The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1920-01-15
should you think that you would


who was yours-could she have
married some one else? You did,
all this for her: Then, if she was
not somehow aware of your toll
ing, of your thoughts pouring out
to her like a strong river; il she
did not have dreams by night that
shut Ter away from other men.by
day, if She did not feel you in the
worid-then you have made a mis-
take. You do not love a woman,
but an ideal!'
"That is prettily romantic, but
it is hardly common sense" Noel
replied, startled and not pleased
by the attack.
and is what you have felt for
her common sensible 2"
Noel did not smile at the some
what remarkable word. That the
substitute girl should criticize the
princess angered him beyond rea-
son. Because he meant to raise
the dancing girl to that high place
beside him, he gave her no right to
this arrogant Judgment Of the lost
Constance. The restraint he forced
upon his voice made his answer
colder than he himself realized.
Probably not, in your eyes.
Nevertheless, woman or idea, |
have made my life a journey to-
ward that image. Failing to reach
that-and l am not used to fail
ure-I will not leave the place
blank. When I saw you
He stopped, dismayed by his
premature frankness. In his irri-
tation and soreness he had spoken
as he had never intended. Rosa
lind Arloff seized the core of his
meaning and tore it out in a ques-
ton as cold and deliberate as his
speech.
"Are you telling me that you
are offering her place to me be-
cause we look alike?"
Deceived by her quietness, and
relieved that the point was passed,
Noel answered quite eagerly and
contritely:
"You would be the only wife l
could welcome in my house. There
is nothing in the world that [
would not give you. Your father
and his man should come with us.
You shall have time to learn more
Of me. To me you seem no strang-
er. II you will marry me, then, |
will make you happy. You are
already beautiful and good!'
She snatched her hand from that
of the sleeping man and rose with
a swift, smooth suddenness like
the upleap of flame. Noel rose
with her, and stood facing her.
They were breathing quickly,
quiyering with a strange and pas
sionate defiance Of each other.
Il am glad you told me this!''
the girl gasped, clenching her
hands. Il am glad to- know why
you helped me, and why you are
here, and what you were thinking
when | believed you just kind.
You do not love that woman you
never saw; you do not love me.
You love your own success, your
obstinacy that will learn nothing
new. Marry you? No, no, and
no: / would not marry you if all
the world cried out to me. Never
nc@ if I loved you and you loved
me-! Never-do you hear? Now
go! Go with no wife-not even a
substitute. Go away!"
miss Arloff!"
"Good by, my NoelI"
"You misunderstand-"
Good by, Mr.. Noel"
eff | must apologize"
"Only for staying"
But if she was in a royal rage,
he was less furious. Now that
he had lost her, his natural obsti-
macy, of which she had truly spok-
en-, planted it's color in the face of
defeat.
You accuse me wrongly" he
said, unconsciously overbearing
and imperative. II helped you,
not for another, but for yourself. /
brought those flowers, tonight, for
you-the girl who danced with me.
You are childish !"
She dropped the box Of sweet
peas on the foor and stamped her
firm little foot upon it, her eyes
and lips and cheeks fre-hot.
II have hidden you good by,
Mr.. Noel. Is it necessary for me
to call Abel?"
Beaten back, if not beaten, Noel
stared at her through the twilight,
then sullenly swung on his heel.
Even then he vaguely noted the
Greek beauty Of her pose as she
stood with one slender, rigid arm
pointing him to the door, and hee
small, curly head flung high.
Because he was furiously angry,
II - - 10 ~ -