Golden Valley chronicle. (Beach, Billings County, N.D.) 1905-1916, 1910-07-01

0ilNei ueSceuueu from luC DON ana got
into the carriage. Frightened, she Or
dcrcd him out, but he forced cloth
over her mouth and nose. and that
was all she remembered.
1t was all plain to me now. A rob.
Der had persuaded the coachman to
let him ride. had given him drugged
cigar and had then administered ether
or chloroform to the lady inside and
robbed her This explained her ask
Ing If was the man who had been
beside her.
The lady on coming to herself was in
much better condition than the
coachman. The drug used in his case
had undoubtedly been different from
that used on her.
Il think you must be gentleman"
she said. "judging from the tone Of
your voice"
Il return the compliment. Your
voice is not only that Of a lady, but is
very soft and sweet"
1T seems to me that have heard
yours BEFORE" she said after pause,
Il was going to say the same of
yours"
I'VE may be acquainted"
Quite possibly"
"Who are your
BY this time 1t struck me that this
was quite an adventure. I was not
disposed to spoil it by giving up my
identity too soon. gave a fictitious
name.
I'm disappointed" she said. II was
sure l knew you. and I would have
felt so relieved If you had turned out
to be one Of my friends"
Il assure you of my protection. But
you have not given me your own
name."
Ihat Is not necessary since | have
learned that we are not acquainted.
wish could see you. Have you no
way Of making a light?"
Il had only one match, and l have
used that. do not need to see YOU
to know that you are young and beau
tiful."
Il am young, but fright. am
pttted with smallpox scars. l suppose
! needn't ask you if you are hand
some?"
Il am considered the homeliest man
in my set"
She had so far recovered her equa.
nimity to give little laugh.
DO you live hereabout?" she asked.
Yes: in Rosedale. have been to a
musicale in Bloomington"
And l have been to dance there.9
"At the Springers'?"
eyes. Do you know them?"
Il do. was invited to their dance,
but had previously accepted an invita-.
ton at the Deerings'."
I'VE know the same people. then"
"And you are reassured?"
Certainly"
And don't feel any conjunction at
riding in pitch darkness with a strange
gentleman"
"None whatever. since I am sure he
is gentleman"
"You can trust me. I have recently
become engaged"
ooh. then I'm safe indeed!'
This was said In a tone that made
me take notice. 1t did not seem to me
that the lady cared especially about
being so safe. permitted my hand
to fall upon hers. She allowed it to
remain there
You are not the person you claim
to be at ALL" she said. II didn't recog-
nize you at first. but have done so
since.''
''lndeed!'
"And question if you are one of
the goody-goody kind"
II don't know that l ann
Are you really engaged?"
II certainly am"
She. leaned very close against me,
and felt her warm breath on my
cheek. was sure that. knowing me,
she was intending to play some prank
on me. get me to kiss her and tell my
f1ancee, or something like that. l Steel
ed myself against her establishments.
l was really more interested in dis
covering who she was than anything
else.
DO you Know my fanceeY asked
Eyes. do"
do you admire herY'
mot especially"
Twill you give me FIVE guesses?'
mot one"
Just then we passed on a horrible
scoop in the road. She was thrown
against me. her cheek being pressed
against mine. My will power was
broken. twisted my arm around her
neck. held her fast and kissed her
She freed herself.
There was an ominous silence.
Now | suppose you're going to
blame me-"
No answer.
ut is rather off color for me to take
advantage Of this peculiar situation to
take kiss"
Was that q sob?
Great heavens. What had l done?
l must have mistaken her. My action
had been black as the night. would
give five years Of my life to recall that