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

w "|tP I'm
hurting Christine" said David.
He amt going to do that" said
Ernie quickly. Hes after Grand"
Just the same, we are afraid. Is he
here?"
No; he's asleep at my place, if
that1l do you any good. I'm not going
to turn against her father, which ia
more than the rest of o can say.
You can tell her, if you want to, that
I'm still his friend" 1t was plain to
be seen that he was adopting this pitt
full policy as a means of gaining the
attention of the otherwise unap-
proachable Christine. He was up all
night-looking!"
For Grand?"
II didn't ask" leered the hunchback.
Suddenly his eyes flew wide open. He
was staring past Jenison.
David turned. Not twenty feet away
stood Colonel Grand tvirling a light
walking stick and surveying the
throng with disinterested eyes. He
had seer and ignored Ernie, but had
failed to recognize the young man
whose back was toward him Grand's
| presence in the station could have but
n meaning. A great wave of re-
vulsion swept through the Virginian.
His lips were dry. He lnoistened
them. Ernie, observing the movement,
concluded that he was muttering
something to himself.
Say it to his face, why don't you?"
he recommended sarcastically. Before
David could interpose the hunchback
called out to Colonel Grand. The lat
ter turned quickly. For a momen he
! stared ~intently at the face OF the tall
young man. Suddenly light broke in
upon him.
why, it's Jenison," he exclaimed
and advanced. an amiable smile or his
lips. David ignored the extended hand
Grand seemed to nave grown no
older, nor was he less repulsive to
look upon. AS Of old, he was care
fully, ever Immediately, dressed.
Ernie Cronk moved away. They
might have heard him chuckling softly
to himself.
Let me see. It's five years isn't
it," went on the colonel suavely.
You've changed considerably"
Thine has not affected you, colonel
retorted David.
so they tell me-" said the other
Are you waiting to meet some one?'
Yes" said David, and nothing more
The colonel twirled his stick. ny
~ 4, h fsr {r ~ rr{x -, h- 41, 4On =, -,
announced.
Your daughter is coming?" asked
David. The note OF eagerness and re.
lief In his voice caused the others
eyes to narrow suddenly.
You've met her. | believe" he said
studying David's face.
@Olce-at the Springs"
She's coming rather unexpectedly
t. make me an extended visit.
should deem it quite an honor, David
if you would give us the pleasure oil
your company some evening for din
ner-"
"My stay here is to be very brief
Colonel Grand, and my time is entire
| ly taken up" said David coldly.
I'm sorry" said the colonel, shrug
ging his shoulders in self commisera
ton.
Il met your wife also at the
Springs" said David.
The colonel frowned slightly. "You
are doubtless aware that my wife and
l are no longer living together" he
said. his lips strengthening.
Il have heard something to that eff
feet" said David easily, so easily that
the other could not mistake the in
science of the remark.
Grand flushed. II am happy to say
young man, that my train is pulling
in. must therefore, deny myself the
pleasure Of conversing with you any
longer. Good day, sir"
He did not bow as he turned away
David fixed his eager gaze on the
throng pouring into the big waiting
room. First. he saw Roberta Crane
as she came rushing up to her father
He was struck by the swift change
that came over the %colonel's face, who
stared in amazement over the girls
shoulder, even as he embraced her.
Mary Braddock approached, appar
emily unconscious OF the presence O
either Of her old associates. Sh,
walked beside a decrepit old gentle
man whom David at n G. surmised tt
be Albert Portraen. A maid and
male attendant followed close behind
Christine was no In sight.
Mrs. Braddock saw Grand when no
more than half a dozen PAGES separ
ated them. She almost stopped II
her tracks. David detected the lool
of surprise a1d dismay in her face.
She did not see David Jenison, 81
though he might have touched her b,
moving two steps forward.
Time had made few changes Iii he
appearance. Her face was softer, gen
tier II possible; her carriage was a!
erect and as proud as W.
Christine was sure to be not far be
hind her mother. He saw her at last
a laggard at the end of the hurryin,
procession. She passed close by him
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