The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1915-05-27
CHAPTER VIn.-(Continued)

Larly interested In what was going on
out OF doors. He leaned forward to look
and. accidentally, their hands touched.
They drew them apart as II each had
come in contact with a burning coal.
They laughed convulsively, in apology.
He's q strange man." said Eric
hastily, covering his confusion. Then
his face clouded. II say, your father
looked at me in a mighty strange way
out there. Just as IL / had been doing
something 1 shouldn't have done"
She hesitated, uncertain whether to
d TO his distress Of mind or to COM
plete what she a set out to do in the
beginning.
Your aunt told 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 "a murderous look
In your eyes when she offers the slight
est reproof or advice"
Eric laughed. He was able now to
enjoy the situation. They expect me
to slaughter someone before 1 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 taught" she cried, pouting.
Il shan't tell you anything more"
II can't help laughing" he said.
Don't begrudge me the chance to laugh
at Mr. Presbrey. Why, Joan, he gets
me or in a corner and prays over me
as II l were the original sheep that
was lost from the other 80 and 9. 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 over my re-
mains. But l nave good news for gu:
Mr.. Presbrey says I've got a splendid
chance to get into heaven in spite of all
that. All l have to do is to follow him.
He'll get me in, slick as a whistle. He's
going to get Mary in, 90. He's got
Uncle Horace and Aunt Rena waiting
at the gate right now. All they have
TO do to get in Is to die. Chetwynd,
too"
You shouldn't scofr," she cried, but
smiled in spite of the reproof.
well, I'm glad that your father
doesn't believe I'm as bad as they make
me out" he said soberly. "He-he shook
hands with me twice out there, and told
me I'd find you here. That shows what
he thinks Of me-"
Her face frightened, a glorious light
suffused her eyes, her Lips parted in a
warm, glad smile.
"Oh, l am so glad, Eric. II was
afraid he might be preJudiced against
you. You know how much store he
sets by Mr.. Blagden. And he a 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 overcame the
timid brain that stood in its way. It
swept all resistance aside and tri.
umphed over reason. The look in her
warm, sweet eyes did the work. With
q half cry, he slipped from the seat
n sprang to her side. Before either
really knew what had happened his
arms were around her and he had
kissed her, eagerly. bravely, full upon
the 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
remorse began to creep over him, the
her hand caught one of his as 1t was
about to be withdrawn. She convul-
sively pressed II to her lips. Then her
Eyes opened and looked into his. Tears
swan In them as he looked down, dazed
and unbelieving.
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 smooth
cred in his throat. She returned her
head On his breast and began to cry
softly. Physical expression Of love was
new n bewildering to them. They
were amazed, frightened, abashed.
"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 moment. ONE
thing decisive, and honorable. and ex-
anftn1 Tar nnHrIoa- ft0hknnol uytkA
involuntary fervor. She hid her shamed
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 breathless 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
manding that he could understand 1t,
even as he doubted his senses.
The faintest nod of h head an
swered him. He caught his breath,
striving to find an outlet for his feel
ings. The words came in a whisper:
"I-Tve had dreams, but they were
never like this. Oh. I've dreamed 1t l.
900 times. 1 never thought II could be
real. Are you sure, Joan? II isn't be-
cause I'm so strong you-you can't get
away, is it? You are moi angry"
mo, no! I'm not angry, Eric" she
EIlCu SOLlly. Obg IN 81 dohdIlCu.
You-you don't think I'm bold and"
He kissed her again, triumphantIy.
The eternal man in him was solving
the problem. Victory! Conquest! That
Is the man of 1t.
II didn't believe IT could ever hap
pen" he cried, aglow with bliss. TT
don't see how I ever got up the courage
10 do it. Why, until now, I thought
you liked me just on gMary's account.
What funny things girls are. And you've
been liking me - like this all the
diner"
Not like this" she said wtstfully,
looking up for the first time and meet
ing his eyes. I'D never thought OF
this"
We'll be s~weethearts forever" he
hesItated and then uttered the word for
the first time, shyly. awkwardly-
darling"
IF you will always like me-" she
murmured.
You won't let anybody come between
US, will your" he demanded. You'll not
let them change o with their stories
about me?"
"As II they could!' she exclaimed.
"Oh, Eric, you must not do THAR Sup
- 49, " tha