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

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Copyright, 1910, by Harper & Brothers.
those who remained, 81 have no quar-
rel with you. l do not want any. Do
you understand" He wiped his hands
with his handkerchief, smoothed his
hair and walked past them.
AS calmly as he could he hurried
through the Hobbies and the rotunda Of
the statehouse The crowds were thin
ming. The band had gone. The wo-
men had scattered to prepare for the
ball of the evening. Among the few
that We're left he could not find Glare.
He went back to his committee room
and pondered until dusk fell.
One matter presented itself to his
mood as a duty. He called a carriage
and was driven to the Presson home.
Madeleine came down in answer to
his card. But as she entered the re-
ception room her father followed at
her heels, beginning threats as he
came in.
Father" she said quietly, II have
just listened to you. You need not
fear that l do not understand myself
and my duty. ask you to retire"
| He stood there Il moment, still NUT
tering his wrathful protest. but in the
end her dignity mastered him. He
went away
What she did next amazed the young
man who stood there waiting. She
came to him and patted his cheek.
My poor boy" she said softly and
drew him down beside her on a couch.
For moment the words he had
come prepared to say deserted him.
He could not speak He found sincere
compassion in her eyes-sympathy and
something else which he did not faith
ON.
II can do at least one decent thing
today" he burst out. 81 can come to
you man fashion and ask you to re-
| lease me from our engagement of this
evening. l know, of course, you
wouldn't go to the ball with me after
what has happened But there's s.
deeper reason. ! am going to tell it TO
YOU. Don't misunderstood me. l don't
know the right words to use. Any
way l put it may sound as though [
We're a cad. But understand me, Mad
eleine-as my friend understand me.
You have been wise You have youn-
seled me. l need friend now,w His
voice broke, and she waited. give
come to my senses. Oh, it's no dis
credit to you that / thought l loved
you. l thought So"
Your love would honor any woman,
Harlan"
Il couldn't say it to some girls" he
cried. They would not see how it
was But 1 can only tell you the
TRUTH"
Wait moment she said, interrupt
ing. You are not just yourself Let
me talk to you. Only a little while
ago girl came to me. She had heard
There were plenty to tell her when
she asked. 1t has been reported that
I our engagement would be announced
after the legislative ball. Watt She
heard all that from the first one she
asked. She has told me So She be-
lieves it,"
Believes it! What did you tell
herr"
Wait, l say. ] have shown patience
! this afternoon. l waited for her to
speak. Let me tell you what she said
while l waited. She said she wanted
you to be great man. She knew, so
che told me, that she only brought
trouble and distress to you. She want
ed to see me so that she might know
II l were the one who could help you
| in your career. I'll not tell you what
she said to me about myself She is
sweet and gracious girl, that little
Clare, Harlan. She said she knew l
could help you in your work in life.
And she wanted to tell me the little
| story Of you two-she wanted to fore
stall gossip that might hurt you in my
eyes. And she gave you to me. Har-
Ian, have heard of that kind of love,
but didn't believe 1t existed. Did
your"
| Tears were Oh his cheeks.
81 know herr he choked.
She understood his answer. She
waited little while.
And love her above all the honors
| and treasures Of this world"
She stood up.
'i'm going to- find her." he went on.
you understand me, don't you, Made
leine?"