Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1903-11-05
(Continued.)

Stuart, | love yOui" and twice she
repeated the sweet words, 81 love you.
/ love you"
His passionate kisses could no
longer be kept back, and they rained
upon her face and hair, until trem-
bling and alarmed. she strove to free
herself, and then he soothed her back
to courage again.
Forgive me, Joan, did not mean
to brighten you! There, one kiss more
and | will be content for a time But,
oh, Joan, If you knew how happy |
am"
Perhaps l can guess by my own
heart" she said, with innocent frank
ness. "Ah, how strange It seems !
And-and you have cared for me all
ihis t;me?'
YES" he said feryently; from
the first; from the very first, joan
My heart spoke plainly enough that
night; II said aloud, Here Is my mate.
But on | went like an idiot and a clod.
| would not listen! would not
believe, Fool that | was; tried 10
argue it down! But" He stopped
and drew the hood around her tender
ly, with an air of appropriation, which
made her thrill through and through
with nameless delight.
There was silence for a moment.
then she said. softly, as il she were
communing with herself:
II cannot understand why you
should care for me; you who have
seen the world. and have met so
many beautiful" She stopped, and
little shudder ran through her. a
cold thrill of maldenly jealousy. But
perhaps you have loyed--I am not the
first"
You are the first in my heart, the
first woman | ever really loved, Joan,
he said, answering her unfinished
question with the alacrlty of passion
eager to please and satisfy. "Tbe
very first! You reign alone queen of
my heart joan and you"
She looked up at him in simple faith
and truth and smiled a sweet, solemn
smile.
Il did not know until tonight what
love meant" she said softly.
Presently she started.
Il must GO" she said, reluctantly
almost sorrowfully, as Eve might have
spoken when the hour arrived for hcr
departure from her paradise.
He struck n match and looked at his
watch. and while the light burned
looked at her face with all a lovers
passionate hunger.
so soon!" he said 1--WE seem Ia
nave been here scarcely minute. Let
me wrap your cloak tightly around
you See!" and under the pretence
ne folded her in his arms for a mo.
ment Joan, tomorrow ! wifi come
Tor you, and we will come here again
stand on this very spot. and you shall
teli me once more that you love me,
How surprised Colonel Oliver and the
two girls will be! And yet. don't
mink they will" and he laughed with
quiet enjoyment.
Hou-you will tell them?" she said
falteringly.
I will not If you wish It. dearest -
he said, Let us wait until the day
after tomorrow. 1t will seem all the
sweeter, having our secret to our
selves
Yes. she assented with n great
uplifting of the heart. Until tho aav
after tomorrow. and they shall know
and she sighed family.
And you will meet me tomorrow
deareste" no said.
IheF had reached the skirts of the
village and the lights of the Elm,
shone ahead of them.
Yes. she answered. ''Where?"
Come to the stue by the park h,
said We shall he alone there. com,
early Joan. shall be there at eleven
and we can take a long walk. we tw
together and alone. And give me on,
parting kiss, Joan. Good night m,
darling-good night"
He held her in his arms for mo
ment, his lips pressed to he's. an,
then she slid from his embrace "lik,
moonbeam." fitted away from him
and was lost in the shadows.
He waited until he heard the cat.
shut behind her. then turned an,
walked toward the Void. his brah
still hard at work.
i will persuade her to marry m,
soon he said, "and the Void shall b.
made fit for her; there shall be music
and laguhter once more in the Of,
place. and all shall so as merry a.
marriage bells Oh Joan. Joan m,
simple. innocent darling. YOU hav,
made new man OF Stuart Villiars.'
And so, manufacturing good resom
tions as he went, he unlocked the doc,
and entered his lonely rooms to throw
himself in chair by the fire. ant
call up sweet vision that only few
moments ago nestled against his
heart.
II 1t be true that the road to he'll is
paved with good resolutions. how
sadly and with what infinite despair
must those who have reached the Dis
NAL Gates look back upoa the way
they had trodden,