"
II must do all can" she said.
must be no question Of loyalty.
And now"-she turned to him smil-
ing-"its very disagreeable outside:
let us be cheerful indoors"
"Zee," he began. gravely, I'm not 20
e8Slly OlSLIklSSCu dS' l1kbl.- i uSE60 0OmG.
thing that l want to say, that I
love you. I knew months ago that you
were showing q cheerful face to the
world while you suffered"
please, oh. pleased" and she lifted
her hands to her face. TT IL not kind.
You must not!"
You made light Of things that YOU
knew were good; you said things often
you did not mean: but you wore
brave and strong and nne. I under
it. zee. But now tina 10 all out
Of the way. There Is no use in think
ing about It any more"
No; but you must know that I talk
to you az I did becauseLoh. because
I hated goodness! I tried to hate It.
It was because-father-but I mustn't
speak Of It."
7 understand all about that, Zee"
But I am very old"-she went on,
pityingly: 7 am very old. and my girl
hood-it all went away from me last
ysAr-and every day I had 10 act .
part. and I did 20 many foolish things
you must have thought-
''Tha I loved you. Zee" he declared,
refusing to meet her on the ground she
sought
The sweetest thing I n the world.
she said. must be-not to know-of
evil: not to know!" and there was the
.rent-up heartache Of a year In the sigh
that broke from her.
yes; 1t was all too bad. Zee: but
we'll md better things ahead-rm
sure OF It"
She was not ready to look into the
future. Her min was still busy with
the year that had just ended.
Il said 20 many things that 1 did
o mean. sometimes. and I was hard
on you. when you meant to be 30 Kind:
but I'm sorry now" MS.
You were q little hard on me now
then, but ] think I liked It Some
day I sha laugh about /" =
hopeI know-you will be . suc-
cessful man." she said. slowly. and
now leSus be good friends.
She turned as though to sit down
T.,d be Quit of q disagreeable topic for
ever but he drew q step nearer and
took her hands.
"zee"-and the smile was All gone
frcm his eyes-'.there isn't any such
easy escape for Your reasons are
no reasons. You have said all that
mere 4is to say. haven't you1 But you
Fnavenss said that you do not love me.
a you Will say that ! shall go away,
ana II that II 30 I must know Il now
. 4 ~strusgied to free her hands. bu.
ne held them tight Sho drew away
from MIN. her face very whtte.
suddenly q raised her yes and
looked 1t him.
You must Let mo ~ rans4 fell 49,