Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-11-20

| and white brow. Presently, however. either she gave more force to her efforts or he feared to offend her past forgiveness, for he released her and dropped upon his knees before her. z
 Sweetheart" he said, forgive mo my impetuosity. If I have been too forward, if I seem to have taken un-1 due advantage of this one moment allotted me alone with you, then let the adoration which feel speak in my behalf. The affection which felt for you when a little girl in Phila7 delphia, though you touched my heart then as none of your sex ere had be- fore, was but the gentle warmth of & candle beside the monday heat of my love for you now Jane, may I not carry you back to England with me to adorn my home, to be tended with my most jealous care?' f
 "Col. Bessemer, I''-Jane. 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-, sideration of the great honor you. have done me? There is Ae break fast bell," she added hurriedly, and with very evident relief; "we must hasten or my stepmother will grow, nervous" t.
 Bessemer rose and, holding her hands in his, scanned her face with, ! his keen eys. s'Time for, consider-| ation? An, sweet one, if your heart were filled 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 rapturel which feel awaken an answering glow in you? Surely it must be so., Then what need for waiting? for keeping mo 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 be so." He would have drawn her again within his arms, but Jane put up her hand in determined gesture.
 ''11o, Col. Bessemer, must have time to think I am deeply sensible of the honor you do me, but l am not so young as l once was, and |: realize fully what an alteration in my life assent to your request would mean. Before passing upon question 50 weighty, I think 1t scarce unreasonN able to stipulate for due considers ation."
 She spoke with dignity and firm ness, and Besseper, shrewd enough to know that such boise augured less we'll for him than girlish confusion would, felt the blood swirl hotly in his veins, while his eyes narrowed with fuller determination to conquer where conquering was made difficult. His was not nature to value highly that which came easy. Women all most as beautiful as Jane had come lightly to his arms and been lightly cast aside. This girl would be hard to win, and won, would be won for always.
 He bent his head and kissed her hands with appealing lips. "Ah be, loved, my jealous heart hath again betrayed me into an eagerness that merits your rebuke. l would not, have you think that I could refuse any request of yours, though it Is one which means for me many weary moments of uncertainty, now an Ruished by doubt, now consumed by fire of hope. Sweet one, may not pray that you will at least make the time of probation short? I am on my way to capture that brigand, Sumter. When that is accomplished, I shall return this way; then may not claim my answer?' .-
 They had reached the entrance to, the grape-arbor by now, and Jane's eyes viewed questioningly the pros pect before her--the bright garden, the rear and side of the great old mansion, the sweep of the fruitful fields to the east, the clump of woods walling in the west, This was home beautiful, luxurious, beloved home; and the man beside her asked her to leave it all for him. Surely much to ask: yet, with him close beside her; with his supplicating words in her ears; with his musical, persuasive voice; his forceful personality appeal. ing to her, it would not have been hard to have turned and given him her hands in complete surrender. The fascination he had wielded when she was a school girl in Philadelphia was still potent; but she had learned CO., quetry, coyness, it might be judicious- ness, since. She took her eyes from the landscape and brought them back to the Englishman.
 ''I cannot promise, Col. Bessemer," she said, ''but if can, I will have my answer ready-then."
 When the officers had eaten their fill they prepared with some haste for departure. Bessemer had little opportunity to do more than press Jane's hand ardently and whisper a. word of love in her ear before he flung himself astride his gray.