The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1910-10-27

Its the first chance I've had TO
thank you for the dance we didn't fin
ish.'' said he. noting with thrill the
tremor Of the little hand that fluttered
for that moment in his grasp.
do you think it a thing to be thank
full for? ! dent
81 wouldn't have lost it for a months
pay"
How very much more than that Won
may lose.' said she. do you think I
could have danced with you if | had
dreamed what what you were do.ngy''
You were dancing like a dream"
said he. do you mean l was dancing
like nightmare"
You were doing what was sure to
involve you in grave trouble. and it
wasn't kind to me. Mr.. Lanier."
I'm all contrition for the anxiety it
caused you. Miss Miriam, and for abb
selutely nothing else. l wish you to
know that did nothing unusual Colo
mel Button was angry with me for a
very different matter"
One moment she was silent. Then,
1
efort-a CULVER that he saw and that
i set his heart to bounding madly-with
| lowered voice she hurried on: And
that. too. involves me or mine. And
you"-then uplifting her swimming
| eyes-''you would not tell
| And then the barrier Of his pride was
swept away.
Miriam he cried, his hands eager
ly seeking and Selling hers. only faint
ly resisting. There was no need to
tell" He was lifting her hands to his
heart. and as he drew them he was
drawing her. She had to come. her
long, curling lashes sweeping the soft
| cheeks, now once more blushing like
the dawn. ''Oh, Mr.. Lanier!' he heard
her murmur as though pleading and
warning. Then his dark eyes. glowing
and rejoiceful, fastened on hers. and
quick and fervent came the next
words There is only one thing that
need be told-that must be told. be-
cause I've just been trimming over
with it all these weeks" (ah. how the
bonny head was dropping now, but
dropping toward HIM. land now I can
keep it back no longer Miriam. Mir
lam, love you'll love you! Have you
nothing to tell me?"
One instant of thrilling suspense.
then with g sob yelling up from her
burdened heart the barrier of her pride
and reserve went as his had gone a
moment ago. "Oh, you know-you
know it! Who hasn't known it since
that awful night?' she cried and then
found herself folded. weeping uncon-
trollably. almost deliriously, in his
| arms, his lips raining kisses on the
warm, wet cheeks. A moment he held
her closely wrapped to his heart, then
gradually, yet with irresistible power.
ing, exquisite face so that he could
feast his eyes upon her beauty. Then
with joy unutterable his lips sank upon
the soft. quivering mouth in the first
love kiss she had ever known. and
| their troubles vanished into heaven at
the touch.
Mrs. Stannard. you were jewel and
a general Now. how about the ma
jor?
"For conference with the judge ad-
vocate Of the department." read .
order that summoned him. and from
that conference forth went our dough-
ty dragon in search of conquest 1T
Is understood" said the officials. that
you know the circumstances under
which Lieutenant Lanier became re-
sponsible for the money borrowed at
Laramie by or for that young Mr..
LOwndeS. also that you know him"
There were other matters. but that
came up first. Stannard knew and
was quite willing to set forth with a
plain clothes member of the Omaha
force on a mission for and from head
quarters. He found it all known to
the police Lowndes had run through
the purse of his eastern kindred two
years before. Lowndes had been trans
ported to a cattle ranch near Fort
Gushing in hopes of permanent bene
fit. but speedily neglected the range
for the more congenial society of the
fort. He was well born and bred. He
went on the campaign for excitement
and took to gambling among the
scouts and packers and sergeants. for
the officers had soon cold shouldered
him. But he was college man. secret
society man, as had been Lieutenant
Lanier before entering the Point
Since the campaign Lowndes had
been going from bad to worse. had
gambled away the money sent him by
his relatives. and they were now sore
~ anxious about him. Moreover, he
was needed as a material witness for
the defense in the case Of Lieutenant
Lanier.
And even as the story was being told
there came bounding down the broad
stairway from above slender. well
built youth. 1t was the erect, jaunty
carriage that caught the majors eye.
In build. bearing and gait the APP
preaching stranger was Bob Lanier
all over.
"Rawdonv' he cried.
A wave of color. it is true, swept in
stantly to the young fellows temples.
Quickly he whirled about; courteously
he raised his cap.
II beg the majors pardon" said he