Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1911-01-20

simple morning gown OF muslin; and a
bunch of roses had been crushed by her
nervous fingers and the leaves scat
tered, one by one, upon the ground.
1t my coming the color rushed back
to her cheek, and h half rose as
though afraid OF me. / stood my
ground, however, for her a k and my
own. Now must I speak with her; now,
once n forever, tell her that which
I had come to Santa Maria to say
Miss Fordibras," / said quietly, you
are in trouble and I can help you"
She did not answer me. A flood OF
tears seemed to conquer her.
Yes" she said, and how changed
she was from my little Joan of Dieppe.
crossed the arbor and seated myself
neal her.
The grief of being misnamed the
daughter of q man who is unworthy
of being called your father. Tell me IL
l am mistaken. You are NOT the
daughter of Hubert Fordibras. You
are no real relative of his"
Did my father tell you that" she
asked me, looking up amazed.
He has told me nothing save that l
should enjoy your company and that
of your companion at the breakfast
table. Miss Aston, I suppose, is de-
tained?"
Miss Aston is at the Villa San Jorge.
- Az nv A. " SOttiC dtollCb puN H.
father insisted. That's why you found
me crying. I hate it, hate this place
and everyone about It. You know that
! do, DR.. Fabos. They cannot hide any
thing from YOU. l said so when first I
saw you in London. You are one Of
those men to whom women tell every
thing. / could not keep a secret from
you IL my life depended upon it."
is there any necessity to do so,
Miss Fordibras? Are not some secrets
best told to u friends? 2"
Il will tell you nothing-I dare not!"
she exclaimed at length, wrestling Wis
IDLY with a wild desire to speak. TT
would not help you; it could not serve
you. Leave the place at once, DR..
Fabos. Never think or speak of us
again. Go right now! Say boodbye to
me and try to forget that such a person
exists. That's my secret; that's what
| came UP here to tell you, never mind
ing what you might think of me-"
That's a fine word of WISDOM" /
said; but 1t appears to me that l want
a pair OF wings if I am to obey you.
prisoner here?"
"A prisoner-no, no, no."
Indeed so-a prisoner who has yet
to find the road which leads to the sea-
shore. Sooner or later / shall discover
it, and we will set out upon it to-
Setner. AL the moment my eyes snow
ine nothing but the hills. Perhaps l am
grown a little blind, dear child. If that
is so, you must lead me-"
She started up amazed and ran to
the door OF the arbor. The quick pull
sations of her heart were to be
counted beneath her frail gown of
muslin. / could see that she look
ed away TO the corner of the
gardens h the boiling spring
whirled and eddied beneath the shall
low cliff.
THE bridge is there-down there by
the water!' she cried excitedly; II
crossed it an hour ago, an iron bridge,
DR.. Fabos, with a little flight OF steps
leading UP to it. Why do you talk SO
wildly? Am ] so foolish, Them"
/ ven and stood beside her, a rose
from her boquet in my hand.
THE elves play with u.s." / said
esasipeiy: your bridge has vanished
with the morning mists."
Il cannot believe it," she cried; 1T
what shall l do-in Gods name, what
shall I do?"
Accept my friendship and bestow
upon me your confidence. Promise that
you will leave this place when I leave
1T, and end forever your association
with these men! / ask nothing more.
My own secret must go with me yet
a little while. But / shall call you Joan,
and no name shall be dearer to me
IL you wish it, little comrade?"
She turned from me, the hot tears Ia
her eyes.