Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1905-04-01

praise. but someone else was crossing
the lawn. with white hand extended.
palm uppermost. before her-some one
in white dimity. though Benton didn't
know it from damasi. and cared moth
ing what IL was. save that the waist
at least, chung TO the oueenly form he
was so thrilled TO see The yolumin-
GUS skirt was doing its best TO balloon
without the aid of a skeleton" for
crinoline. being the height of fashion.
was contraband OF war. scarce in the
south as cinchona; but these were de-
tails of which Benton took no note.
There had been a time when he fully
intended that. not so much for what
she had said in her wrath as for what
she must have believed of him. this
proud. imperious. wilful girl should be
made TO feel that he. too. could rebuke.
but at sight of her and the WEAKNESS
and lassitude with which she moved.
all this seemed vanished into the air
All that he row saw-heard-felt--
knew-was that IL was she. Rosalie.
who. only half a dozen rods away.
lovely as ever in her dark beauty, yet
pathetically changed. had thrown one
arm about that scrawny. grszzled. equine
neck. and stood softly stroking the
lean old head. softly murmuring TO the
unheeding ear and nesting the warm
velvet of her cheek upon that unre-
sponsive jowl-all [ shat sweetness
thrown away Upon a superannuated
steed that. ignoring sweets incOmpar-
able. nuzzled about her rounded neck
and arms in guest OF lump sugar. long
since a forgotten luxury. Rosalie's
back was towars the intruder in blue.
as. no longer hesi;ant. he went strid-
ing under the trees until almost with
in arms length of her Pyramus. the
while. regarding him with mute and
placid curiosity. with neither hope nor
fear. And here the soldier stood and
looked on hungrily a moment at price
less caresses. for any touch OF which
he could almost sell bis soul. and lis
tening TO low. murmurous words OF
tenderness and affection that. lavished
on him. would have turned grief or suf-
fering 10 instant ecstasy The sight
thrilled him. even while II fired his
soul with enNious greed And then
and then came further murmured
words. at sound of which his heart
stormed 81 i's heaving bars and fairly
leaped in mad delight and passionate
rejoicefui love. Gracious heaven. could
he believe his s,nsesi
Dear old fel'ow-dear old fellow,
Did anybody think ia let him be SOLD
to strangers. after all he'd done for
| me anC mine, Good old Pyramus,
Good old boy" md all this with pet
ting. patting hands. with that soft
cheek still nestled against the long.
brown. bony muzzlc. He'd do IL all
over again. wouldn't ho2 He'd bring
him Blackjack TO me-if only
hadn't" And then both write arms
were ciasped about that pltposterous
neck. and the dark tresses of the girl
were bowed against ara mingled with
the grizzled. tangled name OF her one
conhdant The lovely face was hidden
from the worsh ipping eyes OF blue. but
only for an instant In daring and de-
light and overmastering owe. with eau
ton thrown 10 the winds. and pride
and resolution totally forgotten. Ben
ton sprang forward. one low cry OF
Resale" on his lips seized: tore
loose the clasp OF tne cl.nging arms
and. despite amc.e and struggle anu
breathless protes'. just rs on that won
drous night AT tne old stone house ne
strained the slender. painting. swaying
form TO his breast. and just as he did
not then do. rained Kiss after kiss on
the velvet OF that flushed. tear-wet.
astonished cheek; yes dared even in
his strength and glory and delight TO
turn the now uriOus.y resisting head
upon his breast until he wild. dilated
eyes We're staring into his: until the
rosy, painting mouth was so close TO
his quivering lips that denial seemed
utterly in vain: then down he swooped
upon the prize. But with one superb.
supreme effort. she tore herself from
his embrace; stood one instant. pant
ing. speechless. with hands uplifted
against him. waving him back: with
eyes that flashed and commanded and
refused TO melt even az sight OF the
passion and pleading and bewilder-
ment in his face.
Il could not help It," he began.
you must know how lc e you. and
when ! heard
Heard" and up went the hands in
impotent wrath and protest How
dare you-listen? Oh, Don't | know
what" but then the torrent OF her
words was stemmed by the sight of the
changing light in the deep blue eyes.
and all In a second she saw them cloud
ing again as in pain and amaze they
had clouded the bitter night of her