Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1891-09-10
@Gray, how dare your Let me go this

from the arms tnaL nelu her like vice.
.'Oh. Gray, please let me go!" entreat.
ingly. 81 hear footsteps-I do. indeed.
Somebody is coming"
1T is only the rain on the rocks, pet. >
softly kissing her averted cheek sOh.
darling, love you-love you-love your'
his voice broken with passion
sob. do let me go!" whispered Anita.
in anguished entreaty. Somebody is
comingw There certainly was sound
Of approaching steps.
kiss me, then, or | will hold Won
fast, whoever it may be- he whispered
back, maniacal CLEAN in his passionate
eyes.
Anita knew him too well to doubt that
he would be as good as his word. ANY
thing to win release from such extrem-
ity. She lifted her lips and paid the
price.
Il hate you'll" she muttered, with a
lurid glance of anger, as shesprang from
his releasing arms.
Il don't believe it, he retorted. mad
triumph illumining his face; ''and some
day you will tell me yourself what lie
it is. Some day You will own that my
love is worth something to YOU. after
all Oh, my darling, how can you make
me wait any longer?' moving insistently
toward her again
Is there such a thing as chance in this
world2 At that moment the footsteps
they had heard brought a horse and
rider into view, and the horseman was
Donald Bartels.
He could not have seen anything: it
was impossible" whispered Gray conf
IDENTIFY. seeing Anita's changing face
ave were completely hidden by the
trees.
But the trees had betrayed their trust.
For one moment, as he rode down the
steep trail. Donald had caught sight.
through the bending boughs. of wom-
an closely clasped in lovers arms, had
seen the meeting lips, and had laughed
at the foolish pair that would choose
their tryst in a pouring rain. Another
moment, and he felt as if he could never
laugh again. for he had seen that this
woman was his wife
Yet it must be all right, he passionate
" told his sickened heart. They were
cousins, Anita and Gray Van Zandt, had
been brought up together, and Anita was
full Of caressing ways 1t must be all
right And yet that had not looked like
mere cousinly affection. Great heavens!
Could it be that his wife was lost to himg
And was the world going on just the
same-day after day in humdrum regu-
larity showers and sunshine, summer
and winter, everything just the same.
ami Anita loving another? And all the
time he was saying, with dull mechanical
imitation of his ordinary manner:
"Ah. Van Zandt. how do You do?
Hardly expected me so soon, did you,
Anitag" coolly shaking her hand. He
could not bring himself to meet the lips
she half offered him. the lips still warm
with the cares Of another. And had she
Just the same false face as other women,
after all2-for she was actually looking
glad to see him. Could it be all lie
that pretty flush Of pleasure, the spark
ling eyes, the tender, smiling lips?
For Anita, in the sudden JOY of seeing
him, had forgotten utterly her jealous
anger; and when she remembered it, 1t
was with rush Of tenderness that CON
doned every offense. Whatever he had
done. it seemed that she must forgive
him now in the exquisite gladness OF
looking on his bonny face again.
80 you were caught IN the shower,
he was indifferently remarking. well,
tits about over now. and think You had
better get on my horse. Anita, and we
will hurry on as fast as possible. And
50 they proceeded down the steep trail
saying little, Donald leading the horse
Anita timorously holding herself ON the
slippery Mexican saddle, while Gray
plodded along behind.
1T is reassuring to see you looking so
vel. said Donald after little, looking
back with a glance that duly considered
her glowing cheeks. 81 did not know
until last night that you had not written.
! had to run down to Denver Tuesday,
and was detained until yesterday. But
when found no letters from you began
tormsnting myself with the idea that
you must be sick; and this morning
could hardly get started early enough.
Judge that my fears were altogether mis-
placed
"Oh, yes; | have been perfectly wei,
a shade Of confusion on her face. Il did
not write because-oh, well. there were
several reasons. :,
Il presume you understood that !
would be anxious if You did not. NE
lessly as a schoolboy repeating a lesson.
Il am afraid that view Of the case dld
not impress me very clearly. with a ut
tie uncomfortable laugh.
She had not dreamed that merely 70
have him beside her could stir sucn
tumult of gladness in her heart again.
She knew. and was strangely glad IN tne
knowing. that with one caressing toucn
be could put to rout utterly the demon
Of anger that had swayed her; knew tna'
with the glance Of his blue eyes upon ner'
tenderly compelling. she could deny nm
nothing. But they must have fuH eA-
Plantation. Donald must know what ne
Il.