Waterbury Democrat., 1903-02-23


erything that is lovely, not only beau
ty, grace charm, but the crown OF wo-
nsnhood besides. You are so pure
my sight you are purity itself, purer
than the snow upon the mountain upon
which not even the wing Of the eagle
has ever cast shadow, and you are
as far above me as that same crest"
He was dreaming Of her again and
reading his dreams aloud, and, as be-
fore, she listened eagerly.
sSpeak to me, dearest" he said at
last, as if Just awakened. 81 love to
hear you speak.
.'Ah, with laughing water ningle
The love song of your choice;
Twill be but Swallowed echo
To the music of your voice.
1T enchants me. I'd rather hear 1t
than
"That's perfectly lovely verse,
Boyd" she interrupted. "Who wrote
it?'
ST did. "A poor thing, but my own {"
he quoted softly. you said was a
poet. I've written reams of verses
about you, but they do not satisfy me.
Nothing could say would measure up
to my standard of devotion to You. /
feel humble before you, unworthy Of
you, yet I aspire beyond merit or de-
sert because I love you"
mo, no; you exa1t me too muchr
cried the girl. II am nothing that
You say. I am not at all what you
think me. am nothing but an ordt-
rary southern girl who
sstsSr0 IS the queen Of my heart for
ever" he interrupted, takingsher handy
'fNo; don't draw itsaway." hescontin-
ued. ''Let me have this hour for my
own. Something tells me thatsE shall
not have many"
1t was useless. a,Wrong, foolish, vet
she let him retain 1t for Httletspacea
soon to be broken.
whats thaty' she said slowly at
last, drawing away her hand as her
eyes turned from him and for brief
space searched the shore.
"Where?' disappointment speaking
In his voice.
There! Coming along the road to-
ward Frederic's! A horsemanl Seei
He is waving togusI Now recognize
him. I'd know that gray horse among
a thousand. It's Mr.. Bob barrow.
He's shouting something. He has a.
message for us evidently. What can It
be? Some word from father, perhaps.
Come; let us go and meet him."
Gathering her skirts in her hand, she
ran along the wharf. tripped up the
stairs and reached her own horse just
as Darrow reined in his gray.
He had ridden as il pursued. His
horse was Tuivering with excitement
and fecked with, foam. As he was
jerked back on his launches by his
riders powerful hand barrow sprang
to the ground, tore his hat from his
head with his gauntleted hand and
cried out his message, Ills eyes were
shining; his fair face was crimson
with color; his voice trembIedSwith the
heavy purport of his tidings.
II went to your house, Miss Martyrs
he cried. .'They told mesthat you had
come riding here. How are you, Pey-
ton? Glad to see you back. You came
in the nick of time, old fellow" he cons
tinued, clasping the others outstretch-
ed hand. 1t was the first time the
friends had met for years. but barrow;
had time for no other greeting. at
knew you would be crazy to hear the
news, Miss Mary" he added, turning
once more to the girl, $50 I saddled the
gray here and rode like one possessed
to find you and tell you."
What is the news, Mr.. Darrow ~.
asked the girl eagerly.
South Carolina has gone out Of the
Union! The ordinance Of secession was
passed at Charleston today! This is
the beginning of the southern repub-
nc!' he cried exultingly. =
He waved his hat In the afr and
made the live oaks ring with a mighty
cheer, in,which the shriller voice Of the
girl triumphantly Joined. "a - -
A