Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1903-10-29
CHAPTER XII.
The Spring lime Of Love.

10 part and light that never shone
on land or sea" shone right into her
young soul.
1t was the first time that Joan ever
heard man tell her he loved her. It
was the first time the universal god
struck upon the panels of the doorway
OF her heart and a wild tumult filed
her being, tumult so rapturous that
it was akin to fear.
Joan, | love you" he murmured
| again, so low that his voice seemed to
be borne upon the wings of the wind
and straight to her heart. Il love
you! Have you nothing to say to me?
Have | frightened you? Forgive me,
dearest; did not mean to do so. I"
He paused, for the thought flashed
on him that he had not meant to speak
at all. Il would rather die than
Brighten you, Joan! But how could |
help speaking, meeting you like this
so solitary, alone, and friendless?"
/ Tt" she paused. 1T was pity
then?' she just breathed, so quietly
that he had to bend forward eagerly
to catch the words.
Pity?' he laughed. mo, Joan; It
was love! | am not a schoolboy, I
know my own heart! 1t was. It is
lovei l love you as dearly, as fondly,
as passionately as man can love!
Joan, will you try and love me in re-
turn You will not steal my heart
and Keep yours locked fast from mel"
Ills hand frightened on hers, and he
drew her closer.
Joan, will you not speak to ma9
why are you so silent? Why do you
look at the sea? Look at me. dear
est-one look, Joan! See, | am wait
ing!"
she turned her eyes, with a sweet
halfdeubtful, half-wistful expression
IN them, upon him for moment. and
the glance made the blood leap in his
veins
Well" he said, eagerly, almost
fearfully. What will you say to me
Joan? l say to you, 4 love you.' 1
ask you if you love me. Do you love
me, Joan?" he persisted, his voice
making music of her name.
The faint look of trouble came into
her eyes and grew more distinct.
Il do not know" she breathed. AS if
communing with herself.
You do not know" he said, draw
Ing long breath. "Ah, how can I
teach you to know, Joan? Listen to
me. DO you know why | know that [
love your"
Tell me" she whispered, not to
him, but still to the sea.
This way. dearest" he responded.
slowly, impressively. Because when
/ saw you first that night on the ter
race, when you turned your face I'D
10 mine in the moonlight, my heart
seemed to leap within me; and it was
as II | had known you for years. and
yet had been searching the wide world
ior you, Because when you had gone
all the beauty of the night seemed TO
20 with you and leave me cold and
lonely. Because from that hour vour
beautiful face haunted me awake or
asleep fioated beside me by day and
lowered over me at night, Because
Joan, feel that II you send me from
you, shall have lost all the Joy that
life can hold. and this life will he no
longer worth living This is why
know that love you."
Her breath came forth in short
quick little pants, the color rose and
waned on her cheeks, her eyes ex-
banded, then hid themselves behind
their long lashes; the music the hlI
meaning of his words fascinated. over.
whelmed, took absolute possession of
her; but she could not speak.
And you, joan" he asked. eagerly
humbly. shall | tell you how Won
shall know whether you love me a
little-just little? Yes? Were YOU
/ glad to see me the other night. or did
1t matter nothing to you that it was I
who stood beside you instead of some
other MANI Are you glad to see me
now? Would you be sorry If | said
Good-by,' and you knew that | was
going. never to return? Tell me,
JOAN"
Silent still. she looked out to sea.
watching a curlew as it rose above the
cliffs and scared over the down
/ NO. he murmured, you would not
care! Then, indeed. you do not love
me in the least. Joan. and you never
will. Love comes at first sight, or
never at all! You do not love me
Joan! And it is eood-by-and for.
ever and his hands grew loose on
/ hers
With a faint little cry she turned to
him, and her hand clasped his. but stuI
held him off,
Yes" she painted. 81 know, 7
love you! lift all you say is true
love youi"
He caught her to him. and she let
her head rest her head rest upon his
breast, but as his lips bent down IN
Kiss her, put up her hands to keen
them OF. in simple maiden modestv.
oh my darling.n he murmursS