Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1901-04-03
CHAPTER U.-CoNrrSUEp.


This: In the hour | have been
here yoa 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
II do not know the circumstances that
surround you, or even if in winning
your sympathy / am playing false-but
NhercVer you are, remember that my
soul follows. and / would keep guard
over you if l might" He spoke with
an carnestness and passion that dis
turhed and alarmed himself. Some
thlng like groan burst from his lips
when he realized how far he had 1m-
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 little
FROM him. Her simple, confding action
restored 10 him his calmuess.
Il would have You say at what hour
1t 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 fiower?"
"A Waite rose for our wedding"
with pretty show OF authority she
drew it from its resting place and
fixed it in her hair.
DO not flowers belong to the
hride?"
Wear il in memory OF me-" he said.
gently. But now / am going to in
sist that you take steps TO preserve
those other roses which 1 am sure
have bloomed for you. Have you
dressing-room?"
"Yes, but | am not sleepy and
shall not desert you. Wait. Speaking
of the rose, | shall sing you. song I
love very much-fhat is. if I can find
my guitar. All, kere it is! Now I'll
sit here-and you right there-but 1
wonder if can ever play in the dark?
May not have just II little light?
] won't mind"
How easily yon forget. 1t is inn
possible. Sing az you are: 1 shall not
hear any discord." He was astonished
at her swift change OF mood and n
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
the soul and spirit of an impassioned
woman dwelt in the slender frame
yelled by the shadows of the room.
He was silent Every hcartache that
had been crushed out OF his manhood
seemed TO have revived under the
magic Of a subtle tone. an indescriba-
BILE, indcfinablc echo. 1t was n resur-
rection of something that had died
hard within him.
You do not Ike my singing" she
said. disappointed, when. waiting for
has praise. she found him silent and
thoughtful
Your singing? Yes But mem
DRY! Go to sleep now. Make yourself
comfortable and leave me to keep
watch. Set stay; will YOU not sing
ovcr those Lines again? 10 me they
sre incxprcs Sbly beautiful"
Standing ire the doorway Of her
dsessing-ro she sang the verse
through again softly without accom-
uaniment, waited until she was as
sured that bee would not speak. and
then passed tboughtfuly within.
Nhcn she came forth. arrayCd in her
wrapper. she paused beside him, puz-
1led over his change or mood.
II am afraid YOU are going 70 be
lonely. She said
sleep, my child. sleep; f shall not
De lonely knowing you are there"
Perhaps I am keeping YOU awaken
yes That Is IL; you are keeping
me awake"
We'll. 7 am holding out my hands
snd saying good night" she said.
FIe found and pressed his lips upon
them iIc held them 80 tightly aud
tremblcd SO violently She bent down
over him confused. One OF her curIs.
loosened, dropped upon his week. and
smother across his check The mingled
odor OF her hair and Tho rose filed
him with q strange INVESTIGATION
II am sorry f } have distressed YOU
in any way" she said lyon have been
kind. oh. so kind 10 me Good night "
He still held her hands. his face
bowed upon them. his form shaking
with n strange emotion. Good night. -
che said again. III do fan asleep
snd you arc lonely-oh, sir, you hurt
my hanjA"