The Lamar register., 1902-09-17

1nlS WOulu give NllH IL SoupAS
hours of leisure, and secretly ne
longed for an opportunity to walk ana
talk with Constance.
Constance Dare looked unusually
lovely as his ravished eyes fell upon
her-it was as If some deep intuition
had caused her to wear just the colors
he had called his favorites in the days
that were long past, when they Two
wandered over the flower-decked veldt
or chased the timid sprirgbok in COM
pany.
The old life was appealing heavily
to Mark, and deep down in his heart
he had begun to question the expe-
diency of allowing such a foolish
scruple as his hatred for wealth in the
woman he loved to stand between him
self and happiness.
And when Mark had Joined the 9TH
ers in the theater where enchanting
gavotte followed the strains of ma
zurka and waltz, he had resolved to
take bold step if the opportunity
arose. n step that would forever give
him the right to defend Little Miss
Millions against the Vaccinations OF
those who lonSed to handle her for
tune.
His scruples must be crushed-she
needed his protection. lest she fall
into the hands of the fowler or fortune
hunter.
The desire grew within his heart to
walk with Constance.
When he proposed it she readily as
sented.
Deep down in her heart Constance
rejoiced. for her soul knew no other
lover than Mark Merrick. to whom she
owed her life on more occasions than
one.
A great yearning had always been
present in her heart ever since they
parted under the skies of South Africa.
torn asunder by miserable misunder-
standing.
She could never love any one else
it were folly to delude herself with
even a thought to that end.
So she went out. promising not to
stay too long in the night air.
Jones was seated near the door. and
looked little bothered when he saw
his comrade leave: but Mark in pass
ing assured him he had not forgotten
back ready to fulfill the DEGREES of des-
tiny inside of an hour
Marks hour had come!
Nothing but downright catastrophe
could have throttled the appeal that
was filling his heart to bursting.
The magical influence of the won
drous scene affected the two who saun-
| tered hither and thither in the semi.
tropical garden. gazing out upon the
sea, where the silvery stars were re-
flected upon each tiny wavelet that
rolled toward the white strand.
They talked of the old days. and
| Constance was so eager to revive tho
memories of that happy past it was lit
tie wonder Mark found himself forget
ting the barrier he had deemed SO
formidable.
He had much to say, for he meant to
humble himself before her and plead
his cause with all the fervor of his
heart.
It was spoken at last. and the ar
dent lover upon learning that his de-
votion was returned felt elevated to
the seventh heaven of delight.
Constance loved this man with all
the fervor of her being. and having
almost lest him once. she had made up
her mind not to allow any senseless
prudery to stand in the way should
it come to such pass-believing as
she did, it was those diamond mines
that stood in the way. Had Mark
failed to declare himself she had de.
termined to let him know the South
African holes Ia the ground must not
separate two beats that beat for each
| other.
Time sped all too quickly, as it
usually does when people are happy.
ITO be continued)