The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1884-05-31

her neck; like milk, it was, and tiny,
vanishing dark rings of hair crept down
and encrouched upon its whiteness.
thought f the ringlets that curled
down the exquisite neck of Nourma.
hal. Talk of Venus nape! you should
have seen that one. And IL utterly
lost my head, and bending forward
kissed it. Tableau She sprang up
and faced round-furious ?"
'You kissed my neck" she cried,
gasping with rage.
felt uncommonly sneaky. I am
sure looked so, but for my life I didn't
know what to say. Icouldn't say was
sorry, and I couldn't say I wouldn't do
it again in my dreadful embarrassment
made fearful ass of myself, trying
to be clumsily playful.
"Was that yours a2sk!" said in
weakly simulated surprise.
"Of course it was mine," scornfu1ly.
Aren't you ashamed of yourself.
II am ashamed" I said humbly,
lawfully. I was an abominable brute
please try to forgive me. I won't do it
again-that is, l suppose you won't let
me. And, after all, it wasn't entirely
my fault. II you carry your neck out
into the woods this way you run an
awful danger of having it kissed, you
know" blundered on, making matters
worse at every word.
She turned haughtily away, saying, So
you are not even gentlemanly enough
to apologize"
I sprang over the log and stood be-
side, and expostulated meekly. "You
know feel mean about this, and I am
dreadful J humiliated at having lost my
self-control, but your neck was ravish-
ingly beautiful, and it's not very mag
unanimous to trample fellow when he
is down."
She was evidently generous natured
girl, for this view of the matter appealed
to her. cit was very horrid thing to
do" she said, severely.
"If you just could see the back of
your neck" I answered; "you would
see that there is some excuse to be
made for me; but still I am willing to
do anything that might atone for my
weakness and wickedness"
Then you can go away. That is the
only thing you can do" she replied
gravely.
This was an awful blow. I hadn't
expected it, but did not dare disobey,
and almost weeping turned to go.
took few reluctant steps, but seized
with a bright idea, turned again: Don't
you think,'I said eagerly, that you
had better let me see you out of these
woods? It isn't safe your being here
alone"
This speech she seemed to find un-
commonly funny, for she said with a
little derisive laugh:
$50 I have discovered; but don't
see how I will be benefited by your
society"
was really hurt, and said bitterly
and despairingly. 81 do not blame you
for thinking me scoundrel; I have
quite forfeited the right of man to
protect woman. There is no place
for repentance for me, though l sought
it carefully and with tears"
Her face softened. Il do not wish
to be unkind," she said, gently; 81 do
believe you are sorry; and to prove I
have forgiven you, will give you my
hand in adieu. There is no danger in
leaving me, am in my own woods"
Then she held out her little hand; I
pulled off my Glengarry and took it
reverentially, yet oil my audacious weak
ness returned when I felt its soft
warmth in mine.
"Mav I?" whispered pleadingly.
Her eyelids drooped and her fair face
flushed, SO I fervently kissed the
slender, blue-veined wrist, and gently,
reluctantly releasing her hand, turned
resolutely away and did not even pause
to look back.
When reached the inn Maud was so
much better that she insisted upon
pursuing ur journey in the evening
In London we found Uncle Chol-
mondley desperately ill, and then came
all the duties attendant upon his death
and funeral, and the stress of business
following upon the inheritance of an
estate. This was not over when Maud s
nervous attacks eliminated in severe
illness, and the physicians ordered me
to TAX her to the south of France,
where we staid nearly q year. But as
soon as We returned, though weighted
with many difficulties, made every
effort to find INA belle dame"
But alas! have a wretched memory
for names, and rack my brains as will,
l can call up no recollection of the
name of that little way station. For
| days have I studied Bradshaw, hoping
to recognize the name if I saw it. Times
without number have~I travelled back
and forth between London and the
towers, closely scanning every station /
passed, sure I should know that one if
/ saw it; but all in vain.
| Maud, when appealed to, says she
has no recollection of any such episode !;
| is sure she never had nervous attack
ON the train; but her memory is much
worse even than mine.
I could not have dreamed; that is alb.
surd; one does not dream such things
as the touch of her hand, the sunlight
| and the curls upon her neck.
I have at times thought it might be
one of those strange experiences oi
which there is never any reasonable
material explanation; but then never
was fellow given to indulging in
psychological phenomena.
However it may be, this know, that
Cholmondley towers will not have q
mistress until I find my beautiful young
love in the daffodil gown.
Watering Cattle.
| Exchange