The record-union., 1895-09-07
SACRAMENTO RECORD UNION SATURDAY sEpTEMBrR

saw, despite the pleasant manner as
sumed, that he was terribly in earnest.
They had now stopped IN the path and
he spoke rapidly.
for another moment what l am sure you
already know, that l love you as few
men have ever loved before. l have
loved you from the first moment / saw
you, and shall love you with my latest
breath. l know you will plead this Is
hasty and that you do not know me suffi-
ciently we'll; that there is no necessity
for haste and all that. But l must leave
for time, and | love you too deeply to
delay another day. Tell me that l am
not wholly Indifferent to you; that you
can, that you do love me in return. Let
me be assured of this, and that you will
be mine.o
And sezing her hand he covered 1t with
kisses before she could resist or had re-
covered from her surprise. Indeed, his
manner was so vehement and he was 80
fearfully in earnest that for the moment
she was overawed or under kind of
spell. Instantly he drew her to him and
placed his arm about her waist, but that
moment the spell was broken, and quick
as flash she sprang back, releasing her-
self from his grasp. Her woman nature
was aroused and her eyes flashed with
real anger.
MIR. Kirk" said she, you have no
right to assume so much toward me. [
have never given you occasion. Let me
pass. l wish to 60 home"
She spoke with spirit, and he saw she
was in earnest.
You surely do not mean that, Miss
Ray. Oh, tell me you have some love for
me. Tell me there is some hope. | can
walt. II must; but L can not, will not be-
lleve there is no hope. You will not say
that, Miss Ray?'
II must say it, for it is true" said she.
And now let me go home. 1 must not
stay another minute"
And she slipped around him, when he
suddenly caught her hand again and said
tiercely:
You shall not stir from this place un-
I'll you assure me | have some hope /
Will not believe you even ii you tell me
to the contrary. You must-you shall be
mine"
With wonderful strength she broke his
grasp. and stepping back she said:
want no more ofthis Never speak
to me on this subject again."
her f1ashlng eyes and determined man
ner told him she meant it and he knew
his fate. but raising his hand he said.
while fearful gleam shot from his
eyes;
Il swear that nothing in heaven or
earth shall prevent you from yet becom-
ing my wife. You may go, but you will
meet me again"
Not with my CONSENT" she said and
hurried home.
When she arrived at the cottage she
sank into chair and trem bled like a
leaf. 1t had all been so sudden, and
seemed so strange, that she could hardly
realize it.
She asked herself the question. Had
she not heard of his gambling expert
ence would she have acted differently?
one could not answer it now. But of
one thlng she was assured-she feared
Nun now. After q time she became
calmer and set about getting supper.
CLINTON would be home in an hour-then
She would tell him all, and when they
had eaten she related her adventure
Il never liked the man." said Clinton.
ana nave always been suspicious of
MIN. L hope now, little sister, you are
efectually rid OF him. Do you know |
feared you might become too fond of
him."
Arthur called in the evening on his
way from the Flat bringing a letter for
Lucy from her travelling acquaintance.
Miss Mayne at Nugget Hill
L am so glad to hear from ".said
Lucy.
The letter related their experience at
the Hip since their arrival. Itdwelt
I'VE have become quite Indifferent to
nights and even an occasional hanging.n
said Miss Mayne. There is said TO be
an organized band of robbers also, with
headquarters somewhere in the mount
aims south of the Hill, but officers have
been unable to discover their retreat.
My fathers partner was robbed of his
entire seasons hing"-meaning the
gold dust they had washed out-wrote
Clara, "and L am almost afraid to 90 out
alone for fear of being captured by the
bandits. But how romantic that would
be If it turned out all right. l have be-
come quite lioness. There are nice
young men by the hundred"
"She seems lively girl" said Clin-
ton.
es, indeed" said Lucy. 'She was
the life of our party on our journey up in
the STAGE"
To be COntiuueG