The Kadoka press and Kadoka reporter. [volume] (Kadoka, S.D.) 1910-1923, 1917-10-05

moved. Jennings drained his glass, |
placed the decanter by his masters |
side, and withdrew.
80 the polsons still there, broth |
err" Stephen asked.
"And will be so long as live John
confessed gloomily. For all that, I'll
not drink your toast"
"Why mott"
"There was a little girl-you saw
her when you were in London. She is
married now, but l think of her some
times; and when ! do. you and old
Jennings seem to me like a couple of
blithering idiots cursing things too
wonderful for you to understand"
Stephen made no protest. For q
time he smoked in silence. Curiously
enough, as they sat together, some of
the grim fierceness seemed to have
passed ION his expression and settled
upon John. More than once, rs he
looked across at his younger brother
it almost seemed as if there was some
thing of self-reproach in his question
ing look.
"You dined at the ordinary in Mar
ket Ketton?" stephen asked at last.
81 did"
"Then you heard the news?'
"Who could help it?" John muttered.
There wasn't much else talked
about"
"Bailiff Henderson has been over
here" Stephen went on. There's Il
small army of painters and decorators
coming down to the castle next week.
! You saw the announcement of the
wedding in the morning Post, maybeT
John assented without words. Ste
phen smoked vigorously for few mo-
ments. Every now and then he
glanced across to where John was sit
ting. Once again the uneasiness was
in his eyes an uneasiness which was
almost self-reprOach.
John moved little restlessly in his
chair.
Lets drop 1t, Stephen" he begged.
"We both know the facts. She is CO.
ing to marry him, and that's the end
of it. Fill your glass up again. Here's
mine untouched. I'll drink your toast
with you, IL you'll leave out the little
girl who was kind to me. I'll give it
to you myself-confusiOn to all wom-
EN-"
Confusion to" Stephen began.
what on earth is that?"
They both heard 1t at the same time
the faint beating Of motor engine
in the distance. John set down his
glass. There was q strange look in
: his eyes.
There are more cars passing along
the road now than in the old days,
. he muttered; "but that's quee,
sound. 1t reminds one-goOd heavens
, how it reminds one!"
. There was look OF agony in his
face for a moment. Then once more
he raised his glass to his lips.
"It's passed out of hearing" Stepher
said. "It's someone on the way to thu
. castle, maybe
Still their glasses remained suspend
: ed in midair. The little garden gait
e had opened and closed with click
:. there were footsteps upon the flint,
4 walk.
'Tt's someone coming herew Johl
I cried hoarsely. "Why can't they keel
!. away? It's two years ago this weel
u since I brought her up the drive AM
/ YOU met us at the front door. Tw
years ago, Stephen! Who can it be?
They heard the front door oper
unusual and indignant protest. The
their own door was suddenly fun
wide and a miracle happened. John
glass slipped from his fingers, and tn
wine streamed out across the carpe
He shrank back, gripping at the table
cloth. Stephen turned his head, an
u sat as If turned to stone.
- "John," she faltered, lit isn't the ca
:. this time--it is I who have broke
down! I cannot 60 on. l have q
- pride left. I have come to you. WI
=. you help me?"
- !, He found himself upon his feet. st
: phen, too, had arisen. She stood b
:. tween the two men, and glanced fro
:, one to the other. Then she locke
more closely into JonnS Iace, peerli
forward with little start Of pain, al
NJ her eyes were filed with tears.
"John," she cried, "forgive me! "
y. were so cruel that morning, and "
q" seemed to understand so little. Dor
you really understand, even nov
Have you ever known the truth, wo
on derw
"The TRUTH" he echoed hoarsel
NE "Don't we all know that? Don't we
know that he is to give you your righ
- that you are coming"
"Stop." she ordered him.
,ld He obeyed, and for a moment the
was silence-a tense. strained silen'
de- "John," she continued at last.
lily have no rights to receive from
prince of Seyre. He owes me nothii
aid Listen Always we have seen life d
ferently, you and l.. To me there
mt only one great thing, and that is loN
her and beyond that nothing counts.
We tried to love the prince before y