The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-02-12
CHAPTER V.


The man who called himself Wilfred Gun
life saw Salome Birmingham dart from
him and make her way homeward, and the
abrupt and decided way in which the girl
chose to terminate their interview surprised
him so much that for a few moments he
knew not what course to pursue.
His first impulse had been TO spring after
her and detain her by main force. But he
had restrained himself with low, passion
ate cry of anger, and stood still. The
wounded vanity of the lover would not per
nit him TO follow her when she desired TO
be QUIT Of him, and he echoed the lassie's
goodnight, thinking she would return
when he manifested no intention Of pursu-
ing her,
He saw her stop short distance away,
and bis heart beat with a pleasurable
throb. She had found her senses and was
coming back, he thought, and assured of
that be nonchalantly lit a cigar. When
his weed was glowing like live coal he
turned his head again to find that Salome
was almost out Of sight and speeding from
him at a swift pace.
A curse directed at bis own stupidity.
rose IN his throat, but ne checked 1t. Then
he took a step forward but paused before
another pace was taken. 1t was useless TO
follow her. What could he gain by doing
500 Her mind was made up and she would
refuse to listen to hun unless he made a
clean breast all things respecting himself,
and he was not prepared for that yet
For some minutes be fingered there
smoking fiercely, while his mind was filed
with indecision. He was very much in love
with Salome He had never dreamed when
he entered into that Irritation with the pit
brow glrl il Gale Wood that his admiration
would develop until it became the absorbing,
Intoxicating, maddeniDg passion which now
filled his soul and brain.
Simply in jest and merely for the sport,
pleasure and excitement of the thing he had
sought out Salome Birmingham after that
pleasant chance encounter in the wood. tie
had made note of the girls address while
1t was fresh in his memory, and some even
ing later had, impelled by curiosity and an
undercurrent OF feeling he never troubled
himself 60 analyze, strolled through the
village and along Sponsors lane.
Fate had been with him that sbalmy
autumn evening-or, looking at matters
from a different standpoint, against him.
Anyway, chance again threw the White
Gypsy across his path.
Salome had been to see some friend of
hers at q farm across the fields and coming
home she ran against the handsome stranger
whom she bad laughed and chatted, and
fiiFted with on that never to be forgotten
morning In the wood.
SAlome looked even more charming than
before, he thought She was dressed in a
close fitting princess robe of blue print; her
hair hung in heavy black waves down her
back, a cheap hat Of untrimmed straw was
poised on her head, and the clear creami-
ness or her complexion stood out In the
cleaning like some strange. white, warm
marble.
His greeting had been a warm one, and
hers was only a little less cordial. She, OF
course, had expressed astonishment on
meeting him 30 soon, and there, OF all places
in the world; aud be had honestly admitted
that her charming personality alone was
responsible for his presence in the lane. On
the mere chance of seeing her he bad
come to the village after finishing the BUSH
ness which had taken him to EarlsEord.
For a little while they remained together
chatting with the freedom of old friends,
and when they parted he had, after
strenuous pleadings, extracted a half
promise from Selome to meet him In the
lane the next evening.
The appointment then made was kept by
them both, and after that they met again
frequently, always outside the village as
the girl had declared, and in places where
they were not likely TO be noticed.
Salome had loved her admirer from the
very outset and the indiscreetuess of her
Conduct in meeting him did not strike her
until she mad learned to adore Wilfred Gun.
life with all the depth and feTvor of the
passion her strong, inspected soul was capa-
bic Of feeling.
lie. on his part, had scarcely ever noticed
whittier he OGs drifting. He knew that
SaloDle wa snperbly lovely; that her nature
was enc OF tie sweetest and most fascinet-
Ink be had over encountered, ard that il
was very pleasant to meet the 81 nrle lass 10
tae Qniet lanes or quieter woods aud walk
and talk with her.
At length sac had realized her folly. aud