The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1913-01-17


swain. In another instant they were
lost In the crowd that rushed to the
ferry.
She was all that his fondest dreams,
all that his fairest prophecies mao
promised-nay. she surpassed them.
The pure, girlish face-the one of the
deep, earnest eyes and tender lips-had
been toned and perfected and rechls-
eled by the magic hand of time. she
was taller by several inches; a lissome
creature who moved with the sureness
and grace of an almost exalted sym
metry.
What could it matter to him that she
was coveted by all the men who knew
her? He rejoiced in the fact that they
were at her feet. 1t was left tor MIN
to look down upon them IN the enc
and smile with all the arrogance OF
triumphant possession.
Even as he exulted, a dissolsing ele-
ment was flung upon the crystal IN
which he saw his own g~lorlficatlon.
Ernie Cronk was standing beside MIN.
That's the fellow" he was saying,
his voice croaking hoarsely. Hes the
one she's in love with"
you mean-she's in love with him.!
David demanded.
That's BERTHE Stanfeld. He's a
great swell. He was here to meet her.
| saw him. It's-it's no use, David
No one else has got a show His In
clusion of David in his own misfor-
tune, though by inference, would have
been amusing at another time. Some
how, at this moment, 1t struck David
as tragic. Was it possible that he was
to find himself in the same boat with
this unhappy, uncouth w%orshiper?
Il have heard Of him." he said, a
sudden chill creeping into his veins.
Did she-did she speak to YOU?
asked Ernie. The hard look was creep
ing back into his eyes.
She didn't see me- muttered David
She spoke to me. She always does.
said Ernie, twisting his fingers. But
he went on, almost in a wall, its be
cause she-she pities mel"
David's heart was touched. He
started off, followed by his unchosen
comrade, and caught the boat almost
as it cast off in the slip.
Mrs. Braddock and Christine were
far forward. They were chatting gay
ly with the blonde Mr.. Stanfield. Old
Mr.. Portman sat against the deck
house.
David allowed his fancy full play
His hopes r~ebounded, his confidence
revived. BY the time the ferryboat
was locked in the Manhattan slip he
was buoyant with the hope and resolu
ton Of unconquered youth. He would
win her away from them all.
H, fastened toward one of the exits
inteht on securing a cab. He had made
up his mind not to accost them; he
would not present himself unexpected
~ at a time and place when embar
rassinent to them might be the result
Ms. Braddock was at the counter O
the telegraph Office near one Of the
sire At doors. He did o see her unit
he vas almost upon her. She wa!
alone and engaged in writing out
telegram. His plans were altered ii
an fnstant, A moment later he was a
her side, his face flushed and eager.
/. For many seconds she stared won
deringly into his smiling eyes. Befor'
F.! uttering a word she glanced at the mes
sage she had finished and was abou
TO hand it to the clerk; then her gaz'
returned to his face.
"Dayid Jenison," she said, and Their
was something like awe in her voice
is it really you? How strange--hoy
very STRANGE"
I'm not a ghost he cried. "Yo,
look az me as if | had crept out of m,
grave"
She looked again at the telegram
Why, David" she began falteringly
Then her face cleared. A glad smil
broke owe it, and both her hands wer
extended. 1T really is you? Yes, yor
are flesh and blood. You dear, dea
David! am SO glad to see you. Hoy
does 1t happen that you are here
Where do you come from and" Sh
| WeuL Oh Will lllc cdESlHcSS Vi d ClllIl
asking more questions than he coul
remember, much less answer. AN
how wonderfully you have grown up!
Il have seen Christine" he sal
eagerly. "She is perfection-she i
marvellous"
Seen her! Where? But We canno
talk here. We must have hours an
hours all by ourselves. Come to m
fathers house tonight. We are livin
with him, you know"
Il am here solely to remind you tina
the five years are ended. Mrs. Brad
dock. Mahomet has come to the mou1
tain, you see"
Her face clouded. She glance
quickly through the window. His gaz
followed hers. Christine and youn
Stanfield we're driving away togethe
in a hanson.
He read her thoughts. "Ill take m
chances" he remarked confidently.
Il know that she has not forgotten
David" she said after a moment c
de~liberation, "but-well. will be fran
with Won She has suddenl- shot mas