The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1915-10-14
CHAPTER XX-(CoNTINUED)

L 6Ol Ills aLIOuDItS III ~ H5iSAs
Joy that swept over him, in the discov-
cry that she was true after all. The
tender word. sweetheart" burst from
his lips. A mist swan before his eyes.
But, almost with his breath of JOY
came the chill that blighted 1t.
He would a to hurt her, after all.
His face grew bleak and h~aggard, his
lip trembled. She misconstrued the
emotion that was depicted there.
When / heard that you were here,
! insisted on coming home. she went
on breathlessly. Father telegraphed
to me last week. / had told him that
the yacht was to extend the cruise sew
eral weeks longer"
But you knew i was coming on the
sth." he said. you had my letters
They We're forwarded to me. l got
them at HAVANA. And, Eric she
continued. flushed and i'll at ease, u
was afraid you would hate me for my
treatment of Mary. / misjudged her.
1t was because / was jealous. She
preferred to be with JOIN Payson and
those women friends OF his. ! couldn't
help ~resenting 1T"
"Payson is n gentleman, I've found
that out for myself aid Eric, indi-
rectiy defending Mary.
1T was all so very childish of me-"
she confessed. Il am ashamed of my
self"
They were now walking slowly, side
by side, towar her home. Obviously,
Mary was no longer paramount to her
intentions.
He halted her abruptly.
Its no use, JOAN" he exclaimed. II
can't let it go on. Something has hap
pened. You Will know what it is be-
fore the day Is over. / haven't the
courage to tell YOU myself"
Her hand WAS on his arm.
Nothing can matter, ESic-nothing
In the world" she said glibly. You
~ a ~ lsCn N,,i-Jzl a. w.. 1x.-
grievance. but 1t Is imaginary. / can
smooth those lines away IL you will
Just be patient with me. You are
peeved and unhappy, you poor boy"
It's got TO end" he repeated dog
gedly.
ayes.
There isn't anyone else? ?" she asked,
after e moment.
No. mo-. he cried out bitterly.
Then why she began impetuous-
", but checked the words to say in
home with uae2 We will not say an
other word all the way When we are
In the house You may tell me avery
fhing- But You must conae with rue
They came upon Judge Bright in the
yard He smiled geniaiiy as they drew
nsar. failing to note the serious look
10 their faces or the detected droop of
Ericss head
The young man been thinking
hard during those blocks of self
imposed silence. He owed the truth TO
Joaa- + was wrong In him To even
iepared Tor the shock that was to
sorna later In the day. She should have
1t FIRST from his lips.
SO he wasn't offended BY the way
yon ran off and left him yesterdar-
began the Judge His daughters face
H tarrrnNa arx ~ 49, $50
lseath in disraay.
Eric smiled weariiy. So there had
aeen c-ompfnctionst She had talked
Il over with her father. There was
something In hat to be treasured.
The Judge a ahena. thrice IN rapid
succession. and fell away before the
naggers in jeans eyes. With a vers
perfunctory remark about the splea-
dor OF the day. he stood aside to let
Them pass. grimly certain of a bad
laf hour when she had him alone.
Her cheeks were still pink whe she
preceded Eric into the library. Turn
ms abruptly, h placed her hands on
his shoulders.
Eric, ! want you to hold me in your
TRIMS as YOU
He crushed her to his breast. For
A. long time they stood so. their hot
fonng lips meeting in long. ~derourtng
At last he released her. and drew
lack with a groan Of despair. She was
milling radiantly up into his eyes.
It isn't so terrible after all, is it ?'
lne cried breathiessly. Then she no.
ticed ms expression. Was 1t SO ter
rible as all that 7" she exclaimed. pout-
ing.
She was pulling OFF her gloves, all
the while watching him ais he stood
grim and silent against the huge IL
nrary table,. as II In need of support.
rsF ~ - ~ @a 49, f.--N H. n - -.