The Elbert County tribune., 1900-04-12

petuosity of the lover, there was no
doubt about his earnestness. IF you
ever go back home. it must be as my
wife: but, Lille. won't promise you
l would take you. l could not bear
1t, for / am homeless wanderer now"
The culver in his voice moved her
profoundly.
We Will make fresh home, Don.
you and /. wherever you like in the
whole world she said.
Even Don. self-absorbed as was his
nature, was touched by her devotion.
You are very generous. my darling,
ana am going to take you at your
word by asking your father to give
you to me before the summer. / hope
to see him in a very short time, for l
have just had orders to take relief
draft Of our Derbys out to join his
camp Tomorrow"
She turned pale as her clinging
gown.
Tomorrow? oh, Don, why didn't
you tell me before you were going to
leave me Tomorrow"
Because i'll news is told all too
soon." he answered gently. But
cheer up. child, don't expect to be
gone more than three or four weeks
at the most
But she clung to him. with the tears
swimming in her beautiful blue eyes
"Oh, Don, my dearest. | shall be
dreading all sorts of things happening
to you on the wayi used to feel so
frightened when my father went out
first; but now l know he is safely in
camp 1t is different. Oh, Donl" she
broke OF, "if you never come back to
me 1t would break my heart!"
MY darling" he reassured her. "the
is practically over. There's really
nothing to be nervous about"
You must think of me killing time
counting the hours which will bring
me back to the dear little woman who
is going to open a paradise for the
poor outcast wanderer."
She put up her little hand to his
lips.
Don't call yourself that, Don. AS we
hope to be forgiven. forgive and for
get the wrong your mother did you
when she brought you up as Gadies
heir. Remember it was all for love
of you she sinned."
what then, sweet pleader. would
you have 1t that love condones a SIM"
he queried. capturing the hand and
covering 1t with kisses.
God Forbid" she answered earnest
ly; but surely, because of that love,
forgiveness should be easier?"
All! how both were to remember that
conversation in bitter day to come!
All too soon came the final moment
for last caresses and parting words,
for presently the red-turbaned native
announced that Gordon sahib's horse
was at the gate as ordered. and his
cloak also. as dew was falling"
Lille picked up silk coverlet from
the divan, and throwing 1t over her
shoulders, accompanied her lover to
the veranda.
The moon had risen, and in Its clear
light her lovely face. with its aureole
of golden hair. shone radiant with its
love, but quivering with the pain which
this moment of farewell brought.
The red fireflies were flashing, the
perfume of rose and pink oleander
waited from the garden on the hot air.
On the far-stretching terrace of the
bungalow a great adjutant bird. with
its head nesting under its wing, was
silhouetted against the silvery expanse
of sky.
From the prickly-pear hedge OF the
compound rose anon the melancholy
howl of a jackal.
All unconsciously, scene and hour
were to be fixed irrevocably upon Don
Gordon's memory down to the veriest
trifie.
He took his cloak from the natives
hand, and, throwing 1t on. stood trifiing
with its clasp to prolong the exquisite
fascination of the spell which had sud
denly fallen upon him and held him in
Its grasp.
Was 1t the mystic secret of love
which was coming to him there on the
silvery wings OF the tropic night.
He stopped at last and gathered the
trembling girl in lingering embrace.
What message shall I take to the
father. little one?''
That love you," she answered sim
ply, land that only live for you both
to come back to me-"
He sealed the confession with a pas
sionate kiss, and tore himself away. to
spring lightly to the saddle.
For an instant he paused on his
prancing steed with barred head, his
brown eyes bent upon her. and smile
on his moustached lips.
It'll we meet again" He spoke
softly then. as, kissing his hand to her,
he resumed his helmet and galloped
away into the moonlit night
It'll we meet again!"
She lifted her tear-dimmed eyes 10
the star-spangled heavens in mute
supplication that the Father OF all
would watch between him and her TILL
that day came.
All! she little knew what the inter-
val held in store.