Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1901-02-23
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subordinate.
And so we went along. | did not
know what to do nor yet what to say.
A conflict was raging in my heart be-
tween shame and lOve-shame that a
woman had fought for me- and won
where | should have lost, love that
strove to spring from my lips in exulta'
ton. knew not which would have
conquered had l not espied the blood
On Gretchen's white hand.
"You are wounded" cried.
She gazed ut her hand as though she
did not understand: then, with little
sob and little choke. she extended her
arms toward me and stumbled. Was
ever there a. woman who could look on
blood without fainting? Gretchen had
not quite tainted, but the moon had
danced. she said, and all had grown
dim.
"Gretchen, why did you risk your
life? In Gods name. what manner of
woman are you and where did you
learn to use the sword! Had you no
thought of mew l was somewhat in
coherent.
mo thought of you" She drew the
back Of her hand over her eyes. mo
thought of you? l did it because-be.
cause did not-I could not-you would
have.been killed"
| was a man-human. loved her.
had always loved her. | had never
loved any one else. was a coward to
do what l did, but could not help it.
/ crushed her to my breast and kissed
her lips. not once. but many times.
How dare youw weakly.
"How dare |. Gretchen. dear Grct'
chem" said. Il dare because ! love
youl love you. What is it to me that
you have dishonored ME in the eyes OF
men? Nothing. love you. Are you
u barmad? care not. Are you con
spirator? | know not nor care.
know but one thing. love you.
shall always love you. Shall tell you
more? Gretchen. you love met"
mo. no. it cannot be-" she sobbed
pushing me back. II am the most
wretched woman in the world. Do not
follow me. herr Leave me; beg you
to leave me- | have need of the little
strength left. Leave me. leave me"
And she passed through the doorway
into the darkness beyond. | did not
move from where stood. | grew
afraid that it was a dream and that II
| moved it would vanish. | could YET
feel her 1.-THE. warm body palpitatina
in my arms My lips still tingled and
burned with the flame of hers. Ar
eXultant wave swept over me-. She
loved me! She had not told me so. but
| knew. She had put her heart before
mine. My life was dearer to her thar
her own. could have laughed for joy
She loved me! My love overwhelmed
my shame. engulfed it. Then
81 know YOU" said harsh voice a
my elbow. 1t startled me. and | wheel
ed swiftly. 1t was the leutenants
brother officer. 81 thought from what
heard of You that you were mar
worth trouble and caution. Ach, YOU
the man we have secured the country
for? | should not have believed 1t
To let q woman fight for him. AnC
she-She Is more than woman-she Is
goddess" with enthusiasm. "lf
was betrothed to her. I'd find her il
had to hunt in heaven and hell fol
her And what does she see in you?
He snapped his fingers derisively. %
warn you that your race is run. fol
cannot leave a railway station within
the radius Of a hundred miles. The
best thing you can do is to swim tht
river and stop in the middle. Tht
prince is at the village. and he shal
know. Woe to you. you meddler!"
Young man." said voice from owe
my shoulder from the doorway. "yol
should by right address those impcrti
nent remarks to me. am IIillars, th'
man you seek"
And | had forgotten his very OK
iStencc. What did he know? Wha
had he seen?
You may inform Count Won Wal
den" continued Dan. that Shal
await his advent with the greatest o
impatience. Now let me add that yol
are treating this gentleman with mucl