Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1914-03-05

down. Tell me all about yourself.
thought"-she hesitated-'since you'd
now!"
I'm practising law here" he ~-
swered quietly.
Going to settle Town here?"
She looked al him with a pity that
ingly in the year. II shouldn't think
you could stand It. I couldn't. Oh, to
be somebody! And do something! I
remember the nights I used to climb
the hills and stare off across the river
and wonder! Out there was something
hadn't sent my picture to the paper
I'd have been there yet-climbing
Eagle Point trail at sunset to watch
the light go out-just as lonely as OF
old"
some way or other they were stu.
softly. Done come up-river! Done
goin' to occupy the land! That's what
he'd say. Done goin' to find the land
of joy!" She turned to Wiley suddenly.
And before go am going to climb the
hills once more. And I'm going out to
me on the place. l just want some-
body whose eyes get brighter when l
come among 'em And Uncle Mich's
will. Mr.. Curran!"
II know they will, Aurelie. And
knute's and Peters and the baby's!
And surely all Of US! The land of joy?
You'll bring 1t to them out there, Au-
relic. You've sent them so much stuff
and money--they'd ave half-starved
last winter, when Albert, the pedler.
was sick, if you hadn't done that. John
knew you were sending the money.
too, but he pretended he did not. Why,
we all like you, Aurelie."
Pm glad" she answered, and stood
in the doorway looking over the town
with a %forgiving and proud simplicity.
They do like her" drawled the tired
blonde m from her chair. I've
been in stock five years, and before
that w over the Beckrneyer &
I've seen EN- all. When I tie to a kid.
she's got to nave it. Split-week vaude-
Vile and cheap stock don't leave you
no illusions. But Aurelie-Im going to
take this kid to New York and get her
in right If I have to sell my shoes"
quired Mr.. Curran innocently.
Who? Me-? The spotlight artist
sat UP and turned her heavy, good
humored face to him.. "Oh. Gawd-me
on Broadway! Say, you're one Of these
jay humorists, amt you? Cut out the
luHIly SCulI.
Now. Ada"-burst forth Aurelie-
you mustn't talk so! You're the best
and kindest woman I ever knew!" She
turned defiantly to the others: ooh, the
days and nights she coached me, and
r~ehearsed me-and dressed me-and
told me how to behave at hotel tables
and everything! Nor Dieu! Each
Norman!" She finished softly and
was staring out the window. Maybe
this town was right in laughing at me
in the old days. I guess I was funny!
And l felt SO bitter when went away.
But sitting here in Mr.. Curran's old.
shop, somehow, all that is dead. The
birds singing UP h cH1 and the smell
Of the corn and clover-it's all so
peaceful. 1 guess 1 was wrong
everybody would have been my friend
If 10 have let them. And now life is
big and beautiful. I almost think peo-
pie would be glad to see mel could
just owe the old place!"
Miss Vance glanced out to where her
brother was bringing the buggy across
the street. Harland, in the doorway,
was listening. But only Mr.. Curran
looked at her. If Aurelie had breathed
a prayer for forgiveness he could not
have stood in more mute reverence.
And suddenly Janet turned to see his
eyes. Then h crossed to Aurelie and
lifting the girls face, kissed her cheek.
She could not tell What compassion,
what unutterable remuneration, moved
her. Only she knew tina to Curran,
Aurelis would ever be the princess
whom he had released from the
witches spell. h was the secret of
his kindling fires, his new and exuIt-
ant life. For Janet there would be the
steadfast work, the long road. She
would still the faint dream of a mans
love. The other sort of woman, the
primal appeal, would win. Well, she
did not need this love, then.
She left Aurelie in a shy surprise,
and Wiley in wonder at this demon
stration. Janet was not given to it.
He watched her and Arne drive away,
and Harlan cross to the court house.
They We're guessing at his madness, it
seemed.
Aurelie decided that she and Miss
Norman would put up at the Parsons
house. She wanted to be seen by Miss
Amelia and to order, with her new air
of the world, the best room and to
comment critically on the sedate Par
sons house dinner. The Parsons fam
lily had kept the Parsons house and
once had entertained Stephen A.
Douglas. Miss Amelia kept the ira
dition as well as the hosiery so that
she had the eminent respect, If not the
patronage, Of the best people.
(CopfipI1c6 ro~t ,vaol,N