Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1901-01-18

to possess.
The childhood in the face il gone:
it is q woman's face now, tender and
earnest in its womanliness. And the
expression in the dark-gray eyes, AZ
they meet his for one startled mo-
ment, and then drop away, is one
which thrills Paul Enderby, stunned
and shaken az he still is. through and
through
"Jasmine4" he signs, and, putting
out his hand, takes hers and holds IT.
my little Jasmine!"
! The white flower now becomes .
crimson one.
I'VE did not know-you did not say
you were coming" Jasmine falters.
Are you hurt? Oh, you must be! I
saw you coming round the curve,
though I did not know you; and
tried to call. but it was too late. Oh,
am 50 thankful it is not worse!"
She shuddered. "Tell me what I can
do for your"
II shall stand up, and then we'll see
If there any broken bones. May ]
lean on you?"
Paul puts his hand on the slender
shoulder, and stands up, shaking his
| limbs like a wounded lion.
my arm Is bruised bit, I think;
otherwise seem sound enough. Hal
10! what's this?" as drop or two Of
blood falls on his hand.
"Oh, It's your arm! Let me look
at it," cries Jasmine, turning pale
again. "Sit down. and shall try to
bandage it."
He does so, and rolls up his sleeve.
There is an ugly Jagged rent In the
| flesh, where sharp stone has torn
through his sleeve; it is bleeding pro-
| fusely.
Jasmine says nothing, but he sees
her lips culver. She makes baudage
of her own dainty little handkerchief,
and rolls it tightly round the wound.
then very gently draws down tho
sleeve over it, and lifts her face. but
with lowered eyes, to Enderby's.
"Does it feel any better?''
1T feels quite BETTER" he answers
with unnecessary fervor.
''Then shall we 60 on? I suppose
your machine Is broken?"
I'm afraid So" says Enderby, ris-
| ing.
He stands silent; then, suddenly put
ting out his hand. he takes Jasmine's.
"Jasmine-1 must tell you'll heard
what you said when you thought !
was unconscious. Did you mean 1t,
Jasmine?"
Again the soft color rolls up. and
the lips grow tremulous.
because I hope you did. Jasmine,
Jasmine! my own dear little girl! do
| you know why I came to Calder's
| Knowe just now? It was because
couldn't stay any longer away; be-
cause felt that life would be unen-
durable for me without knowing my
fate. came to tell you I love you,
Jasmine, love you with all my heart
and soul. Will you come to me dar-
ling-that is, II you can love meas
my wife,"
The pretty head sinks lower; the
lips grow more unsteady. Enderby
feels the little hand tremble and pal
plate.
II think I have loved you since
first met you, only didn't know it,"
he says, smiling. II knew it after
your father died, and when you came
here than I was sure of it. Darling,
I am far older than you, and I am.
perhaps, grave and quiet for my years;
but you have known sorrow, and I
don't think you wish for much gaiety.
Even if you do, shall try to give you
it; I shall try to make up, II can.
for the past"
"Oh, don't say more!" she cries
TREMENDOUSLY. And she lifts her face.
and he sees her eyes, glowing with
the light that was never on sea or
land" raised to his. you have been
so good-so good! Who in the world
ever did for another what you did for
him, and for me? But I am not half
good enough for you. I am poor
portionless girl, and don't know the
great world. You should have some
one clever and beautiful. who knows
society, and will help you ON, not him
der you"
The moors and roads are as desolats
and lonely as If there were no other
beings in the world but these two;
and Paul, with his uninjured arm.
draws her very close to him, and
holds her against his breast.
Dear little girl, you are the only
woman in the world I want for my
wife; isn't that enough? Jasmine.
you haven't said you love me, though
Do it now, won't you?"
The little murmur is breathed into
the pocket of his cycling Jacket; but
Paul is content. He bends and kisses
her triumphantly.
"You have made me as happy as .
king, darling! I shall never cease to
thank God for the strange event that
brought me across the Westminster
Bridge that night" To himself he
adds: "Ner for the instant that kept
me from taking reward against tho
innocent"
THE END.