The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1903-10-08

soldier son. of his courage, his de-
votion to duty, his popularity with,
his brother officers. Jane saw her
fathers dull eyes brighten, she saw
the expression of patient suffering
give way to one of interest, and the.
withered cheek tighten with a faint
tinge of color.
that he should have given the older
man those few minutes of pleasure,
and when. with the excuse of not
wishing to tire the invalid, he drew
her from the summer-house, she
walked with him along the garden
paths and entered the green and
purple labyrinth in the graHe4arbof
towards which he directed their steps.
She put up her hand and plucked
some grapes for him. He took them
from her, and then, a quick glance
around assuring him that the thick
screen of vines hid them from view.
he caught her hands in his and
drew her to him.
Jane" he cried, in the smothered
voice of passion, Jane, / love you!"
The girl struggled to free herself
but he held her close, while his hot
kisses fell upon her brilliant hair
and white brow. Presently, however,
either she gave more force to her
efforts OF he feared to offend her past
forgiveness, for he released her and
dropped upon his knees before her.
"Swcetheart," he said, forgive me
my im~petuosity. If I have been too
forward: if l seem to have taken I'M
due advantage of this one moment
allotted me alone with you, then let
the alteration which I feel speak in
my behalf. The affection which I felt
for you when a little girl in Phila-
delphia, though you touched my heart
then as none of your sex ere had be-
fore, was but the gentle warmth of
a candle beside the MONDAY heat of
my love for you now. Jane, may l
not carry you back to England with
me to adorn my home, to be tended
with my most jealous care?"
col. B~essemer, I'-Janc passed her
hand across her forehead, as though
to smooth away perpleXity-"I scarce
know what to say, SO taken by sur
prise am I. May Twill you not
grant me a respite-time for con
~sideralion Of the great honor O
have done me? There is the break
fast bell" she added hurriedly, and
with very evident relief; 1--WE must
hasten or my stepmother will grow
nervous"
Bessemer rose and, holding her
hands in his, scanned her face with
his keen cys. thine for consider
alton? All. sweet one, if your heart
were tilled with love for me as mine
is for you, there would be no need
OF consideration. Tell me, Jane, do
not your pulse beat responsive to my
own? Does not some Of the rapture
which l feel awaken an answering
glow in you? Surely it must be so.
Then what need for waiting? for
keeping me in cruel suspense? Nay,
let thy sweet compassion plead for
me. Take pity on this lonely soldier,
and give him the boon of your re-
quitting love. Let him feel that when
he returns victorious to your side he
will find this priceless treasure await
ing him. Tell me, Jane, that it shall
he o. He would have drawn her
again within his arms. but Jane put
up her hand in determined gesture.
mo, Col. Bessemer, I must have
time to think. I am deeply sensible
of tn" honor you do me, but 1 am
not SO young as 1 one was, and I
realize fully what an alteration in my
life assent to your request would
mean. Before passing upon a question
so weighty, think it scarce u%nreason-
able TO stipulate for due consider
alton"