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

be discovered. and perhaps ven pre-,
vented. 1t certainly was better not tt
have it known where they got off. Fl,
a taken the precaution to close tn
stateroom door behind him, and so i
might be some time before their alb
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 evi
eye of his pursuer was even then upor
him..
Celia was already on the ground
looking off toward the little village
wistfully. lust how it was to make
her lot any brighter to get out of the
train and run away to a strange little
Village she did not quite explain tc
herself, but 1t seemed to be a relief tc
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
We're not in sight. Far in the distance
a black speck was rushing down upon
them. Gordon could hear the vibration
OF the rail of the second track, upon
which he placed his foot as he helped
train would pass. 1t was important
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 was very
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 well as he could with
TWO suitcases and an umbrella clutched
in. his other hand, and finally, as the
4 grl Ha cCnur ctnnrnr In 1At rD +l1 t~-s
gage altogether, and it slid briskly
down by itself, while he devoted him
self to ~steadying the girls now inevita-
bic and swift descent.
| 1t certainly was not an ideal way of
travelling, this new style Of gravity"
road, but it landed them without delay,
lnouSh 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 that
she had not always Wept and looked
sorrowful.
Are you hurt?" asked Gordon anx-
iously, holding her hands aaa looking
down at her tenderly.
Before she could reply, the express
tram roared above them, drowning
their voices and laughter; and when
IT was past they saw their own train
take up Its Interrupted way grumbling-
~, and rapidly move off. If the pas
sengers on those two trains had not
peen deeply wrapped in slumber, they
might have been surprised to see two
iashlonably attired young persons, with
mats aWry and clasped hands, laugh
ing IN a country road at S 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 were rapidly disap-
pearing.
The girl had been deeply impressed
with Gordon's solicitude for her. 1t
was 50 out of keeping with his letters.
she suffered or not. In all the ran
ments. he had said what he wanted, in
DEED what he would have, with an i'm
pied 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
MIN SO gentle n thoughtful of her.
after all, he would not prove
so terrible to live with as she had
feared. And yet-how could anyone
who wrote those letters have any al
~leviating qualities? It could not be,
She must harden herself against him.
Still, If he would be outwardly decent
to her, 1t would make her lot easier, of
course
But her course Of mental reasoning
was broker in upon by his stout de-
nunciations Of himself.
- ought'not to have allowed you to
slide down there" he declared. TT was
terrible, after what you went through
last night. l didn't realize how steep
and rough it was. Indeed I didn't. 4
don't see how you ever can forgive me-"
Why, I'm not hurt" she said gently,
astonished at his solicitation. There
was a strange lump in her throat
brought by his kindness, which threat
ened tears. Just why should kindness
from an unexpected quarter bring
tears?
Tn only a little shaken up" she
went on as she saw a real anxiety In
his brown eyes "and I don't mind it
In the least. | think it was rather fun,
don't you?"
A faint glimmer Of a smile wavered
over the corners of her mouth, and
Gordon experienced q, sudden desire to-.
take her in his arms and kiss her. 1t
was a strange new feeling. He had
V had any such thought about Julia
Bentley.
Why. why. yes, I guess so, If you
are sure you're not hurt"
mo- a bit" h said, and then, for
some unexplained reason, they both be-
gan to laugh. After that they felt bet
ter.
IL your shoes are as full Of these
miserable cinders as mine are, they
need emptying," declared Gordon, shak-
n6 AAtSt O4o we'll SIlOQ IOOl ana then \
the other, Inc looking ruefully at the
little velvet boots Of the lady.
Suppose you sit down"-he looked
Q for a seat. but the dewy grass
h only resting place visible. He
pitched upon the suitcases and i'm
provised q chair. Nov. sit down and
let me take them off for you"
He knelt in the road at her feet as
n cbeyed, protesting that she could |
do 1t for herself. But he oyerruled her,
and began clumsily to unbutton the
tiny buttons. holding the timid little
root firmly. almost reverently, against
his knee
He drew the velvet shoe softly of.
and. turning it upside down. shook out
the intrudfng cinders, put a clumsy
finger In to make sure they were all
gone; then shyly, tenderly. passed his
hand over the sole Of the fine, silk
stocktnged foot h q rested so lightly
on his knee. to make sure no cinders
TO 1t. The sight and touch Of
that little foot stirred him deeply. He
had never before been called upon toll
service SO intimate to any wem-