Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1881-07-21
LOVES CONQUEST.

uoWu Will tue current Oh Cdlul, SIOOtn
lake, on whose placid breast the moonbeams
played at will
Such the picture, had one been mere
spectators to the mimic scene; but to the
two actors, surroundings were lost sight of
they thought only of themselves.
Mocking the moon rays, when they
glanced upward, they could see on the
bank above them the twinkling lights of
Riverdene, and hear the merry voices and
gay laughter of the group from which they
had escaped.
Arch smiles had passed between its men,
bers as they had seen Gwendoline Cassilis
and Colonel Hitler stroll off, arm in arm,
to where the little boat was moored.
The women had almost ceased to be jeal-
| GUS of Gwendollns, or to ask where lay
her charms. She exercised her fascination
even among them as among men, and they
bowed before her-frst from necessity,
then from choice.
But though her victims were countless,
she was twenty three, and Gwendoline
Cassilis still. However, this time she had
encountered-the little world at Lady
Southwells country seat saba foeman
worthy of her steel.
What she was among men, Claude Hitler
was among women. Therefore, seeing
those two brought beneath the same roof,
and thrown into daily intercourse, rumor
with bated breath. Meantime the little
boat floated calmly on the quiet surface of
the lake.
Miss Cassilis'
1t was the first word either had spoken in
full FIVE minutes.
She glanced up at the speaker. The white
lace thrown carelessly upon her dark hair,
out from which peered the beautiful, pale
face, lent her some of the moons mystic
charm; but meeting the magnetic gaze of
the dark earnest eyes bent upon her, bers
fell for an instant; then, as though ashamed
of the momentary weakness, and again
shot questioning look into the handsome
face of the beau sabreur who sat opposite
her,
Miss Cassilis, he repeated, slowly, did
you know that We we're III danger?"
In danger?'
Her cheek grew shade paler. She
glanced up at the blue vault where sailed so
majestically the Goddess of Night-down
into the dark depths of the waters, only to
see Lunas brilliancy reflected there
around, about her. Not leafet stirred
NO." he said, in answer to her look, mot
from any of these. The moon, the wind.
the water, all are our friends to- night. We
are in danger from each other"
Oh, how she prayed the moon might fail
to make apparent the instant flushing of hot
blood to her cheek! She felt it glow, like
warm crimson rose, even while she raised
her little head almost defantly, as though
to hurl o challenge at his audacity.
Men had made love to her in many forms,
but always as suppliants This man dared
suppose her in equal danger with himself!
'You deal il enigmas, Colonel Hitler, u
she returned, haughtily. Il am accustomed
to plain speech.
Rather say that plain speech is to you an
unknown tongue, and that 1 ain the first
man who has dared to speak frankly
Would you have me more open still? You
shall have your wish. A week longer I'M
der the same roof with you, a week more of
exposure to your maddening destinations,
ard my ship would 60 to wreck and ruin
on the bar; unless"-he leaned nea1er, his
voice grew softer, more full of tender feel
ing, and his hand fell on hers very lightly,
but with caressing grace-"unless, Gwen
doline, you would let it float your pennon
and guide it into the safe halbor of you,
love-"
chimes, and by many men, but naught hao
ever moved her as this wooing, on this
moonlight night in June. Yet this mar
had dared to tell her that in another week
this might come to pass.
Others had sworn to go from her presence
to put an end to the existance she haG
rendered miserable; or Lad vowed that
henceforth woman's smile would be call
and wermwood; or pleaded that she had
shorn their manhood of its strength, an6
rendered their life burden.
This one done none of these things
While his strength was yet his he saw an6
met the danger.
"a week hence" she said to herself, Bit
terly, and the flame might SINCE him.
Now his wings are all unscorched. He
does not say, I love your He says, In
time might love you
Was he thus to win SO easy victory
Not SO.
Let us go home" she interrupted, with
little SILVER. 1t is growing chill"
"Gwendoline Cassilis, is this nv answer;
Have you none other to give me?''
''Your answer" with an assumption Of
surprise. II was not aware of any cues.
ton"
'You shall not even have this excuse
Will you be my wife?"
His voice was stern now--stern to harsh.
ness-and his grasp frightened on Ler hand
'You hurt me, Colonel Hitler" she com.
planned petulantly, making an effort to with.
draw her fingers.
Instantly he released her,
Il see that I have hurt you," he returned
courteously, and took up the idle oars,
Pardon me-" he continued, Il will moi
offend again. 1t is time We were return
ing"
A few bold strokes, and the boats keel
grated on the shore. Ten minutes later,
and the two re. appeared in their hostess
tastefully appointed drawing room.
A group of men instantly gathered about
Miss Cassilis. Never had her laugh rung
out more clearly, her gay sallies of wit and
repartee been more sparkling; but ever,
from time to time, her eye roved restlessly
to the open window, where, on the lawn
beyond, beneath the tall cedars, shone the
red light from mans cigar.
1t was still there, still cleaning, when
she had gone up to her own room. She
crossed to the window to pull down the
blind, but stood minute, fascinated. mo-
tionless.
After o-night he will forget me, - she
murmured, sadly. "AndI-I shall remem-
Der him for ever!"
Then, as though sudden truth had
burst upon her, she drew down the blind
TO throw herself, with quick, impetuous
motion, prone upon the couch, and weep
the first heart-tears she had ever she d.
The drama is ended-Miss Cassilis has
refused him!" This was the general YER
dict when, twenty -four hours later, Claude
Hitler babe his hostess adieu, and with
drew to town on plea of sudden business.
VI course the news reached Gwendoline's
eur.
i have not refused him, she said aloud.
Not even that satisfaction is mine," she
added to herself-''nor ever will be! It
was only the might have BEEN
He was not the man. she knew full well,
TO plunge desperately into Irritation, or as
sociate his name at once with another
woman's or to retire later or rise earlier, or
in any way disturb the even tenor of his
way. The difference between them
was only this-his wound was healing, per-
haps already healed. but he would bear its
scar to the grave; hers was fostering sore
which hurt the more that she had let the
physicians who might work its cure pass
her by.
The summer waned to it's close. Nature
I@l