Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1881-12-22
DARE.


But little moment he had waited,
but to Wilfred Hale it flashed suddenly
the first moment Of an eternity that
might separate him from her.
A little moment, but he had planned
it differently; even then he had dream
ed to pillow the fair head on his bosom
to be as rich in lovers rights as though
time had grown . year.
A little moment, and a-blankl
"Well, Dare?'
The words burst almost wild cry,
from his lips, as if perforce she raised
her eyes to his.
"You do not give me much time"
she said; but if it were a week / do
not know that | could answer better |
scarcely know what to say. l."
But she did not tinish his trembling
hands had clutched hers tightly--his
face, strained, haggard, was bent close
to her own.
Dare-Dare, what strange words
are these you speak Time-time, and
you do not know what to say? What
were you about to say when / stopped
you? SureIy-surely that you love me,
that never as woman loved man you
love me, Dare"
AS he spoke his face grew winter;
even more tightly he clutched her little
hands Wilfred Hale was no mean man
ordinarily; in this intense moment he
must have moved the most Indifferent
woman to pity or to fear.
But this woman neither pitied nor
feared him. she liked him quite too
well.
Yes, she liked him; it seemed to her
until this moment never quite so well.
The grandeur of his passion thrilled
her. that she had reused it suddenly
grew sweet beyond compare; she stood,
spellbound, all-forgetful that Wilfred
h Hale was waiting for her to speak.
n A tender light was creeping into the
violet eyes. but he did not note; doubt
blinded him to all save the torturing
picture of woman's face fixed on his
mute. pitiless- for all his passionate
appeal.
A little cry but souls agony spoke
therein. A little cry, but it reached
her heart strings and tinged her face
with the first bit of passion she had
ever known for him.
A bit, but rare bit for any lover;
unveiled by woman's pride shining free
triumphant in the eyes turned to will
fred Hale. He noted bewilderedly
then, unconsciously he dropped the lit
tie hands and stood regarding her
speeches., dreading it should fade
away
n IT she realized, for once Dare Winter
II cared not; still straightly, openly, the
rare violet eyes met his as though 1t
were a common thing; she raised a
hand and laid it familiarly on his arm.
"You are pretty lover. Mr.. Wilfred
Hale" so she began, archly, but with a
tremor that deepened as she spoke.
You were long enough asking mo to
marry you, and now, because | DO not
drop into your arms the first little min
ute, because l thought you deserved
Furnishing bit before +"
She would have finished calmly-it
| did not occur to Dare Winter, that mo-
ment, that she was telling him lie
But again he interrupted; not as before
ali! truly what was before? The fair
head was on his breast now, the tortur-
ing blank was though itne'er had been.
"Before you told me that you loved
me, Dare"
A strain of melody his satisfied soul
set to the words. Not strange, per-
hans: she only remembered that she
loved him now, with love every touch
of his strong hand deepened, with a
passion rising mightier, tenderer, with
each kiss that met her lips.
81 was foolish lover" he murmur-
ed, after q little. Il thought you
meant the ugly words. my Dare. All,
dearest, you did know what to say!
For what were you about to say when
l stopped you? Surely. surely that
you loved me-that never as woman
loved man you loved me, Dare?'
Eyes, but did not say it, she an
III swered quickly, passionately; you
~ know my heart as yet only as you read
my face. / want to say it, Wilfred-I
love you! / love YOU with ali my heart
Pnd soul, as never women loved man
(efore!"
Surely Wilfred Hale was fortunate
yer thus to read woman's socl.
ut, though it enraptured him, II
aftled nm, he had never thought
Mre so intense; somehow a fear pos
sessed MN that he might never see her
90 again: As suddenly came the i'm
& pulse which, even in the moment OF
Y its awakening, found vent upon his
lips.
M "Will you swear it, DareP" he said
&# eagerly, while with even more passion.
81 ate intensity be folded his arms abou,
N her and looked deep down into he,
tender eyes.
But no sooner had he spoken thar
y Wilfred Hale was ashamed. Surely
she had done enough; she had showr
him her heart as few women would
have done. She would be angry with
him now-justly angry; she would
believe that he distrusted, her per.
haps-
His lips parted for retrieval. but
Il will swear il; yes, Wilfred, / will