The Wichita daily eagle., 1894-11-09

arms around me. ana a voice that
/ thrilled me cried
'Savedr'
When 1 recovered consciousness IN
the fisherman's low, ill-lighted cot
tage, her face was bending over me-.
I knew she was not aware of the
long, delicious draught of satisfied
gazing that permeated every fibre of
my being.
When L did really rouse and sit UP.
she was not there. l felt as if some
thing had suddenly gone out of my
life. I listened mechanically to the
narrow escape" and the kind offers
Of taking me home, as well as the ex-
pressions of sympathy. Simon, who
seemed little the worse for his duck
ing, had given all necessary informa-
ton about US. There had been
scarcely sufficient rain to lay the
dust, and as joltcd along in the un-
easy W .gOn, / at last summoned up
courage TO ask who the lady in the
riding habit was.
"Oh, that's Miss Rothelan-lives a
ways down in that queer stone house.
She seen you first, and wanted some
one to go out. 'Spose you owe your
life as much to her as any one"
/ shut my eyes IN the blessedness
Of supreme content, and listened to
the gossip OF mother and daughter.
learning that Mr.. Rothelan, the owner
Of my castle romantic, had come in
possession about seven years previous,
on the death of an uncle. He had
never affected the country folk mucn.
For weeks at a time his house would
be filed with gay jewellers from the
city, to which would succeed weeks
Of silence, when he returned his
friends visits. No cne knew him in
timately, or cared to. although he was
not an unpleasant man.
The next afternoon Mrs. Dawson
and her daughter, accompanied by
Frank and myself, drove over to the
Rothelan mansion. Its master re-
ceived US graciously. bantered me
little on reversing the order OF things
and being rescued by a lady, and en-
tertained us handsomely until Miss
Rothelan made her appearance. Her
figure was as fully as elegant in the
fieecy summer robe she wore now as
it had been yesterday. She was quite
tall, full. round and firm; no angles,
III dJI ullb NOV tilltilS, anu NcuCtE-
fully self-possessed. Her eyes were
large, serene. and full of dreamy Ian
guor that one absolutely longed to
arouse. Her complexion clear and
soft, with rose tints in the cheeks,
and a ripper glow coloring the beauti-
fully curved lips The golden brenzed
ringlets. that wonderful hue of the
old masters, rippIed like a silken sea,
rich with gloss and fine1ess. All my
life l had held rather idle prejudice
against anything so nearly approxi-
mating red; now my dislike vanished
in an instant.
I loved her with a sort Of wild.
absolute passion, that combined all
the elements of affection, respect, ten
derness. warmth and jeaiously When
I saw the fire flash up in those clear,
deep gray orbs. 1 had no fear Of her
answer. 1t was blushingly given, We.
with a certain strength that assured
me Of its duration and power. She
could never give such love to two
men; mine was already a Benjamin's
portion.
\ fortnight Of this delightful inter-
course. and my time for departure
arrived. IN unpleasant duty lay be-
fore mean interview with Mr. Roth
elan. 7 felt I mad nothing to offer
that would satisfy him l only hoped
TO persuade him to wait a year or
two before rejecting ne. IF 7 failed
then TO have a fortune in prospect. I !
would relinquish all claim to Miss
Rothelan.
lie heard me through with a cool. |
supercilious stare. declined the honor |
Of my future acquaintance in a man !
ner that completely crushed hope.
and declared that he had other views |
for his daughter. 1t wouldn't hurt
her to practice a little in this hum /
drum place b. way OF trying her He !
would see her and explain matters: /
il was not worth while for me 10
come over again: doubtless my friends 1
would be anxious for my society these /
last few days Of my stay. He would I
wish me ''s0od morning" and so he 4
bowed me out I was too deeply
wounded and too angry for any reply.
l was thankful that Frank was not 1
expected home 10 tea. Complaining Of .
a severe headache, I went to NV
chamber, and did not come down
again that night
The next morning Simon save me- .
note 1 knew at once who the writer
OF II must be, and it save me a SUD
--a rCs2 Or Jov. II was orle5. con-
ainins only these words
Meet me II the locust grove at
sunset" "E. r"
Il raised NE from the depths OF de-
Ipair 10 the heights of hope. I did
-ot stop 70 question the obedience she
'Wed her father. nor the respect I
owed myself. pride. scruples OF con-
science. and all. Went TO the winds
- eve, by sunset. I was there; Yet
found Miss RoIhelan awaiting ne.
\ot the bright face. not the glad ring
'f welcome n her voice. not the warm.
luick clasp q the hand: and though
'he did not resist the kiss 1 pressed
N her pale lips. as little did she -
arm Il. 4 chilling fear stole over me
i / tried % read her Countsnance.
Don {" she cried. and hid her face ,
'1 my shoulder. There was a blur %
.l5Is in her voice as we'll as her eyes. i
E,lna.' began. with convulsiv-
,l~s2- ycu Will not give me ~ 81
-eiEf You VIII wait
Let ne tell ycL something" she
slipping from Iay clasp. ana
-idcins her arm ia mine 50 ;haC We
night walk down Jh> path You
FiA ssa then there is oniy GA