The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1903-08-05

7Plrdon me. The: usually are II
such adventures.
.sBJy Jove, you're clever one!'
Docs she live in American:
THAT'S none Of your affair"
ooh" And then there was silence
between them.
..Inouisitive fool" muttered Gren tc
himself.
For some time they bumped along
over the rough road. jostling against
each other frequently, both enduring
stoical!y and silently Suddenly Lorry
remembered the lantern. 1t was still
lit with the slide closed when he threw
it on the seat. Perhaps it still burned
and could relieve the oppressive dark
ness if but for q short time. nc
might at least satisfy his curiosity and
look upon the face Of his companion
Leaning forward. he fumbled among
the traps on the opposite seat.
Il think I'll see if the lantern IS
lighted. Let's have it q little more
cheerful in here" he said: There was
a sharp exclamation, and two vigorous
hands grasped him by the shoulder
jerking him back unceremoniously.
no, no! You will ruin all! There
must be no lightw cried the soldier, bis
voice high and shrill.
But we are out OF the city
81 know! I know! But will not
permit you to have a light. Against
orders. We have not passed the out,
posts" expostulated the other nervous
Il.
whats the matter with your voice|
demanded Lorr..::, struck by the change
in ii.
"My voice." asked the other, the
tones natural again. cts changing
Didn't it embarrass you when your
voice broke like that:" went on the
questioner breathlessly. Lorry was
now leaning back in the seat quite a
little mystihed.
II don't believe mine ever broke like
that he said speculatively. There
was no response, and he sat silent for
some time, regretting more and more
that it was SO dark.
Gradually ne became conscious Of Q
strange, unaccountable presence in
that dark cab. He could feel change
coming over him. He could not tell
why, but he was sure that some one
else was beside him, some one who was
not the soldier Something soft and
delicate and sweet came into existence,
permeating the darkness with its IN
deniable presence. \ queer power
seemed drawing him toward the other
end Of the seat. The most delightful
sensations took possession Of him. His
heart fluttered oddly. His head began
to reel under the spell.
''Who are you?" he cried in a sort
Of ecstasy. There was no answer. He
remembered his match safe and with
trembling. eager fingers drew it from
the pocket Of the coat he was wearing
The next instant lie was scratching q
match, but as it fared the body Of his
companion was hurled against his and
q ruthless mouth blew cut the feeble
blaze.
"oh, why do you persist? was cried
IN his ears.
II am determined to see your face, y
he answered sharply, and with q low
cry of dismay the other occupant Of
the carriage fell back in the corner
The next match drove away the dark
ness and the mystery. With blinking
eyes he saw the timid soldier budding
in the corner, one arm covering his
face, the other hand vainly striving to
pull the skirt Of q military coat over
q pair Of red trouser legs. Below the
arm that hid the eyes and nose he saw
parted lips and q beardless, dainty
chin; above, long, dark tresses strayed
in condemnins confusion. The breast
beneath the blue coat heaved conTul'
sively.
The match dropped from his fingers
and as darkness fell again it hid the
soldier in the strong arms Of the fugi
tive-not q soldier bold, but a gasplnS
blushing, unresisting coward. The 1.-THE
form euiyered and then became mo-
tionless in the fierce, straining en-
brace. The head dropped upon his
shoulder, his hot lips caressing the
burning face and pouring wild, lnco-
herert words into the little ears.
You. You..' he cried, mad with JOY.
"Oh, this is heaven Itself. Ny brave
darling, Mine forever-nine forever.
You shall never leave me now. Drive
on. Drive on he shouted to the men
outsidcedrunk with happiness. We'll
make this journey endless. know you
love nc now-I know it. Oh, I shall
die with joy
4 hand stole gently into his hand
and her lips found his in long, pas
sionate kiss.
~ do not want you to know. Ach,
am so sorry. Why, why did come TO-
night: I was so strong, so frra,
thought; but see how weak I am! You
dominate me; you own me, body anc
soul, in spite Of everything -agalns1
my will. l love you, love you, l love
YOU
Il have Won against the princes anc
the potentates: I was losing hope, my
oueen-losing hope You were so fal
away, so unattainablc. would brave
a thousand deaths rather than lose
go ~ s>S S5
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