The diamond drill., 1901-05-18
CHAPTER II.-CoNTINUED.

CHAPTER ll.-CoNTINUED.
"This: In the hour / have been
here YOU have found an untrodden way
10 the heart Of Richard Somers. know
now that no woman was ever there
before you; none will ever follow you.
] may not be here TO give you my hand
Il do not know the circumstances that
surround you, or even If in winning
your sympathy am playing false-but
wherever You are, remember that my
soul follows, and / would keep guard
over you If | might" He spoke with
an earnestness and passion that dis
turbed and alarmed himself. Some
thing ike a groan burst from his lips
when he realized how far he had cpm-
mitted himself. and he sank back in his
chair. There presently she found him,
and resting her hand timidly upon his
arm. she said. gently:
What would you have me answer
you?" She was calm and confident
now. At first she had shrunk a little
from him. Her simple, confiding action
restored TO him his calmness
II would have YOU say al what hour
II is you are accustomed TO close the
eyes which look down upon without
seeing mine"
AT nine. But what is this upon your
lapel--a hower?'
"A white rose for our wedding"
With pretty show Of authority she
drew it from its resting place and
fixed II in her hair.
/. DO not flowers belong 10 the
Nbride?r
Wear it in memory of me- he said.
gently. but now ! am going 70 in-
sist that you take steps 10 preserve
those other roses which am sure
have bloomed for you. Have You a
dressing-room?
Yes, but ! am not leepy and
shall not desert You. Wait, Speaking
of the rose, | shall sing yon song
love very much-that is, II | can find
my guitar. All, here il Isl Now I'll
cit here-and you right fhere hut
wonder II | can ever play in e dark?
May I not have just a little light?
! won't mind"
"How easily YOU forget II is inn
possible. Sing as you are ! shall not
hear any discord" lie was astonished
at her swift change Of mood and a
new, glad note in her voice She sang
low and sweetly, with perfect control
OF her tones. the "Last Rose Of Sum-
mer." And then he understood bet
ter For in her voice he read that
th. soul and spirit OF an impassioned
woman dwelt in the slender frame
veiled by the shadows OF the room.
ii was silent Every heartache that
had been crushed out OF his manhood
seemed to have revived under the
magic OF a subtle tone, an indescriba
Bile. indefnable echo. II was a resur-
rection Of something that had died
hard within him.
"You do not like my singing" she
said, disappointed, when, waiting for
his praise. she found him silent and
thoughtful.
Your singing? Yes. But a mems
ory! Go to sleep now. Make yourself
comfortable and leave me TO keep
watch. Yet stay; will you not sing
over those lines again? To me they
are inexpressibly beautiful"
Standing in the doorway OF her
dressing-room, she sang the verse
through again softly without accom-
paniment, waited until she was as
sured that he would not speak, and
then passed thoughtfully within.
When she came forth, arrayed in her
wrapper, she paused beside him, puz-
Eled over his change OF mood.
al am afraid you are going TO be
lonely" she said.
sleep, my child, sleep; | shall not
be lonely-knowing you are there
perhaps am keeping you awake"
Eyes That is IL; you are keeping
me awakel"
"Well, am holding out my hands
and saying good night" she said.
He found and pressed his lips upon
them. He held them so tightly and
trembled SO violently she bent down
over him confused. One OF her curls,
loosened, dropped upon his neck, and
another across his cheek. The mingled
odor of her hair and the rose filled
him with a strange intoxication.
II am sorry II have distressed you
in any way" she said; you have been
kind, oh, so kind TO me. Good night
He still held her hands, his face
bowed upon them, his form shaking
with strange emotion. Good night,
she said again. IF / do fall asleep
and you are lonely-oh, sir, you hurt
my hands"