The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1904-03-09

"Does she live in America?"
"That's none of your affair"
"Oh!" And then there was silence
between them.
"InQuisitive FOOL" muttered Gren to
himself.
For some time they bumped along
over the rough road, jostling against
each other frequently, both enduring
stoically and silently. Suddenly Lorry
remembered the lantern. 1t was still
lit with the slide closed when he threw
1t III the seat. Perhaps it still burned
and could relieve the oppressive dark
ness IL but for II short time. He
might ut least satisfy his curiosity and
look upon the face of his companion.
Leaning forward, he fumbled among
the traps on the opposite seat.
~ think I'll see if the lantern is
lighted. Let's have it n little more
cheerful in here" he said. There was
n sharp exclamation, and two vigorous
hands grasped him by the shoulder,
Jerking him back unccrcmoniously.
mo, no! You will ruin all! There
must be no light" cried the soldier, his
voice high and shrill.
"But we are out of the city"
~ know! / know! But / will not
permit YOU to have n light. Against
orders. We have not passed ~" out
posts" cSpostulated the other
ly.
"What's the matter with your voicc?"
demanded Lorry, struck by the change
in it.
"My voice." asked the other, the
tones natural again. Its changing.
Didn't it cmbarrass you when your
voice broke like tlatI" went on the
Questioncr brcathlcssly. Lorry was
now leaning back in the scat, quite a
little mystificd.
al don't believe mine ever broke like
that" he said spcculativcly. There
was no response, and he sat silent for
some time, rcgretting more and more
hat it was so dark.
Gradually he became conscious of q
strange, u~nnccountablc presence in
that dark cab. He could feel Il change
coming over him. He could not tell
why, but he was sure that some m
else was beside him, some one who was
not the soldier. Something soft and
delicate and sweet came into existence,
pcrmeating the darkness with its un-
dcniable presence, y queer power
seemed drawing him toward the other
end Of the seat. The most delightful
sensations took possession of him. His
heart duttcred oddly, His head began
to reel under the spell.
"Who are you:' he cried in a sort
of ecstasy. There was no answer. He
remembered his match safe and with
trembling, eager fingers drew it from
the pocket Of the coat he was wearing.
The next instant he was scratching a
match, but as 1t Jared the body of his
companion was hurled against his and
n ruthless mouth blew out the feeble
blaze.
"Oh, why do you pcrslst2" was cried
In his ears.
81 am determined to see your face"
he answered sharply, and with Il low
cry Of dismay the other occupant of
the carriage fell back in the corner
The next match drove away tho dark
ness and the mystery. With blinking
eyes he saw the timld soldier budding
In the corner, one arm covering his
face, the other hand vainly striving to
pull the skirt of 4 military coat over
n pair of red trouscr legs. Below the
arm that hid the eyes and nose he saw
parted lips and n ~bcardless, dainty
chin; above, long, dark trcsses straycd
In condcmning confusion. The breast
beneath the blue coat heaved convul-
sivcly.
Thn match 1tpYnnI fnnr, Lite ~.4
and rs darkness fell again 1t hid the
soldier in the strong arms of the fugi-
tive-not n soldier bold, but a gasping,
blushing, unrcsisting 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 carcssing the
burning face and pouring wild, inco-
herent words into the little ears.
"You! Your lie cried, mad with joy.
ooh, this is heaven itself! My brave
darling! Mine forever-mine forever!
You shall never leave me now! Drive
on! Drive on" he shouted to the men
outside, drunk with happiness. "Wcll
make this journey endless. | Anow YOU
love me now-I know ii! Oh, / shall
die with joy!'
A hand stole gently into his hand,
and her lips found his in n long, pas
| sionatc kiss.
~ do not want you TO know! .Ach, /
am so sorry! Why, why did | come to-.
night? / was so strong. so firm. /
thought; but see how weak am! You
dominate me; you own me-, body and
soul, in spite Of everything against
my will. i love you, | love YOU. | love
you!"
II have Won against The princes and
the potcntatcs! / was losing hope, my
quecn-losing hope. You were SO far
away, so unattainablc. l would brave
a thousand deaths rather than lose
-,
W&E&&3 T