El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1901-01-12
CHAPTER VII.

CHAPTER VII.
A CHOICE BETWEEN wEDLoCK AND THE
GALLONS.
"Wait q moment. / must speak to
you"
1t was Amabel who was holding
Frederick 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.
81 start for Springfield today" she
announced. II have another relative
there living at the - house. When
shall have the pleasure of seeing you
In my new home"
Never" 1t was said regretfully and
yet with a certain brusQueness occa-
stoned perhaps by overexcited feeling.
Hard as it is for me to say it, Anna
bel, it is but just for me to tell you that
after our parting here today we will
meet only as strangers. Friendship
between 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
~ expected, 1 must admit, to see her
color change and her head droop. But
instead of this she looked at him stead
lily for a moment. then slipped her
hand down his arm till she reached his
palm, which she pressed with sudden
warmth. dra awning him into the room as
she did so and shutting the door behind
them. He was speechless, for she new
er had looked so handsome or SO glow
ing. Instead Of showing depression or
humiliation even she confronted him
with smile more dangerous than any
display of grief could have been, for 1t
contained what it had hitherto lacked.
positive and irresistible admiration.
Her words were equally dangerous.
81 kiss your hand, as the Spaniards
sny." And she almost did so. with q
bend of her head which just allowed
him to catch a glimpse of two startling
dimples-
He was astounded. He thought he
knew this woman well, but at this mo-
ment she was as incomprehensible to
him as if he had never made a study Of
her caprices and ever shifting express
sions.
81 am sensible Of the honor" said he.
'"but hardly understand how / have
earned it,
Still that incomprehensible look Of
admiration continued to illumine her
face.
81 did not know 1 could ever think 20
well Of you" she declared. eff you do
not take care. 1 shall end by loving you
some day"
"Ah." he calculated. his face con-
tracing with sudden pain, your love.
then, is but a potentialityI Very well.
Amabel. keep it SO and you will be
spared much misery. AS for me. who
have not been as wise as you
"Frederickw She had come 30 near
he did not have the strength to finish.
Her face, with its indefinable charm.
was raised to bis, as she dropped these
words one by one from her lips in lin
sering cadence. 'Frederick-do you
love me. then, SO very nuchT
He was angry; possibly because he
felt his resolution failing him. You
know" he hotIy began. stepping back.
Then with a sudden burst Of feeling
that was almost like prayer he re-
sumed: do not tempt me. Amabel.
have trouble enough without lament
ing the failure OF my first steadfast
purpose"
"Ah." 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 Il pur-
pose. has it! Well. I'm not worth II.
Frederick"
More and more astounded. under
standing her less than ever. but charm
ed by looks that would have moved an
anchorite. he turned his head away in
vain attempt to escape an influence
that was SD rapidly undermining his
determination.
She saw the movement. recognized
the weakness 1T bespoke. and in the
triumph Of her heart allowed a low
laugh to escape her.
Her voice. as have before said, was
unmusical though effective. but her
laugh was deliciously sweet. especially
when II was restrained to a mere rip
pie, as now.