Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1913-12-26
Have you thought where you would

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you. II ! hadn't been SO frightened
at first, | should have had more sense
than to burden you this way. l hope
some day shall be able to repay your
kindness, though 1 fear it is too great
ever to repay"
please don't talk in that way" said
he protestingly. 1T has been a pleas
ure to do the little that | nave done,
and you have more than repaid it by
the delight you lave given me and my
friends. / could not hin of leaving
you until you are out of your trouble,
and if you will only give me a little
hint OF how to help. / will do my ut
most for you. Are you quite sure you
were followed? Don't you think you
could trust me enough to tell me a lit
tie more about the matter?"
She s]huddered visibly.
Forgive me-" he murmured. 81 see
it distresses you. OF course it is IN
pleasant to confide in an utter
stranger. / will not ask you to tell me.
| will try to think for you. Suppose
we go to the station and get you a
ticket to somewhere. Have you any
preference? You can trust Tne not to
tell anyone where you have gone, can
you not?" There was a kind rebuke
in his tone, and her eyes, as she lifted
them to his face, we're full of tears.
"Oh, | do trust yOu!" she cried, dis
tressed. You must not think that,
but-yOu do not understand"
Then she added suddenly:
But cannot buy a ticket. I have
No r,,nnau with mr. md I
Don't think of that for an instant.
l will gladly supply our need. A lit
tie loan should not distress you"
But | do not know when | shall be
able to repay it." she faltered, "un-
less"-she hastily drew off her glove
and slipped a glittering ring from her
Uncertainties you will let this pay
for it. l do not like to trouble you so,
but the stone is worth a good deal"
Indeed" he protested, Il couldn't
think of taking your ring. Lei me do
this. 1t is such a small thing. I shall
never miss it. Let it rest until you
are out of your trouble, at least"
"Please!" she insisted, holding out
the ring. 81 shall get right out of this
carriage unless you do"
But perhaps some one gave you the
ring, and you are attached to it,"
MY father" she answered briefly.
and he would want me to use it this
way" She pressed the ring into his
hand almost impatiently.
Il will keep it until you want it
again. he said kindly.
You need not do that, for / shall
not claim it," she declared. You are
at liberty to sell it. l know it is worth
a good deal"
Il shall certainly keep it until l am
sure you do not want it yourself" he
repeated. Nov let us talk about this
journey of yours. We are almost at
the station. Have you any preference
as to where you go? Have you friends
to whom you could go"
She shook her head.
There are trains to New York every
hour almost"
"Oh, MOI" she gasped in a frightened
tone.
And to Washington often"
Il should rather o go to Washing
ton" she breathed again.
Pittsburgh, Chicago?" he hazarded.
SiiSdSo 4 w, DIG dSScIIeu Will
relief. Then the carriage stopped be-
fore the great station.
He hurried her through the station
and up to the ladies' waiting room,
where he found a quiet corner and a
large rockingham, in which he placed
her SO that she might look out of the
great window upon the panorama of
the evening street, and yet be thor
ougly screened from all intruding
glances by the big leather and brass
OF the ladies bootblack.'
He was gone fifteen minutes, during
which the girl sat quietly in her chair,
yet alert, every nerve strained. At
any moment the mass of faces she was
watching might reveal one whom she
dreaded to see, OF a detective might
lace his hand upon her shoulder with
i quiet Come with me-"
When Durham came back, the nerv-
GUS start she gave showed him how
tense and anxious had been her mind.
He studied her lovely face under the
great hat, and noted the dark shadows
beneath her eyes. He felt that he
must do something to relieve her. 1t
was unbearable to him that this young
girl should be adrift, friendless, and
apparently a victim to some terrible
fear.
Drawing up a chair beside her, he
began talking about her ticket.
You must remember l was utterly
at your mercy" she smiled sadly. Il
simply a to let you help me-"
Il should be glad to pay double for
the pleasure you have given me in al
lowing me to help you" he said.
Just at that moment q boy in g blue
uniform planted a sole-leather suit
case at his feet, and exclaimed: Here
you ire, Mr.. Durham. Had a fierce
time findin' you. Thought you said
you would be by the elevator door,"