The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1914-11-19

for a long time. "Oh, I know you mean
1t, Sara. but-but how can It be true! 2"
Put yourself In my place." was all
chat Sara said In reply. and her com
panion had no means OF translating
the sentence.
She could only remain mute and
wondering, her eyes fixed on that
other mystery, the cameo face in the
noon hat hung high above the som,
Der forest.
Poor Leslie" murmured Sara, a
long time afterward, a dreamy note
in her voice. II can't put him out
OF my thoughts. He will never get
over 1t. l have never seen one so
stricken and yet so brave. He would
have been more than a husband to
you, Hetty. 1t is In him to be a slave
to the woman he loves. l know him
well. poor boy"
Hetty was silent, brooding. Sara
resumed her thoughtful observations.
why should you let what happened
months ago stand in the way Of"
She got no farther than that. With
an exclamation OF horror, the girl
sprang away from her and gIowered at
her with dilated eyes.
MY God, Sara!" she whispered
hoarsely. Are you madT"
This other sighed. Il suppose you
must think 1t Of me-" she said dis
mally. we are made differently, you
and l. II l cared for a man. nothing
in all this world could stand between
me and him"
Hetty was still staring. You don't
mean to say you would have me marry
Challis Wrandall's brothsrI" she said.
In a sort of stupefaction.
Sara shook her head. II mean this:
YOU would be justified In permitting
Leslie to glorify that which his broth
er desecrated; your womanhood. my
dear"
My God, Sara!" again fell in a
hoarse whisper from the girls lips.
Il simply voice my point of view"
explained Sara calmly. "As l said
before, we look at things differently"
Il can't believe you mea what you
said" cried Hetty. "Why-why. II l
loved him with all my heart, soul and
body l could not even think Of Oh,
| shudder to think OF It'll"
Il love you" continued Sara, fixing
her mysterious eyes on those Of the
girl. and yet you took from me soms-
thing more than a brother. l love
you. knowing everything, and l am
paying In full the debt he owes to
you. Leslie, knowing nothing, is 20
less your debtor. AL this is paradox.
remember that while other people
may be indebted to us, we also owe
something TO ourselves. We ought to
take pay from ourselves. Please do
not conclude that I am urging or
even advising you to look with favor
upon Leslie Wrandall's honorable, sin
cere proposal of marriage. am mere
ly trying to convince you that you
are entitled to all that any nan IA
give you In this world OF ours-we
women all are, for that matter"
II was sure that you couldn't ask me
10 marry him. l couldn't believe"
Forget what / have said, dearest,
II 1t g~rieves you." cried Sara warmly.
She arose and drew the girl close to
her. kiss me, Hetty." Their lips
met. The girls eyes were closed, Int
Sara's were wide open and cleaning.
1T Is because l love you" she said
softly. but she did not complete the
sentence that burned In her brain.
To herself she repeated: 1T Is be-
cause l love you that l would scourge
you with Wrandalls!"
you are very good to me, Sara"
sobbed Hetty.
you will be nice to Leslie?"
yes, yes! II he will only let me
be his friend"
"He asks no more than that. Now,
you must go to bed"
Suddenly, without warning. she held
the girl tightly in her arms. Her
breathing was quick. as OF one
moved by some sharp sensation Of ter
ror When Hetty, In no little won
der. opened her eyes Sara's face was
turned away. and she was looking
over her shoulder as II cause for alarm
had come from behind.
What is it?" cried Hetty a~nxiously.
She saw the look Of dread In her
companions eyes. v en al 1t began
to fade.
81 don't know" muttered Sara.
Something. l can't tell what, came
over me. / thought some one was
stealing up behind me How silly OF
me-"
"Ah." said Hetty, with an odd smile,
~ can understand how you felt"
"Hetty. will you take me In with
you tonight" whispered Sara nerv,
ously. Let me sleep with you.
can't explain 1t, but l am afraid to
be alone tonight" The girls answer
was q glad smile OF acQuiescence
Come with me. then. to my bedroom
while l change. have the Queerest
feeling that some ons Is In my room
I don't want to be alone. Are you
afraid7"
betty held back, her face blanching
mo. ! am not afraid" she cried q
once. and started toward the door.
There II some on In this ROOM
said Sara . few uomsnts later. whsu
thy were In the big bedroom dou
- hall.
vo-k>-- usSs