Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1915-03-25

There WilS the GUNNER. " u Siul'c w
Ruti's lips as she answered mcckly.
Then you don't tliilk Tint sitting
a%rvuid-nnd making Lore ~, me-s-
worth while" 3,!s.s {
For a moment j ohn stood and stared
at her. The blood RUSHED into his face.
Then the full meaning ut her light
evasion Of his real meaning struck him
like II blow between. the .eycs.
His heart was filled with tlove for
her. a love that had grown aud inc:eas-
I'd since the hour when he mad first
seen her ut old Tom Gallons door.
He hadtlought that bis devoted serv.
Ice. TO her interests. his constant ntten-
ton to the slightest detail that could
insure her future happiness. would
have published TINT love to her.
He was minded to tell her. now. to
foregto all else in order to WOO her for
himself. t. s
Ruth be begin. Bnt some sub
tie change in her manner froze the not
words on. his lips. ; :
"WpIl," he went on.scontrolling him
self by a. tremendous effort and trying
to speak lightly. t"I'n be OFF, Thank
heaven !you'll be snfe here"
i There was a struggle In Itntt's breast
too. Yet the memory of her promise
to Tave:sham stilled her. = <.
la that long and terrible moment she
realized that John Dorrt was all IN all
to her. Yet she, was bound to another
who had riskcd Mis- life on the strength
Of her promise to marry him. and she
could not speak what was in hct heart.
She tried to look John brnvely IN the
y and the tears would corne IN
spite Of her. 3 z
She bowed her head, and so be- left
her, with bitterness in his soul. but
the firm resolve to carry out his self
appointed task no matter what.the out
come. u
Faversham was rs good ms Ills word.
and the old native agreed once more to
risk the hills and guard. this stranger
who. he was convinced. had lost his
mind. u 4 .@asE. .a,
But his duty a plain and Sir Don.
aids !njunctions not to be trited with.
That evening the two Of them set forth.
following In the track of WilkersOn
md his party.
That John should have departed
without further farewell hurt Ruth
sorely.
1t seemed to mark a definite break
in their frank relations. and she felt
that when be returned withatile plans
she would have to receive him on an
entirely newyfooting- the footing Of a
business man with his employer.
And while the hurt was fresh she
turned to- Sir lDonald gratefully. He
had acted most delicateay To tall their
experiences together. He had proved
his devotion by coming with them to
India and during ,the' horrible night.
mare when their hotel had been the
center Of assault by fanatical natives.
He had accepted her promise without
undue esactiOns. He had seemed to be
waiting ;tilla be and shesacould speak
more definitely.
Faversham was By no means dull,
and be p!aIySSessdf} tie part Of a kind friend
during tie: first days nj .foln's alb
scficet lboilf5 - s.G ! /, &.s. r43t ]
He kn2sWg. tRlaa1t Dorr was in love With
Ruth; and he strongly SUSPECTED that
her feeling for him had once bordered
on love.
He would, tear. OPEN no old wounds.
Hc, was devoted, cheerful. always ut
her call. hut newer sinsistent on his
privileges fs @4 sst : w.
Tie American corisut.iiked him froi,
the first and told bis wife that Ruth
would be = fool If she preferred a hare.
Drained idiot to a solid gentleman with
no nonsense about him and assured spo-
sition in society. &| III [ NY
Mrs. Reynolds. having been rebuffed
when she sought Rnth's condolences,
merely stated Il as her opinion. that
all girls We're alke.Ia dogma the con-
sui was too wissiO argue.
But he gave Sir Donald the freedom
Of the consulate. and, saw to It tliat be
Ind every chance 10 visit With Ruth.
Now, the baronetS+wa& not only no
dullard, but lie hid been bred in q
school that forbade litm% to linger too
long before clnimlng Ruth openly. as
his %t1ancee.
AZ exactly the right moment he Of:
fercd iler-al gorgeous ring and pressed
his suit ardently. He said nothing OF
the, promise he had exncted. and Ruth
for very shnine's sake accepted the
ring and the ensuing congratulations OF
Mr.. Reynolds, his wife and their
friends. IL,
Deep in her heart she felt herself
a traitor to John Dorr. alone on biz
perilous errand, gone into the hills
without even 4 stray word OF his safe.
tyi coming buck: @ Az ~
1t was not long before Dorr., through
his servants ready tongue, leurned o.
the flight Of the priests with the idol,
their subsequent defeat by Wilkerson
and that mans escape. together with
Drake. There was but one thing to do
follow Wilkers0n.
The native guide received the new,
OF, their change Of objective with un'
disguised contentment. Is
Sir Donald's commands alone had
forced, him to disobcy bis own III.