Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1903-06-24

1
a pair Of red trouser legs. Below the
arm that hid the eyes and nose he saw
parted lips and a beardless, dainty
chin; above, long. dark tresses strayed
in condemning confusion. The breast
beneath the blue coat heaved convul
sively.
The match dropped from his fingers
and as darkness fell again 1t hid the
soldier in the strong arms Of the fugi
tive-not soldier bold, but gasping
blushing, unresisting coward. The 1.-THE
form quivered and then became mo.
tionless in the fierce, straining en-
brace. The head dropped upon his
shoulder, his hot lips caressing the
burning face and pouring wild, fnco-
herent words into the little ears.
"You! You" he cried, mad with JOY.
"Oh, this is heaven itself! My brave
darling! Mine forever-mine forever!
You shall never leave me now! Drive
on! Drive onp' he shouted to the men
outside, drunk with happiness. "We'll
make this journey endless. I know you
love me now-I know 1t! Oh, / shall
die with joy!
A hand stole gently into his hand.
and her lips found his in long, pas
sionate kiss.
81 do not want you to know! Ach, l
am so sorry! Why, why did I come to-
night? 1 was so strong, so firm,
thought; but see how weak I am! You
dominate me; you own me, body and
soul, in spite Of everything - against
my will. love you, I love you, l love
you"
81 have won against the princes and
the potentates! I was losing hope, my
queen-losing hope. You were 80 far
away, so unattainable. would brave
thousand deaths rather than lose
this single minute of my life. 1t makes
me the richest man in all the world
How brave you are! This night you
have given up everything for my sake
You are fleeing with me away from all
that has been dear to you"
mo, no; you must not be deluded. II
Is only for tonight, only till you are
safe from pursuit. I shall 60 back
You must not hope for more than this
hour Of weakness, sweet as 1t is to
| mew she cried.
"You are going back and not with
me?" he cried, his heart chilling.
"You know I cannot. That is why
hoped you would never know how
much l care for you. Alas. you have
found me out! My love was made rash
by fear. You could never have es
caped the vengeance of Axphain.
could not have shielded you. This was
the only course, and dared not hesl
tate. l should have died with terror
had you gone to trial, knowing what
knew. You will not think me unwom
anly for coming with you as am. II
was necessary-really it was! No one
else could have But he smothered
the wall in kisses.
"Unwomanlyw he exclaimed. 1T was
by divine inspiration. But you will
come with me. away from Graustark
away from every one. Say that you
willw
II cannot bear to hear you plead, and
it breaks my heart to so back there
But l cannot leave Graustark-I can
not! 1t would be heaven to 60 with
you to the end Of the world. but l have
others besides myself to consider. You
are my god. my idol. l can worship
you from my unhappy throne, from my
chamber, from the cell into which my
heart is to retreat. But cannot, will
not, desert Graustark-not even fol
you!
He was silent, impressed by her no
bility, her loyalty. Although the JOY
ebbed from his craving heart, be saw
the justice of her self sacrifice.
81 would give my soul to see your
face now, Yetive. Your soul Is in youl
eyes. I can feel it. Why did you MOI
let me stay In prison, meet death ant
so end all? 1t would have been better
for both Of US. I cannot live without
YOU"
1--WE can live for each other, die fol
each other-apart. Distance will no
lessen my love. You know that it ex
lists. 1t has been betrayed to you. Cal
you not be satisfied-just little bit
with that knowledge?" she pleaded.
But | want you in reality, not in my
dreams. my imagination"
Zach, we must not talk like this
There is no alternative. You are to 60
I am to stay. The future Is before US
God knows what it may bring to us
Perhaps it may be good enough to give
US happiness-who knows? Do no
plead with me. 1 cannot endure 1t. Le
me be strong again! You will not b'
so cruel as to battle against me now
that | am weak. 1t would only NEAR
my destruction. You do not seek that!
His soul, his honor, the greatest rev
erence he had ever known were in thu
kiss that touched her brow.
81 shall love you as you command
without hope" he said sadly.
without hope for either" she sob
bed.
My poor little soldier" he whisper
ed lovingly as her body writhed under
the storm Of tears.
T-I wish-I were a-soldier" she
walled. He comforted her as best he
could, and soon she was quiet-oh, sc
very quiet! Her head was on his shoul
der. her hands In his.
How far do we driver" he asked al
last.
"To the monastery. We are nearly
there" she answered in tones fal
away.
1.-THE monastery? Why do we &c
there?" he cried.
"You are to stay there"