The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-07-21
Raving made the Spantard as fast as l
on4f11

H1vi7ag made the SpG1iGrd as fast as 1
could.
not-I mean that am going home, as it
grows late. But, say, why do you run so
fast, and what has happened to you,
Thomas, that your arm is bloody and you
carry sword in your hand?'
II have no breath to speak yet, an
swered. "Conae back to the hawthorns,
and will tell you.
"No; must be vending homeward I
have been among the trees for more than
an hour, and there is little bloom upon
them"
81 could not come before, Lily. was
kept and in strange manner; also saw
bloom as I ran.
Indeed I never thought that you would
come Thomas she answered, looking
down, "who have other things to do than
to go out Maying] <e girl But wish
to hear your story, IS short, and I will
walk little way with you. !"
So we turned and walked side by side
toward the great pollard oaks and by the
time that we reached them I had told her
the tale of the Spaniard, and how he
stroye to kill me, and how I had beaten
him with my staff. Now, Lily listened ca
gerly enough and sighed with fear when
She learned how close had been to death.
''But you are wounded, Thomas!" she
broke in 'sSee, the blood runs fast from
your arm. Is the thrust deep?"
Il have not looked to see. I have had no
time to look"
'sTake off your coat, Thomas, that
NAV dress the wound. Nay, will have
it So"
So I drew off the garment, not without
pain, and rolled up the shirt beneath, and
there was the hurt-a clean thrust through
the feshy part Of the lower arm. Lily
washed it with water from the brook and
bound it with her kerchief, murmuring
words of pity all the while. To say truth,
I would have suffered worse harm glad
" if only could find her to tend it. In
deed her gentle care broke down the fence
of my doubts and gave mo courage that
otherwise might have failed me in her
presence At first indeed could find no
words, but as she bound my wound bent
down and kissed her ministering hand.
She flushed red as the evening sky, the
flood of crimson losing itself at last be-
meath her auburn hair, but it burned deep
est upon the white hand which had kiss
ed.
why did you do th:t, Thomas?" she
said in a low voice.
Then spoke II did it because love
you, Lily, and do not know how to begin
the telling of my love. I love you, dear,
and have always loved. as always shall
love you"
''Are you so suro of that, Thomas:" she
said again.
''There is nothing else in the world OF
which I am so sure, Lily. What l wish
to be as sure of is that you love me as
love you. -
For a moment she stood quiet, her head
sunk almost to her breast. Then she lift
ed it, and her eyes shone as had never
seen them shine before.
'sCan YOU doubt it, Thomas she said.
And now took her in my arms and
kissed her on the lips, and the memory of
that kiss has gone with nc through my
long life and is with me Yet, when, old
and withcred, stand upon the borders Of
the grave. 1t was the greatest JOY that
has been given to me in all my days Too
soon, alas it was done, that first pure kiss
of youthful love, and spoke again, some
what aimlessly:
''It seems, then, that you do love me
who love you so well?''
IF you dokbted it before, can you doubt
it now?" she answered very softly. but
listen, Thomas. 1t is well that we should
love each other, for we were born to it and
have no help in the matter, even if we
wished to find it Still, though love be
sweet and holy, it is not all, for there is
duty to be thought of, and what will my
father say to this, Thomas?''
II do not know, Lily, and yet I can
guess. am sure, sweet, that he wishes
you to take my brother Goetfrey and leave
me on one side
''Then his wishes are not mine, Thomas;
also, though duty be strong, it is not
strong enough to force a woman to mar
rage for which she has no liking. Yet it
may prove strong enough to keep a woman
from marriage for which her heart pleads.
Perhaps also it should have been strong
enough to hold me back from the telling