The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1911-01-12
HE DIAMOND SHIP.
MAX PEMBERTON
Author Of Doctor Xavier" ".rhe
Copyright by d. Appleton
MAX PEMBERTON

l gown OF mustn't, ana u
bunch of roses had been crushed by her
nervous fingers and the leaves scat
Tered, one by one, upon the ground
AT my coming the color rushed back
20 her cheek. and she half rose as
though afraid of me. stood my
ground, however, for her sake and my
own. Now must I speak with her; now
once and forever, tell her that which
nad come to Santa Maria to say.
Miss Fordibras," said quietly. you
are IN trouble and l 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 Dicppe.
crossed the arbor and seated myself
near her.
THE grief OF being misnamed the
daughter OF man who Is unworthy
or belng called your father. Tell me IL
am mistaken. You are not the
daughter or Hubert Foriibras. You
are no real relative OF his?"
Did my father tell you that?" she
asked me, looking up amazed.
ne mas told me nothing save that
snouid enjoy your company and that
or your companion at the breakfas st
tained?"
Miss Aston is at the Villa San Jorge.
l did not wish to come alone, but my
father insisted. That's why you found
me crying. hate it, hate this place
and everyone about IL. You know that
l do. Dr. Fabos. They cannot hide any
thlng from you. said so when first
saw you In London. You are one of
tnose men to whom women tell every
thlng. could not keep a secret from
you II my life depended upon it."
is there any necessity to do SO,
MISS Fordibras? Are not some secrets
n frfA <1s,c'
II will tell you nothing-,I dare mott"
she exclaimed at length, wrestling VS.
IDLY with a wild desire to speak. at
would not help you; 1t 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 person
exists. That's my secret that's what
l came up here to tell you, never mind
ing what you might think Of me-"
Ihats a fine word of WISDOM" I
SAID; but IT appears to me that want
a. pair Of wings IL l am to obey you
DID they. not tell you that / am a
prisoner here?"
"A prlsoner-no, no. no.
Indeed so--a prisoner who has yet
to find the road which leads 10 the sea-
shore. Sooner or later shall discover
1t, and we will set out upon it to-
gether. At the moment my eyes show
me nothing but the hills. Perhaps am
grown 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. 1 could see that she look
ed away to the corner of the
gardens where the boiling spring
whirled and eddied beneath the shall
low cliff.
Tbs bridge is there--down there by
the water! she cried excitedly: IT
crossed 1t an hour ago, an iron bridge,
DR.. Fabos, with little flight Of steps
leading up to ii. Why do you talk so
wildly? Am l so foolish. then?'
l went and stood beside her.. a rose
from her boquet in my hand
THE elves play with u.s." I said
evasively; your bridge has vanished
with the morning mists."
II cannot believe it," she cried: II
am so helpless. Tell me. DR.. Fabos,
what shall | do-in Gods name, what
shall do?"
Accept my friendship and bestow
upon me your confidence. Promise that
you will leave this place when l leave
II. and end forever your association
with these men! / ask nothing more.
MY own secret must go with me yet
little while. But i shall call YOU Joan,
and no name shall be dearer to me
IL you wish 1t, little comrade?"
She turned from me, the hot tears in
her eyes.