The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1881-07-21
LOVES CONQUEST. !,

1AA ANA0 OOWNs Will 4uAO OA10, AV4bA0k 4u1y
down with the current Of calm, smooth
lake, on whose placid breast the moonkesms
played ut will. 49,
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.
hooking 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 Csssilis
and Colonel Hitler stroll of, arm n arm,
to where the little boat was moored.
The women had almost ceased to be jeal.
GUS Of Gwendoline, 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, ana Gwendoline
Cassilis still. However, this time she had
encountered-the little world at Lady
Southwells country seat said-a. 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
was rife, and speculation awaited results
with batel breath. Meantime the little
boat foated calmly on the quiet surface of
the lake.
Miss Cassilis!"
It was the first word either had spoken in
full Ave 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 were il danger?"
I'm 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 Luna's brilliancy reflected there
around, about her. Not leafiet stirred.
| NO" he faid, 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
a VAIN crimson rose, even while she raised
her little head almost de6antly, as though
to hurl 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"
she returned, haughtily. Il am accustomed
to plain speech.
Rather say that plain speech is to you an
unknown tongue, and that ain the first
man who has dared to speak frankly.
| Would you have me more open still?s You
shall have your wish. A week longer un-
der the same roof with you, week more of
exposure to your maddening destinations,
ard my ship would go 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 haltor Of your
love-"
She had been wooed many times, in many
clinics, and by many men, but naught had
! moonlight night in June. Yet this man
had dared to tell her that in another week
this might come to pass.
Others had sworn to 80 from her presence
to put an end to the existance she had
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, and
rendered their life burden.
This one done none of these THINGS.
! While his strength was yet his he saw and
met the danger.
! "A week hence" she said to herself. Bit
terly, and the fame might SINCE him.
Now his wings are all unscorched. He
does not say, Il love you!' He says, In
time might love you.
Not 50. ..%.
LET us 60 home,"' she: interrupted, with
little shiver. 1T is growing chilli"
"Gwendoline Cassilis, is this my answer?
Hcve you none other to give me?' ..,..,
Your answerY with an ASSUMPTION of
surprise. II was not aware of any ques.
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 have hurt you" he returned.
courteously, and took up the Idle oars.
Pardon me-" he continued, II will not
offend again. 1t is time We were return
ing" .|l-.1->
A few bold strokes, and the boats kee,
grated on the shore. Ten minutes later
and the two re appeared in their hostess
| tastefully- appointed drawing- room.
group OF men instantly gathered about
Miss Cassilis. Never had her laugh runo
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 a 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 /
ionless. :,
after tonight he will forget me" she
murmured, sadly. "AndI-I sball remem.
Der him for ever!" 49, ~@s -
Then, as though sudden truth had
burst upon he-, she drew down the bind
TO throw herself, with quick, impetuous
motion. prone upon the couch, and weep
the FIRST heart-tears she had ever shed
The drama is ended-Miss Cassilis has
refused him!" This was the general YER
dict when, twenty. four hours later, Claude |
Hitler babe bis 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. J
Not even that satisfaction is nine" she |
added to herself-''nor ever will be! Il
was only the might have BEEN"
He was not the man. she knew full we'll, |
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
why. The difference betweent them
was only this-his wound was healing, per-
haps already healed: but he would bear it's
scar to the grnve; hers was . fostering sore
which hurt the more that she had let the
physicians who might work ito cure pass
her by.
The summer waned to its close. Nature