The San Francisco call., 1901-12-15

lightful sensations took possession Of him;
his heart fiuttered oddly; his head began
to reel under the spell.
ecstacy. There was no answer. He re-
membered his matchsafe. and with trem-
bling, eager fingers drew it from the
pocket of the coat he was wearing. The
next instant he was scratching a match,
but as it fiared the body of his companion
was hurled against his and a ruthless
mouth blew out the feeble blaze.
''Oh, why do you persist?" was cried in
his ears,
ST am determined to see your face" he
answered, sharply, and with a little cry
of dismay the other occupSnt of the car
riage fell back in the corner. The next
match drove away the darkness and the
mystery. With blinking eyes he saw the
tinid soldier huddling in the corner. one
striving to pull the skirt Of a military coat
over pair Of red trouser-legs. Below the
arm that hid the eyes and nose he saw
above, long. dark tresses strayed in con
demning confusion. The breast beneath
the blue coat heaved convulsively.
The match dropped from his fingers,
der in the strong arms of the fugitive
not a soldier bold but a gasping blush
ing, unresisting coward. The 1.-THE form
qulvered and then became motionless in
the fierce, straining embrace; the head
dropped upon his shoulder, his hot lips
caressing the burning face and pouring
WIG, 1ncOherenC words into the little RS.
"You Your he cried, mad with Joy,
"Oh, this is heaven itself! My brave dar-
ling! Mine forever-mine forever! You
shall never leave me now! Drive on!
9rns ry on Nth he to the outside
journey endless. l know you love me now
Il know 1t! God, l shall die with joy!"
An arm stole gently about his neck, and
her lips found his in long, passionate
kiss
IT did not want you to know! Ach. Il am
so sorry! Why why did come tonight /?
l vas so strong, so firm. 1 thought, but
own me. body and soul, in spite of every
you-I love you'll!
II have won against the princes and the
potentates! ] was losing hope, my Queen,
losing hope. You were so far away, so un-
attainable. 1 would brave a thousand
deaths HI ,1 rather 1ff than lose this single min
man in all the world. How brave you
are! This night you have given up every
thing for my sake. You are fleeing with
me, away from all that has been dear to
mo, no. You must not be deluded. 1t
is only for tonight, only till you are safe
from pursuit. l shall go back You must
not hope for more than this hour of weak
ness sweet as it is to me- she cried
he cried his heart chilling.
"You know / cannot. That Is why I
hoped you would never know how much
/ care for you. Alas, you have found me
out! My love was made rash by fear
You could never have escaped the ven
shielded you. This was the only course
and I dared not hesitate. 1 should have
died with terror had you gone TO trial.
me unwomanly for coming with YOU IS
am. It was necessary-really it Wasl No
one else could have" But he smothered
the wall in kisses.
divine inspiration. But you will come with
me, away from Graustark away from
every one. Say that you will!''
'I cannot bear to hear you plead. and II
breaks my heart to go back there. But
/ cannot leave Graustark-I cannot! If
would be heaven to go with you to the
end of the world, but 1 have others be-
sides myself to consider. You are my god.
my idol I can worship you from my un-
happy throne from my chamber. from
the cell into which my heart is to retreat.