The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1913-01-03
CHAPTER I.
Twilight in the Park.

The voice was frm. but the lad,
herself hesitated as she stepped from
the tonneau. There was no answer
Holding the tapping ends of her vel
away from her face. she turned ant
looked fairly ut the driver OF th'
machine
He seemed a businesslike. capable
man though certain minor details o
his chaufTeur's rig were a bit unusual
and aow that he had been obliged. b!
some discomfort. 10 remove his soS
giles his face appeared pleasant anc
quite untanned. His passenger noted
these things. remarking: "Oh. II ism I
Renaud."
mo. Mademoiselle: Renaud hadn';
showed up at the Office when you tel
ephoned. so they put me on in his
place"
All. See" Accent seemed 10 i'm
ply. however, that she was not quite
pleased. The manager sent you. And
your name is"
My name-rather odd name
Hand"
The face half hidden behind the veil
remained imaassive. \ moments hes
itation. and then the lady turned
away with short. You will watt
AS mademoiselle wishes. or shall
] perhaps follow slowly along the
drive?"
No. wait here. shall return
soon.
Tho Young woman walked away.
erect well.poised. lifting skirts skill.
fully as she paused 4 moment ~ the
top II the stone steps leading down
into Tho tiny park The driver OF the
machine free from observation. al
lowed a DerpleXed look 10 occupy his
courjonarce What the devil is to
pay j.: she doesn't return--soon!"
The avenue lifts a camel's hump
toward the sky IN the space OF fifteen
blocks. and on the top secure as the
howd2h OF a chieftain stands the
noble portico OF the old college To
the westward. as every one knows.
lie 'he river and the moro pretentious
park; on the east an abrupt descent
offers space for n small grassy plav-
ground for children who may be seen,
during the sunny hours OF the day.
romTinc over the slope.
As the gaze OF the woman swept
over the charming little pleasauce. and
beyond. over the miles Of sirn.boards.
roofs. chinneys and intersecting
streets. the serious look disappeared
from her face. Summer haze and die.
lance shed a gentle beauty over wha.
she knew TO be a clamoring city
New York. Angles were softened.
noises subdued. sensational scenes
lost IN the aimmed perspective. To
n chance observer. tho prospect would
have been deeply suggestive: In he
woman Z, stirred many memories. She
put back her veil; her face Slowed:
long Sigh escaped her lips Slowly
she walked down the stops. along the
slorinc path 10 turn. where she sank
down or 4 bench \ rosy. tired child.
rather the worse for wud-pios. and
hanging reluctantly at the hand OF
noachalart nurse. brought a biz Of
thc woman's emotion 10 the surface.
She smiled ladiantly az the tagging
infant
tho face revealed BY tho upll!ted
vel WAS OF a type 10 accompany the
yul'hfGl but womanly figure and the
spirited tread Beautiful she would
be counted. without doubt. by many
an observer; those who loved her
would call her beautiful without stint.
But more appealing than her beauty
was tho fine spirit-a strong. free
spiy loving honesty and courage
which slowed like a flame behind her
beauty BEST OF all, perhaps. was
touch OF quain,ness. a slightly comic
twist 20 her lips. an imperceptible
alerrnoss ~ manner. which revealed
TO the Initiated that she had n sense
OF humor Ia excellent running order
II rs evident that the little rycur
sion was 81 the nature Of pilgrimage
The idle hour. the bit OF holiday. be.
cane 2 memorial "a recollection
hrou AZ back 20 her the DAYS Of child.
hood spcnt down yocder, few soua res
away. In this very city. They seemed
bright IN retrospect. like the pleasant
paths a. 4 quiet garden, bat they had
ended o5ruptly and had been followed
by years OF activity and colorful expe.
ricLca ia another country. Through II
az what anticipations had been lodged
IN hcT return 20 Home! Something
There would complete the story-the
story with its secret ecstasies and as
pira:ions the story OF the ardent
springs II youth.
Withdrawing her gaze from the
scene below. though with apparent re-
luetaace. she took from the pocket Of
her cont an opened envelope which
she ;csarded moment with thought
fulat1s. before drawing forth the en-