Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1903-11-07
NJ rREDERIC REDDALE
Copyright 1907. By J. p. LippInooss Company.


brother. why. Rossiter Kane could be
counted upon to play the sympathetic
part desired. So he deity took up his
cue, saying in answer to her last
| words:
ITO say that [ am highly honored
by your confidence but family ex-
presses my sentiments, Miss Dysart
Indeed, am glad you confided in me.
for it shows you do not regard me as
an utter outlander."
He paused, and her eyes met his ar
dent gaze. In that moment, in that
glance, the whole of life was changed
for these two.
With woman-like intuition she di-
vined his drift, and although up to
| that time she had not distinctly real
lied his passionate admiration of her,
or that she was being wooed, the in
stant's discovery of it was, if anything,
pleasurable rather than otherwise
But she did not-could not-reply, and
Kane took up the burden of his tale
Forgive me if J speak of myself"
| he said. my life has been a rough
one, and have had neither the leisure
nor the desire for the society of wom-
| en-until lately-until 1 met you.
Then newer and sweeter hopes arose.
From the very first moment 1 loved
you with all the strength OF my man
hood, and I determined, if might. to
| win the priceless treasure of your
love-"
He advanced a pace, and took her
unresisting hand in his. 1t was char
acteristic of the man that at this crisis
he INDUCED in no special pleading, but
went straight to the point
Stella's golden head sunk lower and
| lower, until he could not see her face.
But the little hand was not withdrawn.
Bending over her he went on:
Miss Dysart," he said ''all that 1
am, all that l hope to be, all that 1
have, lay at your feet, but they can
not outweigh my love. Will you be
my wife?''
There was no answer. She stood be-
fore him, nervously clasping and I'M
clasping her fingers, her head with its
aureole of sunny hair so dropped that
| her face was hid from view Kane
could not see her eyes--a glance into
their depths would perchance have ap-
prised him how to proceed, but he was
| forced to ''go it blind" as he would
have said concerning some mere BUSH
ness venture.
| ct know it looks like cool presump-
ton for man from nowhere in par
ticular to aspire so high, Miss Dysart,"
he went on in a deep undertone that
she alone could hear. 1.-The prisoner
throws himself unreservedly upon the
mercy of his judge I'm unworthy Of
you in every sense" he said, with that
complete establishment which the
strongest and most INSCRIPTIONS men
feel when in the presence of a pure
and innocent woman, "save that love
you, and you alone. never said that
TO girl before" he continued, as If
the thought had just occurred to him
that perhaps she might be hesitating
for fear that a man OF his years was
not as heart-free as he was foot-free
Cannot you give me a little hope?'
he urged. "Wi1 you marry me,
Stellar"
Stella Dysart was no mere chit of a
| girl in her teens. Men had made love
to her, and even proposed to her, be-
fore this, but never the right man.
From the first she had been interested
in Rossiter Kane. There was siren
uous air about him, the quiet insistence
of ''masterful man" who will carry
his point in the end, that appeals to
every masterless woman.
Now that the question of questions
was put and demanded an answer. she
was surprised to find that what she
had deemed mere friendly feeling and
interest really deserved a much near
er and dearer name. She found in
her own heart a smoldering response
to his appeal which leaped into flame
at his behest.
Quietly he waited for her answer.
But still the little head was bent. He
drew her to him, and caressingly tilted
her chin so that she must perforce lift
her eyes to his.
Her face was suffused with rosy
color, and her eyelashes were wet, but
surely they were happy tears, and it
was with smiling lips that she whis-
pered as she nestled to his side
IF you wish it-yesl"
wish it! Oh my darling, my
queen!" he exclaimed, and his lips met
hers in loves first sweet caress.
He was in no haste to be gone now.
but led her to a tete-a-tete and took
his place beside her.
Il am the happiest man in England"
he said ferVidly, devouring her with
his eyes. For answer she breathed a
happy sigh
Sir Arthur must be told, suppose
he said tentatively, after an inter-
change of sweet confessions and con-
| fidences.
"Oh, not yet, please" she pleaded
Not for few days. / feel so selfish,
enjoying all this happiness, when at
this moment poor Rick may be in trou-
| BILE or in danger!"
"Counfound your Rick" was Kane's
inward objurgation, but outwardly he
was all sympathy and interest.
I'VE must find him." he said, in
quietly confident tones. HE is my
4 hrOfhnr xnr