The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1920-01-01
The TWICE
By ELEANOR M. G R

toward the girl and she toward
him, the old man deliberately
raised his arm and laid it across
the doorway as a barrier. He said
nothing at all, holding his hostile
gaze on Noel with an expression
clearer than speech.
"Abel!" the girl exclaimed.
"Oh!"
The swift remonstrance that
tumbled from her lips was in a
language not English. The guar
dian on the threshold did not stir,
or ever reply. He looked at Noel.
~ viii bring Miss AArloff home
before midnight" David said
quietly. "You may trust her with
me. Will you take my card as an
introduction?"
The other took the card without
glancing at it.
"He knows no English the
girl explained. "Oh, he is absurd
The SNAP of her small foot had
no more effect than her command
but, still looking at Noel, the old
man slowly dropped his arm and
stood aside. David had all the SEN
sations of a small boy who has
c%reditably passed a severe exami-
nation at school, when the girl
crossed that threshold and stood
beside him. AS they went down
the steps, the door closed with a
sullen shock Of sound.
81 am so sorry she began.
please do not speak of that.
You have a steadfast guardian
there
ABE was my fathers secre-
tary, and now is his NURSE she
defined the old mans position.
Long before 1 was born, my
father saved him from a dreadful
massacre of the Jewish people in
Russia. Abel has never forgotten.
he is good and learned and faith
full, but he does not understand our
America"
Noel murmured some assent.
His attention was fixed upon the
girl herself, busy tracing that
fanciful resemblance.
AS they passed a street lamp he
saw that she wore a frock of thin
black silk, daintily full and short
enough to show demure, ribbon
laced black slippers, which neither
had nor needed buckle or bow to
hid the curves of the exquisite,
firm little feet that somehow
looked so strong. Her small black
hat, tilted to one side in the
fashion of the hour for princess
and shop girl alike, exposed a
sweep of silky brown curls, bright
even in that light. Decidedly,
she was as pretty as Constance
Bruce could have been, had the
princess grown as her childhood
promised
His silence infected her. They
spoke very little during the walk
to his hotel. The people still filled
the street, which murmured with
voices and movements. Against
his will, Noel's mind filled with
sordid, jostling memories Of his
miserable boyhood-of heat like
this, and hunger; Of dreadful cold,
and hunger. The past clutched at
him while he walked there beside
the girl who seemed a mockery of
his broken dream.
he was glad when they reached
the hotel. Now he could shake off
his morbidness, and end this ad-
venture whichhe had begun to re-
pent commencing. What had pos
sessed him that morning7
He had paused to yield his hat
and coat to an attendant. When
he turned to his companion, the ex-
ASPIRATION that had been growing
up within him withered away. The
girl had moved q step aside. Her
mouth upcurled at the corners like
a merry child's; she was smiling
delightedly at q very small Chi
nese dog being led past by a negro
bell boy.
Pray let mt stroke him!O she
exclaimed with a charming eager
ness. aOh, he is dearl"
The servitor relaxed into a grin
at once genial and respectful. He
oheyed with readiness rather
surprising to Noel, bringing the
little dog to halt within reach Of
the girls hand.
He q prize winner, miss" he
volunteered. Mighty fine dog,
sure!',
The PeMingese nestled its mug
zie into the girl pain, insti nc.
lively friendly.
II had one once, she breathed.
Then she Strengthened herself with
q dismayed start Of recollection.
and turned to Noel. tOh. I beg
your pardon! / did not see that
you were waiting. Thank vnn y