The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-07-18

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Houing made the Sponiord as fast as I
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 "Come back to the hawthorns,
and will tell you. -
No; must be vending homeward. l
have been among the trees for more than
an hour, and there is little bloom upon
them. -
Il could not come before, Lily. Twas
bloom as 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 like girl. But wish
to hear your story, if it is short. and Twill
walk q 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 had told ner
the tale Of the Spaniard. and how he
stroye to kill me, and how 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.
'sBut you are wounded, Thomas" she
broke in. See, the blood runs fast from
your arm Is the thrust dccp?"
Il have not looked to see. have had no
time to look.
Take off your coat, Thomas, that /
may dress the wound. Nay, will have
it so.'
So 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,
would have suffered worse harm glad
ly if only could find her to tend it. In
deed her gentle care broke down the fence
of my doubts and gave me 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
food 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 that, Thomas?" she
said in a low voice.
I'M - ~
you, Lily, and do not know how to begin
the telling of my love. love you, dear,
and have always loved, as always shall
love you"
Are you so sure Of that, Thomas?" she
said again.
''There IS nothing else in the world Of
which am so sure, Lily. What wish
to be as sure Of is that you love me as I
love you.
For moment she stood quiet, her head
sunk almost to her breast. Then she lift
ed it, and her eyes shone as I had never
seen them shine before.
"Can 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 me through my
long life and is with me yet, when, old
and withercd, 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:
SIT seems, then, that you do love me
who love you so wcll:"
IF you doubted it before, can you doubt
it now?" she answered very softly. But
listen, Thomas It 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, thodgh 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 can
guess am sure, sweet, that he wishes
you to take my brother Goefrey and leave
me on one side"
ssThen his wishes are not mine, Thomas;
also, though duty be strong, it is not
strong enough to force woman to a mar
riage for which she has no liking. Yet it
may prove strong enough to keep woman
from marriage for which her heart pleads.
Perhaps also it should have been strong
enough to hold me back from the telling
Of my love-"
s'No, Lily; the love itself is much, and
though it should bring no fruit, still it IS
something to have won 1t forever and q
day."
"You are very young to talk thus,
Thomas. am also young, know, but
we women ripen quicker. Perhaps all
this Is but boys fancy, to pass with boy
hood.''
ut will never pass, Lily. They say that
our first loves are the longest, and that
which is sown in youth will flourish IN
our age. Listen, Lily. have my place to
make In tho world, and it may take time
in the making, and I ask one promise Of
you, though perhaps 1t is selfish thing to
seek. I ask of you that you will be faith
full to me, and, come fair weather or foul,
will we'd no other man till you know me
dead"
1T is something to promise, Thomas,
for with time como changes. Still I am
so sure of myself that I promise-nay,
swear it. OF you I cannot be sure, but
things arc so with us women that we must
risk all upon a throw, and if we lose good
by to happiness.