Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1904-08-17

soldier son, of his courage, his de-
votion to duty, his popularity with
his brother officers. Jane saw her
fathers dull eyes brighten, she saw
the expression of patient suffering
give way to one of interest. and the
withered cheek tighten with faint
tinge of color.
Her heart went out to Bessemer
that he should have given the older
man those few minutes of pleasure,
and when, with the excuse of not
wishing to tire the invalid. he drew
her from the summer-house. she
walked with him along the garden
paths and entered the green and
purple labyrinth in the grape-arbor
towards which he directed their steps.
She put up her hand and plucked
some grapes for him. He took them
from her, and then. quick glance
around assuring him that the thick
screen of vines hid them from view,
he caught her hands in his and
drew her to him.
Jane" he cried, in the smothered
voice of passion, ",Jane, l love you.'
The girl struggled to free herself
but he held her close, while his hot
kisses fell upon her brilliant hair
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
Sweetheart" he said. forgive me
my impetuosfty. If / have been too
forward. If / seem TO have taken I'M
due advantage of this one moment
allotted me alone with you. then let
the alteration which I feel speak in
my behalf. The affection which | felt
for you when little girl in Phila
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 /
not carry you back to England with
me to adorn my home, to be tended
with my most jealous care?"
"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 /. May will you not
grant me a respite-time for con
sideration of the great honor you
have done me? There is the break
fast bell" she added hurriedly. and
with very evident relief: 1--WE must
hasten or my stepmother will grow
nervous
Bessemer rose and, holding her
hands in his. scanned her face with
his. keen eys. thine for consider.
alton? All, sweet one, if your heart
were iilled 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 rapture
which l feel awaken an answering
glow in you? Surely it must be so.
Then what need for waiting? for
keeping me 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
he So" He would have drawn her
again within his arms, but Jane put
up her hand in determined gesture.
"No, Col. Bessemer. must have
time to think. am deeply sensible
of tn. honor yot do me. but / am
not SO young as once was. and I
realize fully what an alteration in my
life assent to your request would
mean. Before passing upon question
So weighty.I think it scarce unreason-
able to stipulate for due consider
alton