Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-06-09
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and even gazed back after she passed it by,
pass on she did, and then as Burnham
breathed freer In relief ut his escape, he
heard the soft sounds in the parlor that
struck dismay to his heart.
Through the open easements. deep, mel
low, booming, the stroke OF the huge bell at
Jefferson Market came floating on the sum-
mer air, with the distant shock and roar
of the navy yard gun, telling the hour of
nine. At the sound, a tall form, manly,
athletic form, sprang from the sofa in the
farthest corner and a sweet voice said,
plaintively:.
"Ah, must you go?"
Cor was the answer. 'Editha-I-I
should be at the Metropolitan at this mo-
ment. named as the hour at which I
should join Capt. Winn. We go together"
Another moment and they stood in the
full effulgence of the light that streamed
from the globe at the foot of the stairs. and
there they paused, her hand in his, her
eyes gazing up into his that bent upon her
worshiping, and Burnham glared upon the
two in fascination. while his heart stood
still in dread.
TRY to reconcile him to what was my
bounden duty he heard fngraham say.
with one swift glance aloft. May God
soon restore him to you IN perfect health.
And now II must GO
And still he did not go, but with both
hands now stood clasping hers and looking
down upon her with devouring eyes, with
lips that quivered, trembled, thirsted for the
beauty in her exquisite faoe-and dared not;
duty, cold, stern, dominant, commanding
silence and suppression. Her eyes, her face
had dropped beneath the fire in his gaze.
Her ears could hear the grand throb of his
heart; her woman's wit had long since told
his story. and though she may have read
and known the scruples that stified the
avowals upon his lips she could not, would
not let him go until she heard it.
All on a sudden then, she threw back the
queenly little head, and her eyes sought
his, yelling, yelling over with tears-two
great crystal drops coursing down her
softly flushing cheeks, and the strong man
broke at sight of them. With one low cry
of "Editha" he flung her hands away.
clasped her, almost fiercely, to his breast,
and their lips met in one long kiss before
she buried her blushing face in his broad
shoulder and sobbed aloud In an ecstasy of
niili Cling grief and joy.
II had vowed to hide it Until had some
thing beside my love to offer you" he said,
before he tore himself away
Il want only that" was sher reply, and
SO they parted. s.
Yet she could not let MIN go without one
Gre look. A carriage stood at the curb,
long waiting for him. but she felt that be-
the windows for sight Of her. He. her knight,
whom she was sending forth. to do battle
for the flag they loved-he, ther conQuerOr,
whose magnetic presence, whose thrilling
oratory had filled her soul with pride and
admfration-he, her hero, who had dared
and suffered for her sake and her stricken
fathers-he, her lover, her Cwn true lover,
who had sought and striven to curb that
love to silence the cutlery of his strong,
brave heart until she-she had willed it
otherwise. She watched him with her soul
in her eyes, joyous. beaming, triumphant,
with delight that grew suddenly still and
cold, and found her shrinking back from
the railing, back among the Shrouding cur
tains where she hung, fascinated. What
what was that thing Ned Burnham had let
fall two days ago? What was it about his
recovery. Regis, being retarded by some
ones importunity-some girls visits?
There was girl, talking eagerly, earnest
ly with him now. The gas lamp threw its
glare on her piteous. pleading, yes tear
full face. His back was toward the house,
but surely his head was bent, his ear in