Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1915-05-27
CHAPTER vIu.-(Continued).

1NANS SSSCd III NIlat guns oi
out of doors. He leaned forward to look
and. accidentally, their hands touched.
Ihey drew them apart as if u had
come in contact with a burning coal.
They laughed convulsively, in apology.
Hes a strange man" said Eric
his face clouded. Il say, your father
looked at me in a mighty strange way
out there. Just as if 1 had been doing
something l shouldn't ave done"
She hesltated, uncertain whether to
add to his distress of mind or to COM
plete VIVA she had set out to do in the
beginning.
Your aunt old him yesterday that
she is afraid of you Eric" she blurted
out Wrathfully. She says you once
tried to kill Chetwynd, and that some
times she catches IA murderous look
in your eyes when she offers the slight
est reproof or advice
Eric laughed. He was able now to
enjoy he situation. They expect me
to slaughter someone before | die he
chuckled.
She was very serious about it," pro-
tested Joan, displeased by his levity.
She says that Mr.. Presbrey works
with you by the hour, trying to-
Please don't laugh" she cried, pouting.
Il shan't tell you anything more"
Il can't help laughing he said.
Don't begrudge me the chance to laugh
at Mf. PreSbrey. Why, joan, he gets
me off in a corner and prays over me
as II l We're the original sheep that
was lost from the other 80 and 8. I'm
half way to the bad place all the time,
according to him. and he's in a contin-
ual scrap with the devil owe my re-
mains. But l have good news for YOU:
Mr.. Presbrey says I've got a splendid
chance to get into heaven i'll spite of all
that. All / have to do is to follow him.
He'll get me in, slick as a whistle. He's
going to get Mary in, too. He's got
Uncle Horace and Aunt Rena waiting
at the gate right now. All they nave
to do to get in is to die. Chetwynd,
too"
You shouldn't scott" she cried, but
smiled in spite of the reproof.
We'll. I'm glad that your father
doesn't believe I'm as bad as they make
me out" he said sober]y. "He-he shook
hands with me twice out there, and told
me ia find you here. That shows what
he thinks Of me-
Her a frightened, a glorious light
suffused her eyes, her lips parted in "a
warm, glad smile.
"Oh, l am SO glad, Eric. IL was
afraid he might be prejudiced against
you. You know how much store he
sets by Mr.. Blagden. And he can be
very hard when he wants to be. He
he has to be heartless sometimes, my
father does"
Eric returned her smile with one
equally enveloping. Suddenly the
shackles OF fear and self restraint fell
away from him. His heart leaped up
and in one swift rush overca1ne the
timid brain that stood in its way. 1t
swept all resistance aside and tri-
nmphed over reason. The look in her
warm. sweet eyes did the work. With
a half cry, he slipped from the seat
and sprang to her side. Before either
really knew what had happened his
arms were around her and he had
kissed her. eagerly, b~ravely, full upon
tho lips.
'Oh, Joan, joan" he whispered. She
did not move, but closed her eyes. and
appeared to have stopped breathing.
Then he felt a dreadful fear stealing
over him.. AS the chill of shame and
remors began to creep over him, the
slender body quivered in his arms. and
her hand caught n of his as it was
about to be withdrawn. She convul-
sively pressed 1t to her lips. Then her
eye opened and looked into his. Tears
swan in them as he looked down, dazed
and unbelieving.
Eric, Eric she whispered, so soft
ly. so timidly that he could hardly hear
the word. You dear, dear Eric
He was dumb with joy. His lips
moved. but the words remained s,noth-
cred in his throat. She returned her
head on his breast and began to cry
cANtS 4 HN ~ SapA 'SSloII u 1oNS " ID
new and bewildering to them. They
were amazed, frightened. ahashed.
"Are-are we going to be sweet
hearts?" he asked, out of the maze of
strange sensations. He only knew. or
felt. that something vital was expected
Of him in this wonderful momen some
thing decisive, and honorable. and ex-
acting. Her handclasp frightened with
Involuntary fervor. She hid her sha1ned
face more completely in its resting
place, and a delicious pink covered her
cheek and the little ear that was left
exposed. He repeated the question. al
most GREATNESS with the eagerness that
filled his soul, tingling from head to
foot with the exquisite agony of JOY
that was growing so full and com
p1andiTg that he could understand it,
even as he doubted his senses.
The faintest nod of the head an
swered him: He caught his breath.
striving to find an outlet for his feel,
ings. The words came in a whisper:
live had dreams. but they were
never. like this. Oh. I've dreamed it l.
600 times. I never thought it could be
real. Are you sure, Joan? 1t isn't be
cause I'm SO strong you-you can't get
away, ia it? You are not angry"
NO. no. lin not angry, Eric she
cried softly. "oh. I'm SO ashamed.
You-Nou don't think I'm bold and
He kissed her again. triumpilan1iy
The eternal man in him was solving
the problem. Victory! Conquest! That
is the man Of it.
Il didn't believe it could ever hap
pen" he cried. aglow with bliss. II
don't see how I ever got up the courage
TO do 1t. Why. until now. I thought
you liked me Just on Mary's account.
What funny things girls are. And you've
been liking me = like this = all TIE
time?"
Not like this she said wistfully.
looking up for the first time and meet
ing his eyes. I'd never thought Of
this"
We'll be sweethearts forever" he
hesitated and then uttered the word for
The first time. shyly, awkwardly-
darling"
IF o will always like me- she
nlurmured.
You won let anybody come between
US, will you?" he demanded. You'll not
let them change you with their stories
about me?"
LAS If they could" she exclaimed.
"Oh, Eric. you must not do that! Sup
pose that father came in. or one of the
maids. Please. pleased"
I'm SO happy | can't help-That re-