Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1901-03-08

stlnct1vely; and her little white hand
seemed to steal forth to his again,
her arms to enfold him. What q
child she was! And yet-and yet
An irresistible impulse seized him to
be near her, to touch her hand, her
hair, and to pass within the electric
radius OF her presence again, Il but
for moment. He was her guardian
whether she slept or awoke.
A strange curiosity to be near a
sleeping girl. to enter further into
her life and absorb the sweetness of
its innocence, possessed him. She
would not know, she would never
know. perhaps; and why should he
not snatch from fate this ono brief
moment of happiness? A doubt as
sailed him and brought hesitation;
but with an impatient gesture he
threw aside the hesitation. He would
not let even himself doubt himself.
And 30 he came and stood above the
sleeper, and presently, entranced, he
kneeled and saw her lying there,
vague, dim and unacceptable, but .
girl asleep. Her face was towards
him upon the pillow and one hand lay
upon the edge of her bed. So quietly
did she sleep she seemed not to
breathe. He watched her until .
trsmor shook him from head to foot,
and never before experienced con-
fusion seized upon his mind. Instinct
lively he leaned above her hand and
touched It with his lips-lightly, rev.
erently. She sighed and spoke his
name, and, overwhelmed with sudden
dismay, he would have withdrawn, but
she seized his arms and cried out:
Light! light" And then, broken
": "Oh, sir, for the first time-I am
Il am-frightened!" He sank his
face beside her, overwhelmed with
shame.
1T is half-past three" he said, brok-
emily; X must soon say farewell to
you"
"oh, sir. will you not light the gas7"
Seeing that she still trembled, he
arose and went to his chair.
NO." he said, calmly. But sleep
on. I shall not disturb you again"
And then presently she came. and,
kneenng in sudden abandon before
him, placed her hands upon his shout
dsrs, her face close into his.
II shall not let you leave me think
Ing that I do not trust YOU" she said.
"oh. sir, kiss me now, my hands, my
hair. my lips if you will. trust i'm
plicitly! I trust you-yes, and
more, L"
Child, child. you do not know what
you are saying!" He covered his face
with his hand.
Child! No, woman! You do not
understand; it is you who are the
child. Listen. was not asleep when
you struck match and, turning your
face from me, looked at your watch.
I was awake, and l saw your face in
the glass across the room.'
you should not"
"Tt was an accident, and I thanked
God. for it has given me living mem
DRY OF the kindest friend since mother
died. 1t is not the first time, for your
picture is in the DOCTORS office. He
did not know that have hung over 1t
fixing it In my mind--many-many
times-oh. will You. will you say that
you wish to see me-? Have you NO
wish to remember me?"
Remember you? / shall carry with
me forever the sound of your voice,
the touch of your hand, the perfume
Of every curl upon your head"
but my face! Will you look upon
that? / release you from all you,
promises"
81 cannot! cannot!"
s"Oh, sir, think what it will NEAR
to me in all the lonely days to come
the memory Of you and the conscious.
ness that you carry in your heart
sometime the face of the girl who-!'
ut must not be. Remember your
husbands honor! You promised to
honor him. Is this the way?"
my husband! my husband!" she
| cried, half rising, you have said it!'
"Francesl Frances!"
"Ah, Francesl Say it all, Frances,
my wife"
Frances, my wife!" A passionate
CRY burst from the girls lips.
"Ies, Frances. your wife. The WON
an who loves you, who has loved YOU
from the day she saw your picture
and heard your story! Oh, he never
knew-he never dreamed it. Nothing
can silence those words: Frances
my wife l will look upon your face
and you shall, you shall see mine!
The matches-ah. they are here!"