Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1894-02-22

]
Mary knew that he knew II.
"She went out soon after we came
from the mill. she said. And when he
had left her she let her work fall on
her lap and sat buried in troubled
thought.
Tom went straight home, walking
very quickly until he was close to the
cottage, and then lounged as II
ashamed Of having hurried, or not
wishing TO be seen hurrying.
Savannah Morbyn was sitting with
his father, and rose when Tom entered
the room
81 must CO." she said directly, and
when she took the hand he held out
she clasped II till she felt it tremble;
and she looked into his eyes, her own
shining with n great luster.
He said nothing; he could find no
words. But when she had put on her
hat he showed that he was going with
her.
ut is not safe for Savannah to be out
alone In these times" he said TO his IA
thcr, as II excusing himself
mo, lad, no; go with her. She's a
good lass" said the old man. "A good
lass. Take care Of her, Tom"
There's no need for you to go with
me" said Savannah.
I'm going" was all Tom said; and
the look which she shot out OF her eyes
at him made him thrill with secret,
guilty shaming, yet glorious pleasure.
The two cottages were some distance
apart, lying in different ends of the
long village; and there was a back
way, footpath, leading at the rear OF
the cottages; not so near as by the
road, but much less frequcnted.
Let us go by the footpath," said
Tom, when they reached the corner
of the little cross street that led TO IL.
ut Is not so near; and Mary is
alone" answered his companion, but,
as II in answer to his look, she turned
that way at once.
Tom walked by her side in silence.
lie seemed almost afraid TO speak;
afraid lest he should break the spell
which seemed to hold him. Merely to
be with her, to feel the wondrous
charm which she exerted over him, to
touch her as now and then he did as
they walked together, filled him with
too great emotion TO let him speak.
They walked thus silently for nearly
half the distance, till they came TO a
spot where the path ran between high
hedges and stile divided two of the
helds one from the other. IL was
very secluded place, and in the deep
dusk OF the evening everything was
still and silent. Savannah paused a
moment before crossing the stile, and,
by stopping, caused Tom to come
against her, when she put her hands
out and touched him.
In a momcnt-how II happened he
knew not--his arms were round her.
Carried away by the mad impulses that
drove him and sent the blood rushing
through his veins, he pressed her to
him, and, drawing down her face TO
his, rained kisses upon her eyes and
checks and lips.
She lay in his arms at first, letting
him do as he would with her, her eyes
half closed, her head resting upon his
shoulder, and her face pressed to his.
Next, with sudden burst of passion,
she clasped him half convulsively in
her embrace and kissed him to the full
as wildly and passionatcly as he had
kissed her. Then she drew back and
with deep sigh buried her face in
her hands and lcant upon the stile.
All the time no word had been
| spoken between them. save an occa-
sional term of passionate endearmcnt.
When at length she looked up, the
tears were in her voice.
why have you done thisP"
81 love vnu Savannah ,y.g 49,
answer 81 love you. There Is no one
In the world like you to me-"
The tone In which he spoke seemed
to brighten her,
"Non have no right TO love me. ="
Her voice was very soft aud caressing
81 know nothing OF right. You force
me- you know it, There is none in the
world like you"
She laughed soft, musical, rippling
laugh' and the next minute sighed
heavily.
"Ah, you do not know me. You do
not know"
IL know enough 10 love you, Savan-
nah," and he went to her again and
placed his hand on hers. II want to
know no more"
| HtDllA,
and taking his hand, pressed It in her
warm, trembling fingers and kissed IT,
ana then placed it round her waist
while she laid her two hands on his
shoulders, looking into his face till her
warm breath maddened him, as her
kisses fell again on his lips. Then She
rested her head against his breast and
spoke in low, bewitching, caressing
tone, in the softness of which there
seemed faint strain of sadness:
DO you really love me, Toni"
lie kissed her hotly as he murrlurel
an answer.
81 mean with love that lasts. Could
you bear anything for me? Could you
trust me--live for mc-die for me?"
MY love knows no limits" he said,
almost wildly. II am yours body and
soul; | swear It,"
Can you wait for me? Surprising
there We're something between us; a
bar, which only patience could move
could you wait? Nay" she said, laugh
ing sweetly; suppose II were nothing
but my will that said, Il wish this |
wish that i wish to wait'-could you
trust me?"
you can do with me as you will, y"
he said, kissing her, my love is the
warp; you weave the pattern of the
welt as you please"
And what of MaryP" she asked.
"Ah, you start. 1t is she you love, not
me. Go TO her. and she made us If to
move out Of his embrace. But he
would not suffer her,