The Holly chieftain., 1901-01-11
II. B. nyelsb

I
more than Paul can stand. Suddenly
the warm color rushes back into his
face. his eyes open, and with an ef-
fort he raises himself ON his elbow,
his eyes devouring the fair young face
bent, hrst with pale agony, then with
sudden surprised and warm shyness,
over him.
| Fair it is indeed: for Jasmine Ge-
rard has grown to be like her name
white flower. with Just . slight
warm coloring to show there are life
and warmth behind the whiteness;
sweet, graceful-such blossom as
man might give all his worldly bliss"
to possess.
The childhood in the face is gone;
1t is woman's face now. tender and
earnest in its womanliness. And the
expression in the dark-gray eyes,, as
they meet his for one startled mo-
ment, and then drop away, is one
which thrills Paul Enderby. stunned
and shaken as he still is, through and
through.
"Jasmine!" he sighs. and, putting
out his hani. takes hers and holds it
my little .iasmine!'
The white flower now becomes a
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 l did not know you; and
tried to call. but it was too late. Oh,
am SO thankful it is not worse.''
She shuddered. Tell me what can
do for your"
Il shall stand up, and then we'll see
II there any broken bones. May I
lean on you?"
Paul puts his hand on the slender
shoulder. and stands up. shaking his
limbs like wounded lion.
My arm is bruised bit, think;
otherwise seem sound enough. Hal
10! what's this?' as drop or two OF
blood falls on his hand.
\ "oh, its your arm! Let me look
at IT." cries Jasmine, turning pale
again. "Sit down, and I shall try to
bandage It."
He does SO. and rolls up his sleeve.
There is an ugly jagged rent in the
flesh. where a sharp stone has torn
through his sleeve; 1t is bleeding pro-
fusely.
Jasmine says nothing, but he sees
her lips CULVER. She makes bandage
Of her own dainty little handkerchief,
and rolls it tightly round the wound,
then very gently draws down the
sleeve over 1t, and lifts her face, but
with lowered eyes. to Enderby's.
Does 1t feel any better?"
1T feels quite better" he answers
with unnecessary fervor.
Then shall we go on? 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-I 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 l hope you did. Jasmine,
jasmine! my own dear little Girl! do
| you know why 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 love you,
Jasmine, l love you with all my heart
and sonl. 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
pitate.
II think have loved you since
hrst met you, only didn't know IL"
he says. smiling. II knew II after
your father died, and when you came
here than was sure Of 1t. Darling.
am far older than you. and I am,
| perhaps. grave and quiet for my years:
but you have known sorrow, and
don't think you wish for much gaisty.
Even II you do. l shall try to give you
It; shall try to make up, II can.
I for the past
t'Oh, don't say more!" she cries
tremulousiy. And she Hits hsr facs,
and hs sess her. eyes. glowing With
'.ths light that was never on ~ or
land" raised to his. You have bsen
20 good-so good! Who IN the world