Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1912-03-14

Il understand. But you shall not &c
to find her"-she smiled into his star
tied eyes-"for she is hidden in my
room waiting to tell me more-waiting
until l tell her something that will
take the burden from her heart
had been listening to her when my ia
ther came in with his story. l had
not made my confession. 1t would
have comforted her-it will comfort
her, for i can tell her truthfully have
not yet met the man l can love, Har-
Ian. You We're not the one" She left
with him the consolation of smile
and FASTENED away. She did not even
reproach him because of his affair with
Linton.
He stood waiting at the door. He
heard the steps on the stairs. He was
ready to clasp her.
But Madeleine Presson came in
alone. THE girl has gone, Harlan.
The maid said she ran away after l
left her. l was fool. l dropped
your card"
He stood dumb and motionless.
"Gone, believing that"' he gasped.
She shook him. "But you can find
her. Remember that she is young.
She believed gossip too quickly. You
! must find her. Hurry! She will only
have to see your eyes to know that
they all led
He rushed to the door.
Bring her to me!' cried the girl ''I'll
know how to help YOU"
At the railroad station he was told
that the special trains had gone with
the visitors who were not in town for
the ball.
He did not even know the name of
the school from which she had come
AT the statehouse he at last found
some one who had seen and known
the grouD-an attache of the state ed
ucational department. There was no
train that way until midnight. He
took it, How he passed the time of
the doors of the institution as early as
decency permitted He did not wish
to compromise her.
He was assured in a manner that left
no room for doubt that Miss Kavanagh
had not returned with the others. They
were much worried and bad notified
her father.
Harlan sent an appealing telegram
to him, daring even to solicit that ogre
of the north. But no word came to
him.
He wired orders to his caretaker at
the barracks to investigate at that
end and returned to the state capital
distracted, baffled, not knowing what
step to take next. The session had
not closed for the day when he arriv-
ed at the statehouse.
Men in the lobby stared at him as
he passed. 1t was evident that tongues
had been busy with his affairs. His
grandfather, striding up and down,
tried to intercept him, but he kept on
TO his seat. All the eyes Of the house
We're on him. Word Of the Thornton
bill" had gone abroad. Now, in spite of
his mental distress, he remembered his
duty.
The bill went in and on its way, and
that night the capital buzzed with the
discussion of it.
Harlan Thornton spent half the night
at the telegraph office, his mind intent
on something far from prospective leg
islation.
But no word came to comfort him,
no clew that he could pursue.
Days grew into weeks. He did not
attempt search in person. 1t would
have been vague wandering about the
country He remained to hold up the
hands of Governor Weymouth, finding
relish for fight in the rancor that set
tied within him.
He and Linton silently faced the Cos
sip that beat about them in regard to
their encounter and kept away from
each ether. Theirs was balanced ac-
count.
And Madeleine Presson somewhat os-
tentatiously permitted the attentions of
the young secretary Of state.