The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1912-05-17

"S"N iN'"aIu' tue answer came,
TWO days later. Mary Davenant Is
the girl with the dark hair and gray
eyes. | do not know Miss Gr!cc but
L Imagine that she is falr-haired and
mas blue eyes, If she Is the young
woman ] once met at Miss Davcnant's
house. And now | win let you into n
little secret, Richard. ! told YOU that
MISS Davcnant was disillusioned She
mas had the Same unhappy experiences
that you have had. And she has
known the purpose of your visit to
Atlantic City, "a y0u truly surmised.
Like you, she has a duty TO her rami.
~, and that is 20 marry a title-but
she would never marry a man who
had not proved his devotion. That is
obviously the cause of her mas
qGerade. Iou must marry her. Rich.
ard; she - not Indifferent 10 you and
you would learn TO love each other"
But. 10 have the most charming girl
In the world rammed down ones
throat Is an attraction that is apt 10
cloy. AID Richard, ever pervcrsc. soon
discovered that the bluc-cvcd compan-
ION, already more attractive 10 him
that the darkha!rCd Mary Davcnant,
hal made i profound impression on
his heart. The knowledge that she
was forbidden 10 him. added 10 the
sense OF his obligation 10 marry the
helress, rapidly began TO render him
Il hopeless victim 10 Miss Grice's
charms. lie saw that, Mess he could
bring himself to propose TO Mary
Dayenant Immediately, he would never
do so, and. in despair. selected his OPP
portunlty one clear and warm October
night. when the moon was not yet
arisen and profound darkness reigned
outside the wcll.l!t hotel.
Hitherto be had not betrayed his
knowledge OF their masquerade, but
now, seized with a sudden resolution,
he stopped in his walk rs the three
paced the piazza side by side.
Miss Davenant." he said hoarsely,
turning toward the dark.haircd heiress
and desperately nerving himself for
the attempt, will you come down 10
tho stone seat at the end OF the
grounds with me? Let US listen to
the sea together"
Without any further explanation or
apology 10 the other for his seeming
discourtcsy be led the way TO the
end OF the grounds, until they stopped
mt the stone bench beneath the wall
which maintains the green of the grass
against the entertainments OF the sand.
He felt Miss DavcnaDt follow him. al
most by some sixth sense. rather than
anything else. for he could see moth
ing IN that intense darkness. and her
slipporod feet made no sound upon the
turf.
At the scat he turned. and heard the
light rustic OF her scarf as the wind
blew il around her
Il want to ask you 20 re my wife,
Miss Dav,naut." hc said ncrvously.
She made no answer. but seemed to
await his further words. mOionless,
silent. rs though she were herself n
part Of the darkness. J0cclyn felt for
her hand and caugh, II in his own.
81 love you. Mary" he stammorcd.
"Wi,l you give me my answer
He drew her toward him and felt
her arms circle his neck Then her
head lay on his breast. and, bending
down. be kissed the lips of-Con-
stance Grice'
a feeling Of intense despair over
mastered him. He had played his
cards. and fate had proved too pow.
erful. But this was followed hy =
sudden dc'irious JOY. Well, IL Con-
stance Gricc had Ly this miracle been
given TO him. why should he place
duty 10 his family before the dictates
Of his heart? Rent b. two conflict
ing emotions. he stood gazing ont into
tho tumbl!ng sea. Needless of the girl
who still lay silently In his arms.
Presently Constance Gricc d!scn-
gagged herself ana looked mp at him.
why ere you so sad?' she asked.
1T is because you have learned that
l love yOu?"
"That has made me happier than
anything in the world, Constance. no
answered.
Consumer she repeated. Are
you thinking of my companion? why
do you call me that?"
because have penetrated your wise
little secret, dearest" Jccelyn answer
cd 81 have known for days that MISS
Davenant had persuaded you to change
names with her. so as to test Ee. For
she knew loved her and she feared
that II was for her wealth Grd not for
herself" He broke off abruptly. lie
was like n swimmer In troacherous
waters. Ho could not think clearly
Dared he pursue this infatuation to
i,s irrevocable termination? Gould he
indeed settle himself to marry TINS
companion, dearly as he loved her.
without some further proof of her de-
yotion? Suppose she. too. had tried
70 trick him into HIS proposal?
By revealing his knowledge OF her
secret no had shown in the clearest
possIble manner that he loved her Tor
herself alone. But. II he defied his Ia
tbor and married her-considering MS
mast experiences in love. might no not
no justified in proving her alsog ana
since she had deceived him In the
testing, would no not be 1ustineo ."