Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1912-03-07

no escape was possible, and 1 en-.
tered the house for what well knew
was to be. the last time. My mind
was gravely troubled; 1 knew not
what to expect, how far I might ven
ture to hope. Why had she desired
to see me again? Surely the public
reason she offered could not be the
real one. Had she only been free,
a maid whose hand remained her
own to surrender as she pleased, 1
should never have hesitated, never
have doubted her purpose; but now
that could not be.
AS knocked almost timidly at the
closed library door a gentle voice
said, Come" and entered, my heart
throbbing like a frightened girls.
She stood waiting me nearly in the
center OF that spacious apartment,
dressed in the same light raiment she
had worn without, and her greeting
was calm and friendly, yet tinged by
proud dignity, cannot describe.
believed for an instant that we were
alone, and my blood raced through
my veins in sudden expectancy; then
my eyes fell upon Mrs. Minor COM
fortably seated in an armchair be-
fore the fire, and l realized that she
was present to restrain me from for
getfulness. But in very truth my
lady hardly needed such protection
her speech, her manner, her proud
constraint told me at once most plain
~ that no existing tie between US
had caused our meeting.
Captain Wayne" she said softly,
her high color alone giving evidence
OF any memory of the past, II scarce
ly thought that we should meet again,
yet was not willing to part with you
under any misunderstanding. l have
learned from Lieutenant Cation the
full particulars Of your action in con-
nection with Major Brennan wish
you to realize that appreciate your
efforts to escape a hostile meeting
and esteem you most highly for your
forbearance on the field 1t was in
deed noble proof Of true courage.
May l ask why did you fire in the
air?"
Had she not held me SO away from
her by her manner l should have then
and there told her all the truth. AS
1t was burst not.
II felt convinced that if my bullet
reached Major Brennan it would in
jure you. l preferred not to do that"
II believed it was for my sake you
made the sacrifice" She paused; then
asked in yet lower tones: "Was my
name mentioned during your conten-
toni mean publicly?"
1T was not; Cation alone is aware
I refrained because of the reason
have already given you"
"Your wound is not serious?"
Too insignificant to be worthy of
mention"
She was silent, her eyes upon the
carpet, her bosom rising and falling
with the emotion she sought in vain
to suppress.
II thank you for coming to me-"
she said frankly. II shall understand
1t all better, comprehend your motive
better, for this brief talk. Whatever
you may think of me in the future"
and she held out her hand with some
thing Of the old frankness in the GEES
ture, do not hold me as ungrateful
for single kindness you have shown
me. l have not fully understood you,
Captain Wayne; indeed, I doubt If
do even now, yet am under great
obligations which hope some day to
be able to requite, at least in part. "
"A thousand times they are already
paid" exclaimed, eagerly, forgetting
for the moment the presence of her
silent chaperon.- you have given me
that which Is more than life"
do not, Captain Wayne" she in
terrupted, her cheeks aflame. II
would rather forget. Please do not;
did not send to you for that. only
to tell you I knew and understood.
We must part now. Will you say
good-bye?"
IT you bid me, yes, 1 will say
goodbye" I answered, my own self
control brought back instantly by her
words and manner, "but retain that
which l do not mean to forget-your
gracious words of invitation to the
North"
She stood with parted lips, as
though she struggled to force back
that which should not be uttered
Then she whispered swiftly:
"It is not my wish that you
should"
Was there ever such another para
dox of woman? l knew not how
to read her Alright, for l scarce evel
found her twice the same. Which
represented the truth of her charac
tsr-her cool dignity, her impetuous
pride, or that gentle tenderness which
bef1tted her SO well? Which was the
armor, which the heart of this fail
lady of the North?
As we rode down the path to thu
eastward, snowy handkerchief fut
/ forod NV