The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1903-04-24

Late one day Brandon had gone over
to this quiet retreat and, having select
ed volume. took his place in a seclud-
draperies. There was a cushioned seat
along the wall and a small diamond
shaped window to furnish light.
He had not been there long when in
came Mary. I cannot say whether she
knew Brandon was there or not. but
she was there and he was there. which
is the only thing to the point, and, find
ing him, she stepped into the alcove be-
fore he was aware Of her presence.
Brandon was on his feet i'm an in
stant and with a low bow was back
ing himself out most deferentially to
leave her In sole possession. If she
wished to rest.
Master Brandon, you need not go.
will not hurt you. Besides, IL this
place is not large enough for us both.
1 will go. I would not disturb you"
She spoke with a tremulous voice and
a quick, uneasy glance. and started to
move backward out of the alcove.
Lady Mary, how can you speak so?
You know-you must know-oh. beg
you But she interrupted him by
taking his arm and drawing him to a
seat beside her on the cushion. She
could have drawn down the Colossus
Of Rhodes with the look she gave Bran
don. SO full was 1t of command, en-
treaty and promise.
That's II. l don't know. but I want
to know. and I want you to sit here be-
side me and tell me. / am going to be
reconciled with you despite the way
you treated me when last we met
am going to be friends with you wheth-
er you will or not. Now what do you
say to that. sirT' She spoke with a
fiuttering little laugh of uneasy nom
assurance. which showed that her
heart was not nearly so confident nor
SO bold as her words would make be-
lieve. Poor Brandon. usually so ready,
had nothing ito say to that" but sat
in helpless silence.
Was this the sum total of all his
wise determinations made at the cost
of 80 much pain and effort? Was this
the answer to all his prayer. Lead
me not into temptationT He had done
his part. for he had done all he could.
Heaven had not helped him. since here
was temptation thrust upon him when
least expected and when the way was
so narrow he could not escape, but
/ must meet II face to face.
| Mary soon recovered her self posses.
sion-women are better skilled in this
i art than men-and continued:
II am not intending to say one word
about your treatment of me that day
over I'm the forest. although X was very
bad and you have acted abominably
ever since. Now is not that kind In
meT And she softly laughed as she
peeped up at the poor fellow from be
meath those sweeping lashcs. with the
premeditated purpose of tantalizine
him, I suppose. She was beginning to
know her power over him. and it was
never greater than at this moment
Her beauty had its sweetest quality
for the princess was sunk and the
woman was dominant, with flushed
face and flashing eyes that caught q
double luster from the glowing love
that made her heart beat so fast.
With the mood that was upon her
wonder Brandon maintained his sell
restraint even for a moment. He felt
that his only hope lay in silence. so hs
sat beside her and said nothing. He
told me long afterward that while sit
ting there in the intervals between hel
speech, the oldest, widest thoughts raj
through his brain. He wondered how
he could escape. He thought of the
window and that possibly he might
break away through II. and then ht
thought of feigning illness. and hun
dred other absurd schemes. but they
all came to nothing. and he sat ther,
to let events take their own course. q:
they seemed determined to do in spit,
of him.
After a short silence Mary continued
half banteringly: Answer me. sir!
will have no more Of this. You shall
treat me at least with the courtesy YOU
would show a bourgeoise girl"
"Ob. that you were only burgher's
daughter
"Yes, I know all that; but am not
1t can't be helped. and you shall an
swer me-"
There Is no answer. dear lady.
beg you-oh. do you not see
"Yes. yes: but answer my question
Am I not Kind. more than you de
serve"
Indeed. yes; a thousand times. Yor
have always been so kind. so graciou:
and so condescending to me that | cal
only thank you. thank you. thank you
answered Brandon almost shyly, no
daring to lift his eyes to hers.
Mary saw the manner quickly enough
what woman ever missed Ii. mucl
less SO keen eyed n girl as she-and i
gave her confidence and brought bacl
the easy banter of her old time man
ner.
How modest we have become
Where is the boldness of which W.
used to have so much? Kind? Have
always been so2 How about the frs
time / met you? Was ! kind then
And as to condescension. don't-don'
use that word between u.s."
NO" returned Brandon. who In hi
, turn was recovering himself; mo.
can't say that you were very kind n
first. How you did fly out at me an'
surprise me. 1t was so unexpected /
almost took me off my feet" And the.
both laughed in -mcmbering the seem
of their first meeting. No. l-can't sa.
your kindness showed itself yer.
strongly in that first interview. bu
|, II was there nevertheless. and whel
|. Lady Jane led me back your real M
, ture asserted itself. as 1t always does
. and you were kindto me-kind as oni.
you can be-"
That was getting very near to tn
sentimental - dangerously near. h
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