Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1904-03-31
| GRAUSTARk
BY
GEORGE BARR McCUTCHE0N
Copyright By S. tone


"By Joye. you're a clever oueT
Does she live In American
That's none OF your affair"
"Ohw And then there was silence
between them.
'Tnquisitive foolF' muttered Gren TO
himself
For some time they bumped along
oyer the rough road, jostllng against
each other frequently, both enduring
etolcally and silently. Suddenly Lorry
remembered the lantern. II was still
lit with the slide closed when be threw
It on the seat. Perhaps It still burned
and could relieve the oppressive dark
ness II but for a short time. He
might at least satisfy his curiosity and
look upon the face OF his companion.
Leaning forward. he fumbled among
the traps on the opposite seat.
II think I'll see II the lantern is
lighted Let's have II a little more
cheerful in here" he said There was
a sharp exclamation. and two vigorous
hands grasped him by the shoulder.
Jerking him back uncereEaonlously.
mo. MOI You viii ruin ALI There
must be no light" cried the soldier. his
voice high and shrilI.
"But we are out OF the city"
II know! I knowl But I will not
permit you 10 have n light. Against
orders. We have not passed the out
posts" expostulated the other nervous
ly.
whats the matter with your yoiceT
demanded Lorry. struck by the change
In H.
MY voicel" asked the other, the
tones natural again. "It's changing
Didn't II embarrass you when your
voice broke like thntT went on the
questIoner breathlessly. Lorry was
now leaning back In the seat. quite a
little mystihed.
II don't believe mine ever broke like |
that" be said speculatlyely. There |
was no response, and he sat silent for |
some time, regretting more and more
that It was so dark.
Gradually he became conscious Of a
strange, unaccountable presence In |
that dark cab lie could feel change |
coming over him. He could not tell |
why, but he was sjire that some one
else was beside him. some one who was
not the soldier. Something soft and
delicate and sweet came into existence,
permeating the darkness with Its un-
denable presence. A queer power
seemed drawing him toward the other
end OF the seat. The most delightful
sensations took possession OF him. His
heart nuttered oddly. His head began
TO reel under the spell
"Who are your he cried In sort
OF ecstasy. There was no answer. lie
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
match, but as Il flared the body Of his
companion was hurled against his and
n ruthless mouth blew out the feeble
blaze.
"oh, why do you perslstT' was cried
in his ears.
81 am determined TO see your face"
be answered sharply. and with low
cry Of dismay the other occupant OF
the carriage fell back I'm the corner
The next match drove away the dark.
ness and the mystery. with blinking
eyes he saw the timld soldier huddllng
In the corner, one arm covering his
face, the other hand vninly striving TO
pull the skirt OF a military co over
pair OF red trouser legs. Below the
arm that hid the eyes and nose he saw
parted Hips and benrdless, dainty
chin; above, long, dark trcsses strnyed
In condemnIng confusion. The breast
beneath the blue coat heaved convul.
slyely
The match dropped from his fingers,
and ms darkness fell again It hid the
soldier In the strong arms OF the fugi.
tive not n soldier bold. but gasplng
blushing unreslstlng coward. The 1.-THE
form quiyered and then became mo
uonlcss In the fierce. stralning EN-
brace. The head dropped upon his
shoulder, his hot lips caresslng the
burning face and pouring wild, inco |
herent words into the little ears. q
You! Nou'' he cried. mad with 10y. 4
"oh, this is heaven itself! My brave
darlng Mine forever mine forever Z
You shall never leave mo now! Drive {
on! Drive our he shouted to the men
outside, drunk with happiness. wen
make this journey endless know you
love me now-I know Il! oh. shall
die with joy" &
\ hand stole gently Into his hand. .
and her lips found his IN n long. pas. l
sionato kiss
u do not want you 10 know. Ach, I d
am 80 sorry why, why did come to {
nlghti ! was so strong. 80 nrm, I
thought; but see how weak am! You :
dominate me; you own me, body and
soul, In spite OF everything - against s
my will. ! love You, love you. | love
Your |
81 have won against the princes and
he potentutesl was losing hope. my =
luccn losing hope You were SO far
away so uuattainablc. / would brave ,
thousand deaths rather than lose {