The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1912-11-08
I'm, MIss-Miss Christine" he said

Il thought | heard something In the
bushes back there" she said in extenu-
alton.
1t was the wind be vo%uchsafed,
but his thoughts went at once to Blake.
lnroluntarily he looked over his shout
der and quitkened his pace. She felt
his arm stiffen.
I'm quite sure 1t was a cow" she
said.
Are you afraid OF cows?"
"nreadfuily."
And you're not afraid Of elephants
or cauels?"
on, dear, no: they're tame" She
seemed in doubt rs to the wisdom Of
expressing aloud the thoughts that trou-
Died her. Twice she peered up into the
face Of her companion Then she reso-
lutely delivered herself. Il do hope ia
Their wont see us, David"
You poor gtrl!' he cried gently. I'm
sorry If this gets you into trouble. De
Mise didn't tel me. She
"Oh. Denise did 1t on purpose" she
said. quite glibly. II suppose she thinks
we're going to fail In love with each
other
David was grateful to the darkness.
II bid his blush Of confusion.
But that's perfectly silly went on
he soft voice at his elbow. Il Just
want to be your friend. David. My
mother adores you So do |, but In Just
he same way that she does. IL
couldn't think OF being 50 ridiculous az
to fall In love with you"
He resented this. Il don't zee why
you say that he said. But" very
hastily. I'm not asking you to do it.
Please don't misunderstood me. T.
Mother and | are so sorry for you.
David she went on earnestly. We
we don't believe a word of-of-well
you know She was suddenly dis
tressed.
How DO you know that I'm not
guilty p he cried bitterly. You ha 70
only my word for 1t OF course. I'd
deny It Anybody would. even II he
was az guilty al sin. IL NIGH, have
done It. for all you know"
oh. d~on't-don't talk like that,
Davidr"
Nearly every one with the show
thinks | did 1t. 1t doesn't matter to
them. either. They Ike me Just az
well. LISTS as If were a friend
less. homeless dog. They're tender
hearted. They'd do as much for the
dog. every time. | like them for 1t
III not forget e~verybody's kindness to
me and-and their Indifference"
Indifference. DavtdT"
Yes. That's the word. II doesn't
make any difference what ! am, they
Just say it's all right and-and-that's
all"
She caught the intensely bitter note
In his voice, Christine was young. but
she had One perceptions. Her l!p
trembled.
Nobody thinks you did IT." she cried
In n vehement undertone. Even
father She stopped abruptly.
If he thinks I'm innocent. why Is
he 40 act on keeping me from talking
10 you or you mother?" he demanded
quickly, n sudden fire entering his
brain THAT doesn't look as If he
thinks I'm all right. does 1t? Tm-I'm
not a low down person. II | was, I
could see a reason. But I'm n gentle.
man. Every man In my family has
been a gentleman since-oh, you'll
think I'm boasting. | didn't mean TO
say this 10 You No, Christine. your
father thinks I'm guilty."
He does not" ahe whispered ~
know he doesn't. I've heard him argue
with mother about you. He has told
her tina he does not believe that you
Killed your grandfather. I've heard
him say II, David. He-he Is only
thinking of-must I say II? or the
disgrace to us II you should be caught
and II came ont we were your friends.
That's It. Hes thinking OF US. David.
II Is 40 foolish Of him We both hav W
told him so. Rnt-but you don't know
my father" There was a world. OF
meaning in that declaration. and 1t was
not disrespectful, either.
David WIS discrcetly silent He was
uuelling the rage lint always rose In
MS ncHTI "DplI ne I1OuSH OF uOfO.S
B~raddock's attitude. not only toward
him but toward his wife.
II wish he wouldn't look at II In
that way. David" she resumed plain
lively. We've would be so happy
if you could be with us-that Is. more
than you are" She was stammering.
but TOT from embarrassment IT was
In the fear OF saying something that
might touch his sensitive pride,
II love your mother" he cried IN.
tensely "She's the best woman I've
ever known-except my own mother.
She's better than my aunts-yes. she
Is! Better than all Of them. / could
die for her"
She clutched his arm tightly. but
said nothing. Neither spoke for a mat
ter Of a hundred feet or more. Then he
said to her, rather drearily:
Did you read what the papers said
about the-the murder. and about me?''
mo. Mother will not let me read the