The state herald. (Holyoke, Logan County, Colo.) 1887-1921, 1893-12-29

n little boat, which came dancing
lightly over tho pillows" A man was
rowing with slow, easy strokes; man
with q bronzed, handsome face, deep
gray eyes, and close'cropped dark
hair
A swift, sudden light leaped into
her groud eyes. None OF her legion of
admirers down ut the hotel had ever
caught q glimpse Of that light in
Therese Vancourt's splendid eyes.
She had laid aside societys mask, and
out here, alone with nature, she dared
be true Ia herself.
Swiftly the little boat came over
the waves; the man within lifted his
head Mt last and saw her. A dark
crimson flushed his tanned cheeks for
an instant; then he bit his lips Us
though angry or impatient, and turned
away.
At that moment his eyes fell upon
the fastdarkening slsy-thc approach
ing storm signals Turning his boat
about, he made straight for the cliff,
for n certain point at which landing
could be made. Three minutes later
he was at her side.
Miss vancourt," his voice was low
and full of music "thero Is storm
coming; did you not observe itp AL
low mo to escort you safely back to
your hotel. My boat Is below; the
landing accessible, may I conduct you
to itf Storms upon this point arc
dangerous; you will be swept out to
sea-"
She shlvered and turned pale.
Even So" she returned, In n falter-
ing voice, ut would be better than to
live and marry old bingham. Oh,
Laurence, Laurcpce" she caught his
hand with mnd grasp In both her
own, then dropping It she turned
away. ~ hate him-hatc him-hatc
him." she painted wildly.
Laurence Dale bit his lip, and his
eyes grew dark with pain.
why marty him, ihen?" he asked,
She flashed swiftly about, and faced
him pale and still; In her purple blue
eyes dangerous light was shining;
her breath came quick and fast.
"Why?" she cried. cxcitedly. "Bc-
cause l nm n poor dependent, and
obliged TO obey my anpts wishes.
Aunt Branscombe has decrccd that
shall become that mans wife. lam
dependent upon her bounty; must
obey her. or be turned adrift upon the
world-all alone.
mol oh. mol" no cried. wildly,
surely II Is not SO bad ms that, Miss
Vancourt-Therescl'
The name fell from his lips before
he was aware Of his own tcmcrity.
She lifted her eyes TO his. She was
pale ms marble, her glorious eyes shin
ing like stars.
''It is US bad us that" she returned,
in low voice My aunt knows how
to torture me-with the very kccnest
cruclest torture. She has promised
old Percy Eflinghum that shall marry
him, nnd-she will keep her word"
''Shc shall not! oh, Thcrcsc,
Thorescl you may send INC from You.
II YOU like-you cannot prevent my
loving you! Yes-I-thc poor no.
body-only farmer who makes his
living out Of tho ground. My darling.
" yon could only care for me, would
save you from this horrible marriage.
Forgive me, dear heart" checking
the mad words upon his tongue.
IL have no right to Offer you pow.
erty; only my heart Is very rich In
love for you! Can you ever pardon
my presumption, darling? ! have
I atfth lbu iouk hiutt tue ITNt
timo ! looked into your sweet face.
you this. Only say that you forgive
me"
She checked him with q low cry.
laying her bit Of white hand upon
hts ariE-a white hand crowned with
n magnificent solitaire dinmond-old
Eiilngham's gift
Ellis ring!" she said. ns tho young
mans eyes fell upon H. Il cannot
wear Tilt hurts me. II feels like n
brand OF shnmci Laurence. listcni''
Her eyes mot his. then dropped
slowly. II love youl"
''rhercsc."
II love youl Don't ask me how !
know, or why love you. Ask nothing.
] only know that every throb Of my
heart Is for You"
Heaven bless you'll hut oh. my
darllngl" h,oppinR 10 press his lips ON
the white trembling hands. this Il
mndncssl ] must not permit such n
sacrificed
The beautiful eyes flashed Into hIn
ut IL no sacrifice" she said softly.
Cannot you understand ! lore you'
have loved you for weeks Lau.
renee. ] will never marry old Ening-
hnm-nevcrl'
A. That very instant tho gathering
storm burst forth, hurricane whose
horrors had never been surpassed
upon that const. II swept the bare
brown clifr with mnd. rcmorsclcs-
fury. mud dashed those two. clinaing
| wildly together. into tho depths Of this
set. Ito held her close 10 his heart
Her lip, rested upon bis In tender,
clingIng kisA
''i,ci,er death lilo this" she said.
,oflly, than lifc-witb old Efilpg.
ham"
ilut II wns no, 10 DO death. With n
mighty effort he managed 10 hold her
above the waves. aud ~ fought hls
way. Inch by inch, 20 land, Spent
aud bronthlcrs, bc dragged hia weary
limbs upon the beach. that slender III.
IRE ntill cinspcd Ia his arms. and Aanit
down upon the sand. inaensibic.
Half mn hour later the fury Of tho
storm had subsidized. and u party from
the hotel. armed with lanterns, set
forth IN search Of tho missing girl.
They found her. quite unconscious.
lying clasped In Laurence Dalo's arms,
he. too, oblivious 10 NIL outward
affairs
| Mira. ilrnnscombc. tail aud stately.
cold and cruel. living exponent ~
| fashion and conycntionnlity. took Ia
| the situation, her lip curling with
Allcn, Arorn. In u glance she com.
pretended all. aud memory rushed Ia
| ,hu fore with many hnlf.forEottcn ius
| siienta which uotutrd To the uupnlaa