Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1897-03-11

her ldCS uuII.OsCu.
"How cold, how cruelty cold she ISL"
he thought hopclcssly. Yet what could
his going lie to her but matter Of COM
plcte iIdin srence? But, all'the same, it
seemed bitterly hard, when every fiber
Of his being was pulsing with a passion
ate, hopeless love for her, she should be
SO utterly and completely unconscious
and unresponsive.
''You will like it," she said at length,
a note of calm Interrogation In her low
tones.
Like itl' he echoed rather wildly.
"Do you think man likes leaving all
he holds best and dearest in the world
when going means for him dreariest ex-
lie into outer darkness? If you can sup
pose such a thing to be possible, then I
like going,' with miserable, jarring
laugh.
Her eyes gazed straight into his, COM
pelling and drawing his to meet them
by the very intensity Of her gaze. Then,
swiftly folding her work, she rose and
stood with one hand resting on the man
telpiece, as if 10 steady herself, still
looking down at him.
'What do you mean?" she questioned
in a very low voice.
81 mean I love you" he muttered
recklessly. "Scorn me, despise me,
don't care. I must speak or shall go
mad, I think. I never, God knows,
meant to tell you this, but circumstances
have been too strong for me. l had bet
ter leave yeur house at once before you
order me out And sinking his face on
his hands, be breathed hurriedly.
Silence-dead silence-followed his
speech, a silence SO intense that he could
almost hear the beating of his heart.
After time he raised his head languid-
" and rested his haggard eyes on her
She had not stirred, except that one
white hand was tightly clinched on her
bosom, crushing the delicate lace Of her
gown, while her eyes shone with a
strange light as they met his.
All at once, with a sudden, tender
movement, she fell on her knees beside
the couch, and her soft fingers twined
round his. Almost mechanically, in his
great astonisl1lnent, his heart beating to
suffocation, his arms closed round her
tightly, he drew her close to him. AS he
did SO long, soft sigh escaped her.
ooh, my love, y he breathed very low,
caressing the soft ripples Of her hair
that lay against his lips, is it really?
Do you care a little?'
Yes" she whispered, nesting closer
in his arms. ST have cared all along, I
think You have magnetized me in some
way. I was drawn to you irresistibly.
All the summer was one long dream to
me because you were there, and I saw
you daily. never even tried to cheat
myself with the puerile belief that the
feeling l had for you was platonic, that
mask under which SO many try to de-
ceive themselves and hide their real feel
ings. No. I knew [ loved you, and I
guessed that was nct quite Indifferent
to you. But you should never have
known had you net spoken. l am too
proud a woman to wear my heart On my
sleeve. Do you remember the day OF
your accident-that fearful day? | saw
you fall into the road, and fer one awful
moment Of sickening suspense I thought
you were killed. But when knew you
were only badly hurt, not dead, felt l
could not bear that you should be tended
anywhere but here, SO that might look
after you and be your companion in your
convalescence. And have been SO hap
by during these past weeksp'
l. IT, ,c,k h<,
playing him false as the sweet voice
faltered and paused. His queen, whom
he had always thought SO cold, SO calm,
was i'll his arms, at his feet Tightening
his arms round her, he bent his face
over hers till his lips net and sought
hers in long, delirious kiss. Then q
prolonged silence ensued.
The freight had sunk to adult glow,
the room was wrapped il deepest shad-
ows, when the loud banging of several
doors and the sound Of a loud, CHEEKY
voice announced the return Of Sir John
Lexley from hunting As he entered the
library the ususal cheerful picture OF a
brightly blazing fire and the graceful
form Of his wife presiding at the tea la
BILE was missing. Instead, Captain Cor
don was tic only occupant Of The room.
standing with lis back to the dying fire,
stroking his short dark mustache
thoughtfully.
In less than week the --th sailed
for Malta. and nothing was left Gordon
but the memory of the past and photo
graph Of a woman. London Sketch.