The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1880-09-23

you can about the flowers, he said,
smiling, and indicating by slight mo-
ton Of the hand that the flowers [ wore
called forth the remark.
No, I fear not replied. Ids
not take kindly to technicaites. I only
understand their beauty, which is, per-
haps, more than most botanists do.
ST was seated, he standing; hebentt to-
ward me as he said. Perhaps, and yet,
botanist though I am, there is one kind
of beauty LIDO not fail to admire.
Icould not misund erstand the implied
compliment, and blushed a little under
his steady gaze.
Milly came up the next instant, and
the conversation drifted away to indif-
ferent topics. I could see that Ken
neth's attentions to me were source of
displeasure to Milly. I had sort of
pleasure in seeming to be unaware of
her annoyance.
Chow uninterruptedly events will go
on, as If change would never come
then all at once, one scarcely knows how,
everything is changed, and is never
quite the same again
had been i've months at Deering
place, and Kenneth was at my side as
often as he could be without attracting
attention or comment. I spent much
Of my time in the library. Mrs. Deer
ing was always busy about her work in
the kitchen. Milly spent her forenoons
in the parlor, and in the afternoons she
usually slept an hour or SO, then drove
out to make calls and talk over the fash
ions with the aristocratic young ladies
of the neighborhood. On these occa-
sions Kenneth would be sure to find
some excuse for coming in from the
field before evening. His manner had
long been that of lover.
Gone day, as was seated at desk in
the library writing, he came in quietly,
but, seeing I was busy, he pretended to
have some errand in the room. He soon
came to my side, however, and put his
cool, tender palm against my cheek.
Some slight, caressing movement on my
part perhaps a pressing of my cheek
against his hand caused him to bend
down and say, with deep earnestness
"'You do love me.
I flashed smile up into his face and
asked: "- .-
"Why 2 .t .-.-
"'Because I love you,' he answered.
ts'To his protestations of love I had al
ways returned an Indifferent reply, but
that day a spirit Of coquetry possessed
me. Ny blushing inquiry had seemed
like confession, and Kenneth was radi-
ant. I would not seem to share his
mood, neither did I have the heart to
check his Joy. kept on with my writ
ing, but I had no thought except of this
man, who was all the world to me. He
sat by my side and held my hand. I
could not deny him nor myself that
pleasure. I wrote steadily. with down.
cast eyes. I was in a delicious, dreamy
trance. Ny interest in my writing was
gone. laid aside my pen, and, passing
my hand lightly over his thick masses Of
hair, I said: s&.-
"You should be at work, Kenneth,
instead of hindering me.
"He caught my hand and, drawing me
toward him, said: r ..a... #
"' Kiss me, Mirabel !; just once, dear
you never have.
'Ishook my head. He arose, bringing
me to my feet at the same time : his
strong arms were about me, his passion
ate kisses on my lips. had no further
control Of myself, and to his whispered
entreaty, Kiss me, darling, just once,'
my arm crept half way around his neck
and my lips met his. No use of denying
my love for him after that. For one
hour complete, unthinking happiness
was ours. We did not trouble ourselves
by thoughts of the future. We had the
present and each other. We did not
talk much. With provoking pretense
of industry, I said, Let me 60 on with
my writing
"He put his arm about tine and heldme.
I can't spare you,' he said. you do
not love me as I do you or you could not
think Of work. Oh, Mirabe], I cannot
live without YOU
"tPerhaps,' ]. said, with a side smile
up into bis face, "you could not live
with me- .s
t'Myra'-he always called me Myra
when very grave-sdo not talk so. Do
you doubt my love?'
No, Kenneth, I would as soon think
of doubling my own.'
The time had come for me to 60 to
my room. I said to him. I must CO.
"He arose and stood looking down sor-
rowfully at my uplifted face. put my
palm against his cheek.
Why are you so grave?'
because you leave me, he replied.
"sI can't stay right here always
"'No, that is so; but would to God
we might love each other always and nc
one come between n.s
"'And why can't I'VE ? I'm sure shall
love you always, Kenneth
HE bent down and kissed me CRATE
fully. Dear Myra, I am not worthy
of your affection. I am Mil]y Bent]y's
betrothed husband
IT started back ashamed and angry.
He fastened to entreat, Forgive me,
Myra I could not help loving you. I
have been in paradise now I can suffer
hell
ct shrank further from him. ooh,
Kenneth, why did you not tell me this ?
"'I could not, Myra. I wanted you to
love me, and you would not had ycu
known
IT could only say, How could you
do SO wrong?'
"He replied, I do not feel thatit was
wrong, Myra. Ibid not know how much
it was possible to love woman until
you came
ct had heen seated nnon the sofa over