The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1910-10-13

- safe ~ could be hoped for, made
my way back to It and walked soft.
ly to the dark figure on the grass
She was lying on her side, her head
pillowed on her arm. and as bent
above her to make sure that she was
protected from the chill OF the night
I knew by her regular breathing that
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 lay staring up at the
heavens. wondering IL might indeed
hope TO win this superb creature
Weaving golden future which we
trod arm in arm. To possess her, to
have her always at my side, the mo-
Their OF my children-the thought shook
me with \ delicious trembling. But
at last cold reason snatched me down
from this empyrean height. told my.
self / was a fool, and so turned on
my side, closed my eyes resolutely, and
in the end sank to sleep.
I awoke with the full sun staring me
find my companion smiling at me
across the little amphitheater.
Good morning, monsieur" she said
Good morning." / responded and
rose and went toward her.
In some magical way, she had re-
moved the stains of travel; to my eyes
she seemed to have stepped but this
momen 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?
'Mademoiselle," said, II am
ashamed to stand here before you in
this clear light, Ior you are sweet and
fresh as the morning. while T."
Choose the harder part" she inter-
rrpted, in order to serve me better.
Gun understand what you are suffering
and thank you for it,
But to be hideous--''
"Oh, I do not look at the clothes.
she sand, ''and as for the face"
Well l prompted. as for the
face"
She stole glance at me.
LAS for the face" she continued, you
will remember that bathed 1t last
night, monsieur, while l was attempt
ing to revive you, and so it is nearly az
attractive as nature made it."
"A poor eonsolation!" / retorted.
We'll" she said, looking at 1t critic
ally, Il confess l have seen handsomer
ones"
Yes" encouraged. rs she hesi-
tated.
But never one liked better" she
added, heavenly shyness In her eyes.
"Mademoiselle," said. suddenly taxi
ing my courage in my hands, last
night. while / was unconscious, ]
dreamed such I beautiful dream. ]
wonder IL It was true?'
She glanced again at me hastily and
her ch.ekc were very red.
Dreams are never true" she said,
Ixy nnv rtvoy txaa
You will have to bedaub four face
little before you venture forth
again."
but the dream" insisted. refusing
to be diverted. shall I 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"
mot even this one, am sure. How
long are we to remain here, M. de Tav-
erany?
l surrendered in despair before the
coldnes3 Of her glance.
You are to remain till evening""
replied. But / must go at once. My
first task will be to get some food.
turns to the attack, no matter how
often it Is overcome"
"And SO Is a foe to be respected and
appeased. rather than despised," she
added, smiling: II came across some
such observation in a book was read
ing not long ago. 1t had most anus
ing old man in 1t called the Partridge
who was always hungry"
II can sympathize with him." ! said.
my own stomach feels particularly
empty at this moment-I must find
something to fill it--and yours, too"
But fear for you," she protested.
IT wish you would not go. am sure
we can get through the day without
straving. 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" I pointed out. II
shall not be such q fool a second time.
There is a village down yonder and I
shall breakfast at the inn like any 9TH
er traveller. 1t was my haste last night
which aroused suspicion. Besides" I
added, 81 doubt If anyone could follow
even me by daylight without my per-
ceiving 1t. You may have to wait an
hour"
.'It will not be hunger, which dis
tresses me-" she interrupted, earnest
ly, "but fear for your safety. Let us
do without the food"
''It is true we shouldn't starve."
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. / must
find where we are, how the republican
forces are disposed and the nearest
must guard against the possibility Of
laundering haphazard into our enemies.
and so failing at the last moment"