Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1903-08-07

| DeVlllSn rough ROAD tn1S.
"Devilish. 1t is a mountain road"
"That's where we were too"
"Where who were?"
ooh, young lady and l some time
ago. l just happened to think Of it."
at could not have been pleasant"
"You never made a bigger mistake
in your life"
ooh, she must have been pretty,
them"
you are right this time. She is glo-
rious."
Pardon me. They usually are in
such adventures"
"By Jove, you're clever onew
"Does she live in American
"That's none of your affair.""
"Ohr' And then there was silence
between them.
"Inquisitive fool" muttered Gren to
himself.
For some time they bumped along
over the rough road, jostling against
each other frequently, both enduring
stoically 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 short time. He
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
81 think I'll see if the lantern is
lighted. Let's have it 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.
mo, no! You will ruin all! There
must be no light" cried the soldier, his
voice high and shrill.
"But we are out of the city,"
~ know! I know! But will not
permit you to have light. Against
orders. We have not passed the out
posts" expostulated the other nervous
~.
whats the matter with your voice?'
in it.
"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 mystified
81 don't believe mine ever broke like
that" he said speculatively. There
some time, regretting more and more
that it was so dark.
Gradually he became conscious of a
strange, unaccountable presence in
that dark cab. He could feel a change
coming over him. He could not tell
why, but he was sure that some ono
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 un.
deniable presence. A 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 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 he was scratching q
MATCH but as it fiared the body of his
companion was hurled against his and
. blaze.
ooh, why do you persist?" was cried
in his cars.
II am determined to see your face,'
he answered sharply, and with a 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
face. the other hand vainly striving to
pull the skirt of military coat over
q pair Of red trouser legs Below the
arm that hid the eyes and nose he saw
! parted lips and beardless, dainty
} chin; above, long, dark tresses strayed
: In condemning confusion. The breast
beneath the blue coat heaved convul
! sively.
The match dropped from his fingers
and as darkness fell again it hid the
soldier in the strong arms of the fugi
tiye-not soldier bold, but gasping
} blushing, unresisting coward. The 1.-THE
form Quivered and then became mo
tionless in the fierce, straining EN-
brace. The head dropped upon his
t shoulder, his hot lips caressing the
burning face and pouring wild, inco
: herent words into the little ears
> you! You" he cried, mad with Joy
ooh, this is heaven itself! Ny brave
l darling! Mine forever-mine forever
4 You shall never leave me now! Drive
? on! Drive on" he shouted to the mer
t outside, drunk with happiness. "We'l
= make this journey endless. know you
] love me now-I know it! Oh, shall
: die with joy!'
A hand stole gently into his hand
. and her lips found his in long, pas
s sionate kiss.
!, II do not want you to know! Ach,
i am so sorry! Why, why did come to
!, night? l was so strong, SO firm,
e thought; but see how weak am! YOU
dominate me; you own me, body anG
$ soul, in spite Of everything agains
g my will. l love you, love you, love
e your
Il have Won against the princes ant
Q the pou,ntates! was losing hope, my
9 queen losing hope. You We're so fal
away, SO unattainable. / would BRAY,
thousand deaths -,ther than los,