Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1910-08-12

and this woman and the love I had
for her. / have no words to describe
the emotion which shook me, the
passion which flowed in my veins
was as II a sudden miracle had been
wrought IN me a sublimation OF
everything unworthy; IT was as
though i had climbed a mountain
peak, n come out under the clear
stars. In the thin. pure air. with
nothing between myself and God. /
have never again reached a height
quite 80 sublime. or experienced a
bliss quite 30 poignant.
I 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 away from me and
seemed to shake herself. as though
awaking from a dream; and O. cold
breath blew upon me and ], too, awoke.
The spell was broken. the vision ended,
the sublime moment gone.
Indeed" h 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 your lack of practice. I
tremble to think what you will be IN a
years time"
Il shall be Just what I am now" I
GN~AA a 6N AASA ia
You have sounded the height and
depth OF my eloquence."
"And I am to believe all this"
IF you do not, mademoiselle, It 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 g." / answered coldly. II
remember only hat she had white hair
and q red nose"
She burst into a peal OF laughter
which shook her from head to foot,
and which l 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 have 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'll Unless, indeed, she has al
ready lost her heart TO some handsome
fellow OF Poitiers."
IT trust not" / said. II trust not"
And whyf" she demanded sharply.
Il would not wish her to be unhappy.
also"
She sat a moment silent, at that.
You mean that, sven IL she has,"
she asked, at last, you will hold her
to the be~trothal?"
ooh. no." / answered. instantly. "she
would be free-that Is, IL she chose to
be free"
IF she chose to Der"
Her father would hold her to her
OATH I said.
And you believe he would have a
right to do that?" she cried. wheeling
upon me hereeiy. "You believe that
obedience, to force her into this mar
riage, to make her miserable"
Yes" l answered. after a moments
thought, Il am sure he would. The
law Is very clear"
"Oh, the lawl" she cried, impatiently.
II was not thinking OF the law care
nothing for the lava poor, stumbling
they do not understand Would
he have the right7"
"Yes," / repeated, "I 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" ! answered. feeling
myself on firm ground at last. His
honor is OF more Importance to him
than anything else on earth"
"Honorl" she echoed. contemptuous-
ly. An empty word men brighten
women with.
mol" / cried. "A rock to cling to In
time OF storm. even as I am clinging
TO It 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 worne must bow in all humility"
Even as you are doing at this mo-
ment.' i retorted.
She laughed at that and the cloud
vanished from her face.
Thank you" she said. After all.
I was fitting at wfndmills. There is
small danger that your betrothed has
More probably, she is guarding II sa-
credly for you. A girl has not a mans
opportunities for falling In love-nor q
mans formations Resides-ch can
% rank with YOU. Tor / reel almost
like your sister!-permit me to tell
you, monsieur, that I think you a very
handsome fellow, quite capable of con
soling her for the loss OF any girlish
flannel"
/ did not like the words, nor the
tones In which they were uttered. They
lacked that sympathy, that considera-
ton, which I felt / had the right to
expect from her-which any other
woman would have 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"
sYou will pardon me-" she retorted,
her face fairly beaming. IF I fail to see
the situation In such tragic light as
you. 1t has for me ar element OF hu-
NOR"
1T is fortunate that /, at least, con-
tinue 20 amuse YOU" / 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, I am battered by your pas
sion, since II proves that. under certain
favorable circumstances. / am not de-
void OF attractions. But I should be
extremely foolish 20 take II seriously
more especially since you ara already
~betrothed."
"You are right / assented. bitterly.
Il am q coward to try to entangie
YOU"
-Oh, you viii not entangie me-" she
answered easily. Il shall take good
care 10 keep a tight grip on my heart.
But all that does not prevent me liking
YOU immensely, M de- Tavernay. l have
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