The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1913-04-17
CHAPTER XVII.
At Cross-Purposes.

~ SISoo-E W RSoCcs
She sat for a moment silent, gazing
up the street, but breathing heavily.
This was not the reception she had an.
ticipated, and 1t was difficult to deter.
mine swiftly what course she had best
pursue. Realizing the hold she had
one had upon this man, 1t had
occurred to her mind that her influ.
ence had altogether departed. Her
beauty had never failed before to win
such victory, and she had trusted now
in reviving the old smouldering pas
sion into sudden fame. Yet already
she comprehended the utter useless.
ness Of such an experimentation
was no smouldering passion to be
famed; his Indifference was not as
sumed. The discovery angered her.
but long experience had brought con
troll; 1t required only a moment to re-
adjust her faculties, to keep the bitter
ness out Of her voice. When she again
faced him it was to speak quietly.
with convincing ~earnestness.
Eyes, I realize 1t Is too late for ex-
plantations" she acknowledged, 80 I
will attempt M I wished you to
know, however, that I did not desert
you for that man. This was my prin-
cipal purpose in sending for you"
DO you know where he ISL"
She hesitated ever so slightly, yet
he. watching her closely, noted it.
mo; at the close of the war he
came home, commanding the regiment
which should have been yours. Within
three months he had converted all the
family property into cash and depart.
ed. There was a m that he was
engaged in the cattle business"
You actually expect me to believe
all this-that you knew nothing Of his
plans-were not, indeed, a part of
tthem?"
81 am Indifferent as to what you be.
lieve," she replied coldly. But you are
ungentlemanly to express yourself 80
freely. Why should you say that?"
Because I chance to know more
than you suppose. Never mind how
the information reached me; had II
been less authentic you might find me
hoW AioAC oooSCPeipiC W yOuI pItS'
ence, more choice in my language. A
carefully conceived plot drove me
from the Confederate service, Il
which you were as deeply involved as
LIE Fevre. us double OBJECT was 70
advance him in rank and get me out
Of the way. The plan worked perfect
ly; / could have met and fought
either object alone, but the two COM.
bined broke me utterly. I had no spir-
It Of resistance left. Yet even then
In spite Of that miserable letter. re-
tanned faith In you. l returned home
to learn the truth from your own lips,
only to discover you had already gone.
I was a month learning the facts;
then 1 discovered you had married LIE
Fevre in Richmond; I procured the at
fdavit of the officiating clergyman.
Will you deny now?"
mo-" changing her manner instant
ly-"what Is the use? I married the
man, but I was deceived, misled.
There was no conspiracy in which I
was concerned. I did not know where
you were; from then until this after
noon ! never saw or heard of you.
Molly told me of her rescue by a sol
der named Hamlin, but I never sus-
pected the truth until we drove by
the barracks. Then I yielded to my
first mad impulse and sent that note.
II you felt toward me with such bit
.terness. why did you come here? Why
consent to meet me againf"
my yielding was to q second i'm
pulse. At first I decided to ignore
your note; then came the second con-
sideration-Miss Mcdonald"
"Oh," and she laughed. "at last I
read the riddle. Not satisfied with
saving that young lady from savages,
you would also preserve her youthful
innocence from the contamination Of
my influence. Quite noble Of you.
surely. Are you sware q our rela-
tionshipi"