New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-04-14
Roynton who had also seated himself, now

she looked up AT MIN dS sIIe fSspohueu'
You may stay-a moment.
She turned to the dog again.
"Yucat.n," she said go. go back to the
house"
AS the dog slowly rose his mistress bent down
to him with a quick. ardent movement, and
pressed his head between her hands In a way she
had when caressnG him.
Yucatan gazed up wistfuy at her.
Then he walked deliberately toward the house
and disappeared through the open door.
Temple gazed after him with an ntenseness
| for which Boynton could not account
Then she turned toward the man near her. and
seemed to be waiting for him to speak
He did not at first find it possible to say a
word.
For some understandable reason to him their a +
titude toward each other seemed now full of a
sweet significance. And yet nothing had hap
pened. apparently.
Was 1t merely that the hour had struck?
This was what Boynton asked himself. And
| he longed to know what. Just now, this woman
was asking herself.
And why had she sent away the dog?
The excitement upon him was growing so In
tensely penetrating that he felt that he could
not much longer keep UP any semblance Of calm
ness.
He leaned forward with his elbows on his
knees. his hands still grasping his stick.
Somehow | didn't feel As II | could speak TO
any one-not even Miss Drowdy," he said, 80
/ rode up that cart path and left my horse
hitched down there. while waited. Sally said
she would tell you
He was conscious OF a feeling Of triumph in the
| appearance of intimacy at which these words
limited And he watched Temple to soc If she
resented this intimacy But her face told him
nothing 1t was downcast: the thick, light lashes
seemed to veil more than her eyes.
Still he allowed himself to fancy something TO
suit his own wishes.
She had never snubbed him. She had had
plenty Of opportunity to do 81. Therefore-here
the masculine vanity rose confident
"I've made a mistakc-a horrible mistake he
suddenly exclaimed with some violence. rushing
pell-men into subject which he had been long
Ing to mention to Temple.
She now turned slightly toward him. but she
did not raise her eyes AZ she said:
I'VE are always making mistakes. think
"yos know. But this is a very bad one
He put his hand into the inner pocket OF his
coat and drew out letter. He extended 1t
toward her saying:
This note came 10 me two days ago. MIS-.
Mercer will YOU read it,
Temple Just glanced at tho writing or tho en-
velopo She drew back a little. and made a sign
Of neGation.
Then l will tell you" hurriedly. Il must toll
YOU Mrs Mercer. Miss Wallis wrote this not"
There are not many words in 1t. she says she is
convinced that 1t will BE- better to discontinue our
engagement"
"Ohi"
Temples voice uttered the exclamation sharply
She threw back her head and her eyes flashed
over her companion. But they seemed 20 fash In
dew.
she loves YOU" she said. Her voice trcmbl"l
Boynton's head dropped. lie knew very vel
that Amy Wallis loved him; but how could that
be helped? still, IT was unfortunate. But how
ever unfortunate. man never grieves 70" much
because some woman loves him. even when he
cannot return that love.
"And l." began Roynton u thought loved
her have a sincere affection for her. Mrs
Mercer''-here a pause tina; was fu ~ meaning.
He went on now quickly. Ike horse who breaks
from n hcsitating trot into full gallop
Mrs Mercer perhaps I'm going to offend YOU
I can't help IT, can't see You another hour
Just as a mere friend. tell you'-in more In
tense tonc-"I tell YOU. II IS beyond human en-
duran-e - go on IN this way. thought
could bear g. thought could not I've win ny
1.-THE seeing you. you know. only q nave IN"
hight to meet YOU ius, - all others meet YOU
was sure could endure that, and be- thankful
for that Wclr'-
Here Roynton arose AMI stood in front of Tom
ple gazing down at her his eyes emphasizing his
words dangerously.
lie was silent an instant. the silence enveloping
tho two in that wonderful way which IS 50 much
more powerful and inslnuating than words can
be.
Boynton looked at Temples hands lying
casped in her lap. He dld not quite dare t.
take possession ~ them. lie had possibly Al
ready dared too much.
He had long prided himself upon not having
Puritanic IDEAS about anything. He did not
have Puritanic IDEAS concerning marriage. And.
moreover. he was sure that there was no love be
tween Richard Mercer and his wife. He did
not think there ever had been. He understood
their marriage we'll enough. It must have
turned out a horrible mistake for the wife.
This belief and these thoughts were confusedly
IN the mans mind now as he stood there In front
Of Temple.
And he was growing moro and more bewilderef
lie was not so unsophistlcated az To- think that
n woman's silence always means assent. He
know very well that IL may mean rcvulsion and re-
pulson.
you know I loved you when we used 10 meet
on the French Broad" he said. i've loved YOU
ever since | knew you. And | cannot help IT,
There are some things that are stronger. that
overcome u.s. Temple"
He bent down toward her. and put out hand
TO touch her
She did not shrink away. but she looked up at
him. and his hand dropped To his side
"Oh | love you he exclaimed. you must
have known IT all this time. You must And
Ia, q, out
Again he came nearer to her. This time he put
his hand on her clasped fingers.
PLEASE don't touch me-" she said
He drew back. His face became almost purple
as he gazed down at her. He raised his head. that
his breath might come more easily. But he could
not find the power 10 withdraw his eyes from her