Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1910-10-21

az safe az could be hoped for, I made
my way back to II and walked soft
~ to the dark figure on the grass.
She was lying on her side. her head
pillowed on her arm. and as I bent
above her to make sure that she was
protected from the chill Of the night,
l knew by her regular breathing that
she slept. That sleep, so peaceful
and trusting, consecrated the little
glade, hallowed it, transformed 1t In
to such a temple that I dared lay me
down only upon its margin, as though
1t were a holy place.
Long l lay staring up at the
heavens, wondering II. I might indeed
hope to win this superb creature.
| weaving a golden future which we
trod arm in arm. To possess her, to
have her always at my side, the mo-
ther Of my children-the thought shook
me with a delicious trembling. But
at last cold reason snatched me down
from this empyrean height. l told my
self | was a fool, and so turned on
my side, closed my Eyes resolutely, and
in the end sank to sleep.
l awoke with the full sun staring me
in the face and sat up with a start to
find my companion smiling at nae
across the little amphitheater.
HtOu AllOA Illl1Sp HlOllSlSuLB StAo Az
Good morning." l responded and
rose and went toward her.
In some magical way she he'd re-
moved the stains Of travel; to my eyes
she seemed to have stepped but this
moment from her bath. A sudden
loathing Of my own foul and hideous
clothing came over me. How. in that
guise, could she regard me with any
thing but disgust?
"MademOiSellp RaId "I am
ashamed to stand here before you in
this clear light, for you are sweet and
fresh as the morning. while L"
Choose the harder part" she inter-
rupted, "in order to serve me better. !
can understand what you are suffering
and l thank you for it."
But to be hideous~
ooh, l do not look at the Clothes"
she said; "and as for the face
"WeIl," 1 prompted, as for the
face"
She stole a glance at me.
LAS for the face" she continued, you
will remember that l bathed it last
night, monsieur, while / was attempt
ing to revive you, and 80 it is nearly as
attractive as nature made It,"
"a poor consolation" l retorted.
Well" she said, looking at 1t critic
ally. II confess l have seen handsomer
ones"
Yes" I encouraged. as she hest
tated.
But never one I liked better" she
added, a heavenly shyness in her eyes.
"Mademoiselle," 1 said, suddenly TAX
ing my courage IN my hands, last
night, while / was unconscious, I
dreamed such a beautiful dream. !
wonder If it was true?"
She glanced again at me hastily and
her cheeks were very red.
Dreams are never true" she said,
decidedly. They go by contraries.
a little before you venture forth
again"
But the dream" l insisted, refusing
to be diverted. Shall 1 tell you what
it was?"
II have never been interested in
Dreams" she responded, calmly, and
brushed from her skirt an impercepti-
BILE speck Of dust.
But perhaps this one"
Not even this one, 1 am sure. How
long are we to remain here. NJ. de Tav
erany?
I surrendered in despair before the
GOODNESS Of her glance.
You are to remain till evening" I
replied. but I must go at once My
first task will be to get some food.
Hunger is an enemy which always re-
turns to the attack, no matter how
oftep 1t is overcome"
And so is a foe to be respected and
appeased, rather than despised," h
added, smiling; 1T came across some
such observation, In a book I was read
Ing not long ago. 1t had a most anus
ing old man In it called the Partridge"
who vas always hungry"
II can sympathiZe with him." I said.
MY own stomach feels particularly
empty at this moment must find
something to fill it-and yours, too"
But I fear for you,' she protested.
we can get through the day without
straving. I should prefer to try, rather
than that you should again run such
risks as you did last night"
Those risks were purely the result
of my own folly" 1 pointed out. 81
shall not be such a fool q second time.
There Is O. village down yonder and I
shall breakfast at the inn like n 9TH
Ell traveller. II was my haste last night
which aroused suspicion. Besides" I
added, II doubt If anyone could follow
even me by daylight without my per-
ceiving IL. You may have to wait an
hour"
TT will not be hunger which dis
tresses me-" she interrupted, earnest
ly, but fear for your safety. Let liz
do without the food"
TT is true we shouldn't starve," 7
admitted; "but for tonight we must be
strong, ready for anything. A fast Is
bad preparation for the kind of work
we have before us. Besides. I must
find where we are, how the republican
forces are disposed ana the nearest
point at which we may find friends. we
must guard against the possibility of
laundering haphazard into our enemies
and so failing at the last moment"
~-
tContiaued Next Week.)
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