The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-02-19


lomeP
no. You can speak. But I warn you
that l am careless about your eZcuses-l
don't want TO hear them; and / have no in
tention of being deceived by you or any
other man again. And MIR. Meredith, l
think IL now-if you do not mind, should
prefer you to cease using my Christian
name"
Her tones we're measured and icilY calm
now, and they sent a chill straight TO his
heart. For a moment or two a sharp fear
bit hercely at his vitals as be thought that
the peerless girl before him was slipping
from his grasp. Her quiet. cutting words
startled MIN into a confused silence, and
just then the Csrsland carriage swept past.
he noticed the vehicle and caught a
glimpse of the ladies inside. He realized
that 1t was quite probable be and Salome
had been seen and recognized by Lady Cars
land and Cordeiia, but in his present mood
he was careless-reckless even of what they
might think or say about him and Salome
You have right to speak to me in that
way" he said humbly as the carriage dis
appeared in the blackness of the night. 81
am TO blame, know, and | am sincerely
sorry. But for Gods sake do not think
that had any evil intent in my mind when
gave you that false name. | never imN
agined we should meet again when, in a
spirit of mischief and fun, l told you that
udl tuht name was w 1lT60 Su0uuol
Surely you believe meW
But was it only the spirit Of mischief
and fun which induced you to carry On the
deception for weeks after wardw she asked,
bitterly.
"Y on don't know-you cannot understand
how easy il was for me to drift into the
position In which / find myself now. in
tended night after night to tell you, but was
fearful lest you would never look at me
hnDaaklU fpfa lad RI oil Tyf, ha
truth when met you"
Have you told me the truth nowp
las true as am here / have"
But not all the truth"
81 don't follow you now"
'What OF Miss Cordoba Carslandl Was
it fair 60 her, honest to me, and honorable
in yourself to meet me when you were en-
gagged to herr"
II am not engaged to her." he burst out
"who said / wasp
81 heard-but it is no business OF mine,
Mr.. Meredith"
at was a lie, no matter who told your
he reasseverated with new emphasis. II
never cared for her, Sslome as l care for
you. God knows that l love you. didn t
want to love you, but COULDN'T help it. l
fought against it because you were pit
girl will be honest and open now at all
events-and thought only of what my
world would say. IL you only knew how
difficult my position has been all along and
Is still you would not be so bttterw
/ am not bitter" she answered with a
little sob which his quick ears caught. az
am only trying to look the facts plainly in
the face. | think | understand. Your world
and mine are very far apart"
Not so far sundered, dear Salome, but
that love can bring them together. You do
believe that love you"
She was silent.
And you love meF'
Love you! l wish In my hesrt that
did not, for no good can come to poor girl
who loves one 80 high above her as you are
above me-"
''Only Socially-0therwise am not at to
wipe your feet, Salome. If had more
backbone in me should simply carry you
off at once and laugh at the world and all it
cared to say. VIM you go away with meq"
mo, / am too sensible a woman, thank
God, to go away, as you put it, with any
man."
II meant no wrong Salome. love you
enough to cast away all other considerations
and marry you"
THAT is why l refuse The bitterness Of
your proposal lies in the fact that you would
have to cast away all other considerations
10 marrying me. l will not let you do It.
You would be mad to marry me consider
ing your position and mine and would find
You do not know iT, Salems," he inter-
rupted her hotly.
Feeling it, tbgp,,I should 6e mad to let
you sacrifice uE both"
Because l have deceived you once YOU
will never trust me again!n he cried, de-
spairingly, her resistance to his wishes
tanning his passion TO a white heat az
love you. Salome-shall always love you, l
know. II you will not marry me-now, will
you accept me as q lover7 Shall we con-
slider ourselves engaged In two years Sir
Sydney Carlsland's guardianship will cease.
and shall be my own master then. You
will consent to be my wife then9 You
must, Salomel
His offer seemed. to have astounded her.
There was no mis:aEing his earnestness now,
and she was silent, scarce knowing what
| reply to make.
Have you nothisR to say9 You will not
marry me now-and 1t seems you would not
wait until am my own master"
~ will wait, she auawered, lowly, "it
you wish me-"
II do with all my soul, my darlingm
He flung his arms about her and kissed
her dear, rare face rapturously. 4 minute
later. as she freed herself from his warm
embrace, she cried hastily:
II must 60 now. What time is 1t? 1t
| must be very late. What will Mra Hill
think Of mea'
He walked ct her side and they went
hand in hand along Sponsors lane. Before
| they said good night he whispered:
You will meet me tomorrow evening
| say at 1880 o'clock beside the stile l have
much to tell you-Chere is ever 30 much to
be arranged between u.s.
''Yes, Paul, Will meet you,n she an
swered happy again now that her conf
! dence in her lover was restored.
~ will tell you then all l mean to do.
Till then say nothing to any of your
| friends"
She asssnted to this. and with q hot
clinging kiss they parted
TO BE CONTINUED
CARRIE CARELESS