The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1912-09-26

las oAlo "a ACCSSSllNM DC
proved.
But now woman-like, she only long
ed for his safety, and forgetting all the
tradition Of her past life, all the old
lessons OF self-restraint, forgetting ev-
erything except his Immediate danger,
she chung to him with all the true pas
sion in her, which she no longer tried
to keep in check.
mo, Luke she murmured in quick.
jerky tones, "it is not too late-not at
all too late. You stay in her quietly
and I'll ask father to go and speak to
them. He'll tell them that you haven't
come home yet, and thai he is waiting
known; they won't suspect him Of
shielding you; and in the meanwhile
you can slip out easily We'll SEND your
luggage on. You can write and let US
know where you are--it is quite easy
and not too late"
Whilst she spoke, she was gradually
edging toward the door. Her voice had
sunk to a horse whisper, for ma%ddening
terror almost deprived her of speech.
With insistent strength she would not
allow him to detain her, and he, whilst
trying to hold her back, vas afraid Of
hurting her. But at the last when she
had almost reached the door, he con-
trived to forestall her. and before she
could guess his purpose he had pressed
a finger on the button of the electric
bell.
She heard the distant tinkle of the
bell, and this made her pause.
"What is it, Luke?" she asked. why
did you ring?"
For YOU father, dear" he replied
simply.
Then you will do what 1 want you
to-" n rejoined eagerly. you will go
away?"
He gave no immediate answer, for
already the maids footstep was heard
along the passage. The next moment
she was knocking at the door. Luke
went up to it, gently forcing Louisa
back into the shadow behind him.
Mary" he said, with his hand on
the latch Of the door, holding it slightly
ajar, Just ask Colonel Harris to come
here, will you?"
Yes, sir"
The girl was heard turning away,
and walking back briskly along the
passage. Then Luke faced Louisa once
again.
He went up to her and without q
word took her in his arms. 1t was a
supreme farewell and she knew 1t. She
felt 1T In the culver Of agony which
went right through him as he pressed
her SO close-so close that her breath
nearly left her body and her heart
seemed to stand still. She felt it in the
sweet, sad pain Of the burning kisses
with which he covered her face, her
eyes. her hair, her mouth. 1t was the
final passionate embrace, the ~irrevoc-
aple linking OF soul and heart and mind,
the parting of earthly bodies, the UNI
ION OF immortal souls. 1t was the end
of all things earthly, the beginning of
things eternal.
She understood and her resistance
vanished. All that had been dark to
her became suddenly TRANSPORTED and
illumined. With the merging Of earth
ly passion into that love which is Gods
breath, she-the pure and %selfless
woman, Gods most perfect work on
earth-became as God. and knew what
was good and what had peer evil.
Neither OF them spoke; the word
Farewell, was not uttered between
them. His final kiss was upon her
eyes, and she closed them after that,
the better to imprint on her memoir
the vision of his face lit up with the
dlV!ne fire of an unconquerable pas
sion.
The entrance of Colonel Harris
brought them both back to present
reality. He, poor man, looked severely
troubled, and distinctly older than he
usually did.
Did you mi me, Luke?" he asked.
Yes, sir replied the latter, the po-
nee are here, and l thought tina per
haps you and Louisa would be so kind
as to take Edie along with you. jim,
is going to sleep in barracks tonight,
and Edie ought not to stay here alone.'
Yes. Wen take Edie," said the col
onel CURLY, she'll be all right with rs
Are you ready, Lou""
Yes, dear" she replied.
And she passed out of the door with
out another word. or another look.
The supreme farewell a been
spoken. Further words-even another
kiss-would have almost desecrated its
undying
The two men remained alone opl
Colonel Harris without any hesitation
held out his hand to luke de Mount
ford.
The police are here, sir" said Luke,
Wllhout taklng the hand that was Of
fered him..
L know they are" muttered the 9TH
er, that's no reason why YOU should
refuse an old friends hand"
hen as Misunderstanding no longer
placed his burning hand in that of
ms friend, Colonel Harris said quietly,
almost entreatingly:
It's only a temporary trouble, eh
nsy boy? You can easily refute this
aP9mlnable charge, and prove your in
~nocence?"
Il think not, sir" replied Luke. 81
cannot retute the Charge and my in
But you are mad, mani" retorted the
older MAJ holly. You are mad! and
are breaking a woman's heart!"
Heaven forgive me for that, sir. 1t
Is the greatest crime"
Colonel Harris smothered a powerful
oath. Luke's attitude puzzled him more
and more. And his loyalty had received
such a succession of shocks today thai
It would have been small wonder if il
mad begun to totter at last.
He turned away without another
word. But at the door he paused once
more-in obvious hesitation.
"There'S Dotbipp olSa -
you?" he asked.
Nothing. sir. Thank you"
"You--you We're not thinking-of-'
Q what. sir?" asked Luke.
Then as he saw the other mans ewes
wandering to the drawer Of the desk, he
said simply:
Q suicide, you mean, sir?"
Colonel Harris nodded.
oh. no" rejoined Luke. And he
added after a slight pause: Not al
present"
What do you mean by that?"
Il mean that I shouldn't exactly hans
for the murder Of the Chaplain brick.
layer. shouldn't let it come to that
am sorry 7 did mt ,aro, -.