Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-02-17

her father lean over and motion to a sea-
man, who moved up nearer to us as IL to
listen, i do know what it is to love. Ny
heart is aching for love Of you. 1 love you
far more than love my motherr'
Why, of course you dor she cried.
quite loud, so that l put my hand to her
mouth to stay her; for the seaman was very
near now.
And why, of course? But pray do not
speak so loud-' said l.
L always knew you liked me best of
every one OF course you could not help
thatI' she said.
Yet you say 1 do not know what love
is?'
Il said only that 1 deemed you too young
to know" she made answer. Then. in
moment, Look look she cried there
are the palms, How beautiful to see their
tall feathers wave in the wind, all blowing
one way. And there are the roofs of the
houses I wonder why some are matched
ana some all scarlet and purple?''
For she wished to change the subject
or perhaps. wished me to think she did.
But l was not to be put off in this man.
ner. So l said,without even taking my
eyes from the cheek, of which I could see
only the pretty curve. clean and firm like
boys. not plump like girrs-"Anna tell
me If you do not love me little, or If you
think that you will ever be able to love me
as-as Umphray spurway loves my
MOTHER"
She laughed a curious laugh willful, but
pleased. too. 1 could hear the eager pleas
ure in it
"Ah. Philip" she said. ''I will never love
you as Umphray Spurway loves your
mother"
And why?" I asked.
Because l know you too WELL Philip
she said. Il will not worship any man
least of all one whom l can beat at the
stone throwingv'
Whereat / was indignant, for, indeed, the
boast was quite a vain one.
You cannot / cried. Il will throw you
all day at bottle, and beat you soundly.
But that is not the question. man has a
right to an answer from girlr'
For l would not let the word drop. She
had called me man, and she must take the
consequences. l was not going to let her
go back on that great word
You shall have an answer then" she
Sald: i love you as much as your mother
loves your father
Then. being hurt at the heart that she
should so slight me, and also las I thoughO
make light of my mother, l withdrew my
hand from hers and went and stood at the
other side of the deck. But somehow the
purple had turned to gray. the crimson to
smoky yellow. The blue had gone out of
the sky and the fresh sea tang out of the
breathing air. 1 stood awhile by myself
and never so much as looked toward Anna
Mark.
But was conscious that she looked every
now and then at me- And 1 think she
smiled.
frankly and said: Philip do not be angry
with me. What have L done that you
should ill-use me SOP
Then said /: Anna. I have never ill-used
you L have only told you that | loved you
And you fiouted me unkindly for it,
well. did you expect me to fall at your
feet?" she said. a flash leaping up in her
eye. as it had way of doing at all such
times i will, If you say so. 1 will kiss
your shoe! See herer'
And 1 declare the madcap would have
done it there before all the sailormen and
the captain and her own father looking
down upon us.
We were now running close in, and the
to meet and inclose us. We had at last
caught the land wind and with Saul Mark
directing the helmSman. and now and then
taking the wheel himself while a crowd of
shiny-skinned mulattoes and negroes ran
along the shore we glided toward harbor
mouth. the water kissing from our STEM
and the whole ship lying away a little
gracefully from the wind.
Anna. give me a word to hearten mel"
said. This is a pirate island. We may
never get off it alive. Say a word to COM
fort me. and on my honor 1 will not trouble
you any more.
We'll. l am in the same case she said,
land yet 1 do not ask word from VIII
Bowman as to whether he loves me or mott
l was turning away. sick at heart. to be
so fiouted but she caught me quickly by
the arm.
You see. do not love VIII Bowman
she said: that is why 1 do not want him to
tell me. love to have you tell me that you
love mel"
And that was all / could get out of her
Yet from her-enough.
he