The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1916-11-30

away from him! Blu that she might
n do. for all his threats would then
probably be made good by him upon
her dear mother and brother. No, she
u be patient and bear to the end all
that was set down for her. But she
WOULD get out and breathe a little be-
fore he returned. He had very likely
gone into he smoker. She remem-
bered that the George of old had been
an lnveterate smoker of cigarets. She
would ave time for a taste of the
morning while he had his smoke. And
if he returned and found her gone
what mattered it? The inevitable be-
ginning of conversations which she so
dreaded would be put off for a time.
She never thought to come upon him
standing thus alone. looking of at the
beauty of the morning as if he en-
Joyed it. The sight of him held her
still, watching. as his sleeping face
mad held her gaze earlier in the morn
ing. How different he was from what
she had expected. How the 10 years
had changed him.. One could almost
fancy it might have changed his spirit
also-but for those letters-those terri
BILE letters. The writer of those let
ters could not change, except for he
worse!
And yet, he was handsome, intellec-
tual looking, kindly in his bearing, APP
preclatlve of the beauty about him
SAAS Souli oSiiS I. II DIS IIlOSl as
tonishing. He had lost that baggy look
under his eyes, and the weak, selfish,
cruel pout of lip she remembered so
keenly.
Then he turned, and a smile of de-
light and welcome lit up his face. In
spite of herself, She could not keep an
answering smile from glimmering
family in her own.
What! You up and out here?" he
said, fastening closer to the step. How
are you feeling this morning? Better,
I'm sure, or you would not be here so
early"
"Oh, 1 had to get out to the air" she
sald. Il couldn't stand the car another
minute. l wish we could walk the rest
of the way"
d you" he said, with a quick, sur
prised appreciation in his coice. a! was
Just wishing something like that my
self. Do you see that beautiful straight,
road down there? l was longing to.
slide down this bank and walk over to
that little village for breakfast. Then
we u get an auto, perhaps, or a!
carriage, to take us on, to another
train. If you hadn't been so i'll last
night, l might ave proposed it."
Could we?" she asked earnestly. eI'
should like it 50 much" INC there was
eagerness in her voice. What a lovely
morning." Her eyes We're wistful, like
the eyes of those who weep and Won
der why they may not laugh, since sun
shine is still yellow.
"of course we could" he said, eff
you We're only able"
"Oh, I'm able enough. 1 should much
much rather do thai than to go back
INTO that stuffy car. But wouldn't they
think 1t aWfully queer Of US to run
away from the train this way?"
They needn't know anything about
1t" he declared. like a boy about to
play truant. I'll slip back in the car
n get our suit cases. Is there any-
thing of yours might be in danger of
leaving behind?"
No, l put everything in my suit case
before l came out" she said, listlessly, |
as though h had already lost her de-
sire to so.
I'm afraid you are not able" he
said, pausing s~olicitously as he scaled
the steps.
She was surprised at his interest in
her welfare.
why, OF course I am" she said, in
sistently. Il have often taken longer
walks than that looks to be, and I shall
feel muck better for being out. I real
~ feel as If / couldn't stand It any
longer in there"
Good! Then we'll try it,"
He hurried In for the baggage and
left her standing on the cinder roadbed
beside the train looking off at the
opening morning.