Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1897-04-16

/
gray eyes rest on his face. Surely.
have done no more than any woman
| would have done in my placer"
"And not moro than you would have
done for the veriest stranger, " he added
rather bitterly, AT the same time.
should not like you to think me una
grateful especially as must leave Ash.
ieen tomorrow. The regiment Is under
orders for foreign service. We sail inn
mcdiately, and after tomorrow 1t Is un-
likely shall see you again. except to
say goodby.
His voice was harsh and strained, and
his eyes fell gloomily ON the fire. No
answer And AZ the silence grew pro-
longed he turned and looked at her.
She was quite calm, the tranquility Of
her face unmoved.
How cold, how cruelty cold she isi'
he thought hopelessly Yet what could
his going be to her but matter Of COM
plete indifference2 But. all the same. II
seemed bitterly hard, when every fiber
OF his being was pulsing with u passion
ate, hopeless love for her, she should be
so utterly and completely unconscious
and unresponsive.
"You will like it?" she said at length,
| note of calm Interrogation in her low
tones
Like I'll" he echoed rather wildly.
"Do you think man likes leaving all
| no holds best and dearest in the world
| when going means for him drearicrt OK
lie into outer darknessP II you can sup
pose such thing to be possible, then
like going" with IL miserable, Earring
laugh.
Her eyes gazed straight into his, com
| pelling and drawing his TO meet them
by the very intensity ofhor gaze. Then.
swiftly folding her work, she rose and
stood with one hand resting on tho man
telpiece, as If to steady herself. still
looking down ut him.
what do you mean?" she qvcalioned
in very low voice.
~ mean | love you." he muttcrcd
recklessly "Scorn me, despise me,
don't care must speak or | shall 20
mad, l think. l never. God knows,
meant to tell you this, but circumstances
have been too strong for me- had bet
ter leave your house mt once before you
order me out " And sinking his face on
his hands, he breathed hurriedly
| Silence.--dead silence--followed his
speech, asiience no intense that hecouid
almost hear the beating of his heart.
| After time he raised his head languid.
| ly and rested his haggard eyes on her.
She had not stirred, except that one
white hand was tightly clinched on heI
bosom. crushing the delicate lace of liei
gown, While her eyes snohe Win
strange llght ~ they met MS,
All at once, WIN suudoh' tehui
movement she iell on her Knees peside
the coueh' ana her hoio hnsers tWiiieu
round ms Almost ineenahieaily' III NE
great astonlshment ms heart beating 70
snnocatioh' ms arms closed round hei
tightly, ne drew her CLOSE 10 MN An ne
ana 20 iohg, soit sign escaped her.
'Oh, my love- ne breathed very low,
caressihg the soit rippies OF her nan
mat lay aghihst ms Hps IN IL realiyi
DO you care nttieF
Yes she whispered nesting ciosa
IN ms arms. nave cared al along,
think. You havo magnetized me IN some
way. was drawn 10 you irresistipiy'
All the summer was one long dream &C
me because you We're thefe, ana saw
| you dnliy. never even triea 70 ehea
myself WIN inc pueriie DeIeI tnht inc
teeiinB had Tor you was platohio' tna'
mask under which 40 many liy 10 ae'
ceive themseiy yes ana h.de their reai ieei,
ings. NO l knew loved you, ana !
guessed that was not quite ihdlnereh'
TO you. But you should never nave
known mad you not SPOKEN ! nm JOG
proud woman 10 wear my heiirt on my
sleeve. DO you remember tiis d,y on
your accident--that iearfni day! saw
you fhll INTO the road, ana Tor one hwtui
moment OF slckening suspense ! thouBh'
you We're killed. but when Knew you
We're only badly hurt, not dehd, tclt !
could not bear that you should DC tended
anywhere but here, no that might look
after you and DO your companion Ill youi