Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1906-12-07
CHAPTER XII.


to leave her mother in her present con
dition for even an hour, and sensitively
shrinking from the observation she
imagined herself likely to attract out
Of doors, she had, since the night OF
the tragedy refused to venture beyond
the precincts of the house Il was in
the garden she, therefore, took the exer-
else her mother considered necessary to
her girls health, and it frequently hap
pened that on such occasions she was
not alone, for from the back windows
of the neiChboring house it was pos
sible for Quinto Quave to catch sight
Of her black-robed figure moving over
the grass or under the trees, and to
Join her was no difficult task for one
who for years had enjoyed the uncere-
mo7ious entree to her mothers house
On this occasion he was walking be-
side her, a cricket cap on the back OF
his head, his hands thrust into. the poek-
cts of his tweed jacket, brown shoes
upon his feet.
81 wanted mother to come out here
in the fresh, ,bracing air, but she thought
it too cold" Veronica was saying. i
don't Snow what we should do II we
hadn't this dear, old quiet garden"
Il think it the jolliest garden in the
world. Ours is nothing to compare to
this" Quinton replied, looking into her
pale face, long, like her mothers, and
with something of the same wistful ex-
preston in her ray eyes.
"KNhv ?" she aSyed
ooh, I don't know; perhaps it is be-
cause | remember it so long" he an
swered, illogically.
But you must remember your own
garden much longer"
"Of course; but it has never been so
pleasant as this. What fun we used to
have here when l was a boy and you
were a mere child"
well, you were only in jackets and
big, linen collars, and on Sundays tall
hat that used to make me laugh when
| saw you going to church.
"And you had dolls and Skipping
""You used to skip, too" she said,
laughing at the comical picture he pre-
scented to her minds eye, he joining IN
her laughter.
do you remember the day fell from
that tree when l was getting the ap-
pies from the top Dough" Quinton
asked.
"And / burst out crying because
thought you were killed"
"You liked me then" he said shyly.
''You must remember / was only
mere child" she answered, smilingly.
"But you are not a mere child now
Veronica, and--and-"
"Don't-don't," she said, in low, agi'
tated voice
Then l used to dream Of doing the
most daring things in the world fol
your sake. used to wish you were
drowning, that might save you, or thai
you were being run away with by
wild horse that l might rush out anc
clutch at his bride with wrist o
steel, or that your house was burning
that | might climb into window anC
carry you out fainting in my arms
THAT was because you read boy
penny-dreadful stories" she replied, he
eyes looking away from his.
"Maybe the form of serving was sug
qested by them, but the same desire i
there still, you know, ! would do-any
thing for you" ,
perhaps you have done much al
ready; it was you who saw that man
the foreigner, on that dreadful night
and YOU were the first to tell the in
spector," she said, shudderingly
"You don't know how proud, how
happy it would make me If / could hell
in tracking the scoundrel."
81 think / do" she remarked, timidly
"Veronica," he began, in an impress
i've tone, do you ever think of me I"
81 see you so often, how can l he!
thinking of your" she replied, with teml
, nine evasiveness.
"But you know what | mean n
said, his dark eyes fixed on. her wit
an earnestness, felt rather than per
ceived. do you think of me when yo
don't see me?
Sometimes"
7 "And-and-" the lad continued, tn
: emotion he felt almost choking him, ID
+ you care for mel'
"You ask so many questions"
'What matter2 Answer this one an
I'll ask no more at present" -.
EYES," she replied, touched by NJ
earnestness, 81 care for you very much.
4 "You dol" he cried out, as if thi
; admission caused him the greatest SUI
s. prise, for by that strange, contradictio
which governs all true lovers he woul
depreciate himself in his own eyes !
y proportion to the force with which i
loved her. You really care for m
/ Who"
Don't say any more, Quinton," 81
pleaded, happy confusion visible in hi
face.
only this; that no matter what hal
, pens, / shall love YOU all the same"
always the same" she said, dreamil
= always. And when the time come
that l can support myself, then"
Look" she exclaimed, interruptir
him; "here is mother" .
Quintcn, raising his eyes, saw Oily
y Dumbarton standing on the balcony on
ls side the drawing-room window, t.
-. | taro RI yaybirh Naras7ica MAG than r,fruin