Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1916-11-30

w i'S ASNb atId pei lldpS CScIl u
vented. 1t certainly was better not to
have it known where they got off. He
a taken the precaution to close the
stateroom door behind him, and SO it
might be some time before their ab-
sence would be discovered. Perhaps
there would be other stops before the
train reached Buffalo, in which case
their track would not easily be fol-
lowed. He had no idea that the evil
eye of his pursuer was even then upon
him.
Celia was already on the ground,
LOOKING off toward the little village
wistfully. Just how 1t was to make
her lot any brighter to get out of the
traln and run away to a strange little
village she did not quite explain to
herself. but 1t seemed to be a relief to
her pent UP feelings. She was half
AFRAID that George might raise some
new objection when he returned.
Gordon swung himself down on the
cinder path, scanning the track either
way, The conductor and brakemen
were not in sight. Far in the distance
n black speck was rushing down upon
them. Gordon could hean the vibration
of he rail of the second track, upon
which he placed his foot as he helped
Celia across. In a moment more the
that they should be down the embank-
ment, out of sight. Would the delicate
girl not be afraid of the steep incline?
She hesitated for just an in
slant at the top, for it wa very
steep. Then, looking up 1t him, she
saw that he expected her to go down
with him. She gave a little frightened
gasp, set her lips and started.
He held her as we'll as he could with
Two sultcaseS and an umbrella ciutched
IN his other hand, and finally, as the
grade grew sleeper, he let go the bag
gage altogether, and it slid briskly
down by itself, while he devoted him
self to steadying the girls now inevita-
BILE and swift descent
1t certainly was not an ideal way of
travelling, this new style of gravity
road, but 1t landed them without DELAY,
though much shaken and scratched and
Invested of every vestige of dignity. 1t
was impossible not to laugh and Celia's
voice rang out merrily, showing thai
she had pot always Wept n looked
sorroWfuh.
Are you hurt?" asked Gordon anx-
lously. holding her hands and looking
down at her tenderly.
Before she could reply, the express
train roared above them, drowning
their voices and laughter; and whom
1t was past they saw their own train
TAKE up its interrupted way grulnbling-
~. and rapidly off. II the pas
s on those two. trains had not
been deeply wrapped in slumber, they
might have been surprised to see two
i~ash1onably attired young persons, with
hats awry n clasped hands, laugh
Ing in a country road at 5 o'clock Of a
May morning. But only one was awake.
and by the time the two in the road
below remembered to look up and take
notice. the trains We're rapidly disap-
pearing.
The girl had beer deeply impressed
with Gordon's solicitude for her. 1t
was SO out Of keeping with his letters.
he had never seemed to care whether
she suffered or not. In all the
ments, he had said what he wanted, in
deed what he would have, with an i'm
piled threat in the framing OF his SEN
tence in case she dared demur. Never
had there been the least expression of
desire for her happiness. Therefore it
was something of a surprise to find
Perhaps, after all. he would not prove
so terrible to live with as she had
feared. And yet-how could anyone
VINO wrote those letters have any al
leviating qualities? 1t could not be.
h must harden herself against him.
Stu, If he would be outwardly decent
to her, it would make her lot easier. of
course.
But her course of mental reasoning
WAS broken in upon by his stout de-
nunciations of himself.
Il ought not to have allowed you to
slide down there" he declared. 1T was
terrible. after what you went through
and rough it was. Indeed I didn't.
don't see how you ever can forgive me-
Why. I'm not hurt" she said gently,
.astonished at his solicitation. There
a strange lump in her throat
brought by his kindness. which threat
ened tears. Just why should kindness
from an unexpected quarter bring
tears?
I'm only a little shaken up she
went on as she saw 2 real anxiety in
his brown eyes, "and l don't mind it
in the least. 1 think it was rather fun,
don't you?"
A faint glimmer Of a smile wavered
over the corners of her mouth. and
Gordon experienced a sudden desire to
was q strange new feeling. He had
never had any such thought about Julia
Bentley.
why, why, yes, 1 guess so, If you
are sure you're not hurt"
Not a bit h said. and then, for
some unexplained reason, they both be-
gan to laugh. After that they felt bet
ter.
III your shoes are as full Of these
miserable cinders as mine are, they
emptying." declared Gordon, shak-
ing first one well shod foot and then
the other, and looking ruefully at the
little velvet boots of the lady.
Suppose you sit down''-he looked
about for a seat, but the dewy grass
was the only resting place visible. He
pitched upon the suitcases and I'M
provised a chair. Now, sit down and
let me take them off for you."
He knelt in the road at her feet as
she obeyed, protesting that she could
do 1t for herself. But he overruled her,
and began clumsily to inhibition the
tiny buttons, holding the timid little
firmly, almost re%verently, against
his knee.
He drew the velvet shoe softly of,
and. turning it upside down, shook out
the %intruding cinders. put a clumsy
finger in to make sure they were all
gone: then shyly, tenderly. passed his
over the sole of the fine, silk
foot that rested so lightly
on his knee, to max sure no cinders
chung to it. The sight and touch of
little foot stirred him deeply. He
had never before been called upon to
render service so intimate to n wom-
and, and he did 1t now with half avert
ed gaze and the utmost respect in his
manner. AS he did it he tried to speak
about the morning, the departing train.
kho eron1,f~c~ nioJ.n. --xla.-