The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-02-26
CHAPTER VII.

"Wait d moment, 1 must speak to
you"
1t was Amabel who was holding Fred
erick back She had caught him by the
arm as he was about leaving the room
with his father, and he felt himself
obliged to stop and listen.
L start for Springfield today, she
announced. L have another relative
there living at the - house. When
snail l have the pleasure OF seeing you
in my new home?"
Never" It was said regretfully, and
yet with a certain hrusqueness, occa-
stoned, perhaps, by over-excited feeling.
Hard as it is for me to say it, ANA
bel, it is but just for me to tell you that
after our parting here today we will
meet only as strangers. Friendship be-
tween US would be mOckery, and any
closer relationship has become impos-
sible."
1t had cost him an immense effort to
say these words. and he expected, fond
ly expected, 1 must admit, 70 see her
color change and her head droOp. But
instead of this, she looked at him
steadily for moment, then slipped her
hand down his arm till she reached his
palm. which she pressed with sudden
warmth. drawing him into the room as
she did so, and shutting the door be-
hind them. He was speeches., for she
never had looked so handsome or SO
glowing. Instead of showing depres-
sion, or humiliation even, she confront
ed him with smile more dangerous
than any display of grief could have
been, for it contained what it had hith-
erto lacked, positive and Irresistible
admiration. Her words were equally
dangerous.
L kiss your hand, as the SDaniards
saw" And she almost did SO, with
bend of her head, which Just allowed
him to catch Il glimpse Of two startling
dimples.
He was astomished. He thought he
knew this woman well, but at this mo-
ment she was as incomorehensible to
him as If ne had never made study Of
her caDrices and ever shifting express
sicns.
4 am sensible of the honor" said he.
but hardly understand how l have
earned it
Still that incomprehensible look of
admiration continued to lllumine her
face.
I did not know I could ever think so
well OF YOU she declared. IF you do
not take care. / shall end by loving
you some day.
All" he CALCULATED. his face con-
tracing with sudden pain; your love,
then. is but potentially. Very well.
Amabel. keep il so, and you viii be
spared much misery. AS for me, who
have not been as wise as you
FREDERICK" she had come so near
he did not have the strength to finish.
Her face. with its indefinable charm,
was raised to his, and she dropped these
words one BY one from her lips in
lingering cadence: "Frederick-do you
love me. then. so very much
He was angry; possibly because he
81 III Vfr,
know" he hotly began, stepping back.
Then, with a sudden burst of 1eesing
that was almost Ike prayer. he re-
sumed: DO not. tempt me. Amabei, l
have trouble enough, without lament
ing the failure OF my first steadfast
An" she said stopping where she
was. but drawing him toward her by
every witchery of which her mobile
features were capable; your generous
impulse has strengthened into pur-
pose, has it? Well, I'm not worth it,
Frederick
More and more astounGed; under
standing her less than ever; but
by looks that would have
moved an anchorite, ne turned his mead
away in a vain attempt to escape an
influence that was so rapidly UNDER
mining his determination.
She saw the movement. recognized
the weakness it bespoke. and in the tri-
umph of her weak heart allowed a low
laugh TO ESCAPE her.
Her voice, as | have before said, was
though effective; but her
laugh was deliciously sweet, especially
when it was restrained to a mere ripple,
as now
You will come to Springfield soon.'
she avowed. slipping from before him,
so as 10 leave the way to the door
open.
"Amabeli" his voice was strangely
husky, and the involuntary opening and
of his hands revealed the emo
ton under which he was laboring. DO I