Beverly banner. [volume] (Beverly, N.J.) 1877-1964, 1890-02-01

6rClS0u ueF IaSClIdllOIlS men DOWCu NC
fore her-frst from necessity, then
from choice.
But, though her victims were count
less, she was "a and Dorothy Viner
still. However, this time she had en-
countered Cher little sister said) foe
man worthy of her steel What she
was among men, Jerome Fleetwood
was among women Therefore, see
ing these two brought under the same
roof, and thrown into daily inter
course, rumor was rife, and specula-
ton awaited results with bated breath.
Meanwhile the little boat hoated calm
ly on the surface of the lake.
miss Vinerl-Dorothy
1t was the first word that either had
uttered in full ten minutes. She look
ed quickly up at the speaker. The
white knit scarf 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 earnest gaze of the
dark, magnetic eyes bent upon her,
hers fell for an instant Then, as
though ashamed of the momentary
weakness, again shot a questioning
look into Lieut. Fleetwell's face.
Miss Viner," he repeated, calmly,
ibid you know we were in danger2"
In danger2"
The dreamy look faded from her
face, the color deserted her cheeks
and, shivering heavily, she glanced
up at the blue vault where sailed Sc
majestically the Goddess of Night
down into the dark depth of the waters,
only to see the silvery moons brill
fancy reflected there, around, about
her. ALI was peaceful.
mo, " he said, in answer to her look,
mot from any Of these. Tho moon,
the wind, the waterfall are our
friends tonight. We are in danger
from each other"
Oh, how she prayed the moon might
fail to make apparent the instant rush
ing of blood to her cheek She felt
it glow like a warm crimson rose,
even while she raised her little head
almost defiantly as though to hurl a
challenge at his audacity. Men had
made love to her in many forms, but
always as suppliants. This man dared
to suppose her in equal danger with
himself
"You deal in riddles, Lieut.. Fleet
well, " she returned, coldly. II am
accustomed to plain speech"
'Rather say that plain speech is to
you all unknown tongue, and that l
am the first man who has dared to
speak frankly. Would you have me
speak palmer still2 You shall have
your wish. A week longer under the
same roof with you, week more of
exposure to your destinations and nay
ship would go to wreck and ruin on
the bar; unless"-he leaned nearer,
of tender feeling, and his hand fell
on hers very lightly, but with caress-
ing unless, Dorothy, you
would let it float your pennon and
guide it into the safe harbor of your
love"
She had been wooed many times,
and in many climes, by many men,
but nothing had ever moved her as
this wooing, on this moonlight night
in October. Yet this soldier-this man
dared to tell her that in another week
this all might come to pass
Others had sworn to go from her
presence to put an end to the existence
she had rendered miserable, or had
vowed that henceforth woman's smile
would be gall and NORWOOD, or
pleaded that she had shorn their man
hood of its strength and rendered
their life a burden.
This one did none of these things.
While his strength yet was his he saw
and met the danger.
"a. week hence, she said to herself
bitterly, and the flame might SINCE
him. Now his wings are all unscorch-
ed He does not say: l love your
In time might love your Was he
then to win so easy victory2 NeverW
LET us go home" she interrupted
in constrained voice 1T is grow
ing chilly"
Dorothy, is this my answer9"
"Your answer" with an assump-
ton of surprise. II was not aware of
any question. "
"You shall not have even this ex-
cuse Will you be my wife9"
His voice was hoarse and stern, and
his grasp frightened on her hand
you hurt me, Lieut. Fleetwell,"
she complained petulantly, making
an effort to withdraw her fingers.
Instantly he released her
II see that l hurt you," he returned
courteously, and took up the oars.
not do it ever again"
A few bold strokes and the boats
keel grated on the shore. Ten min
utes later and the two reappeared
at Mrs. Hurlton's beautifully appoint
ed salon. On the parterre beyond
shone the red light from a mans CT
gar. 1t was still there, still cleaning
when she had gone up to her own
room. She crossed to the window to
pull down the shade, but stood min
ute, fascinated, motionless.
"Aftar tonight he will forget me,
she murmured, sadly. ''And IL
shall remember him-foreverl
Then, as though sudden truth
had burst upon her, she threw down
the shade, to throw herself, with
quick, impetuous motion, prone upon
her couch, and weep the first heart
tears she had ever shed.
ut is all over-Miss Viner has re-
fused him." This was the general yer
dict, when, twentyfour hours later,
Jerome FleetweH bid his friends adieu,
and withdrew to town on plea Of sud
den business.
The news soon reached Dorothy.
81 have not refused him" she said
aloud; mot even that satisfaction is
mine, she said to herself-''nor ever
will bel 1t was only the might have
BEEN
He was not a man, she knew full
well, to plunge desperately into fir
tation, or associate his name at once
with another woman's, or to retire la
ter or rise earlier or in any way dis
turb the even tenor of his way. The
difference between them was only
this-his heart was healing, perhaps
already healed, but he would bear its
scar to the grave; hers was fostering
sore, which hurt the more she had let
the physician who might work its cure
pass her by.
The summer wanes to close. Au