Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1906-07-24
COPYRIGHT BY As 8. s.
MCCLURE co.

"Indeed? Yes, pallor Is not unbe.
coming to you. 1t gives you an inter
esting look"
She rubbed the cheek next him with
the edge Of her rug until 1t glowed
scarlet. "There! she exclaimed In re-
sentiment.
"That gives you radiant look" he
remarked composedly.
Her eyes flashed. "You will make
me hate you" she retorted.
He smiled slightly, his eyes half sad.
II am trying to-" he responded.
She stamped her foot with lmpa-
tience. Then you won't succeed. l
will not hate you. Do you hear3 I
will not!
"Is 1t question Of willT
"In this ccse, yes"
"Do you hate as you choose-and
lover" he asked.
"I don't know" she replied. II hard.
" think l could hate you II I would,
despite your-your hatefulness."
"Not though 1t were q part Of wis
dom?"
"wisdom has nothing to do with
with what?" he questioned.
with hate"
"Nor with love"
"Nor with love"
He shook himself free from an lmag-
mary weight. passing his hand across
his contracted brow. Then 30 much
the worse for hate" be responded.
''and for love-
As she did not answer he spoke fierce
Iy. when you love. love a virtuous.
straightaway plodder." be said. Love
man because he is decent-because
he Is decent and plain and all the
things that the romancers laugh at.
Love fool. II you will. but let him be
a fool who goes to his office at 0 and
leaves II at 6: who Graves no more
exciting atmosphere than the domestic
one OF house girl worries and teething
babies. II you ever find yourself low
Ing a man like me, you had better
make for the nearest lamp post and
hang
Hush. she cried. her cheeks fam
Ing. "How-how dare you" Her
voice broke sharply. and she fell to
sobbing behind her raised hands.
my God," he said softly. She felt
his breath upon her forehead. and a
tremor passed over her. Then his
hands fastened upon hers and drew
them from her eyes. He was painting
like a man who has run a race.
She was looking straight before her.
A small homing bird alighted for a
swift instant on the railing near them.
scanning suspiclOusly the deserted cor
ner, and she knew that that bird would
be blazoned on her memory forever
after. Then she felt the mans lips
close upon her own.
"You shall love me-" he said, "and
right be damned"
She stepped out upon the deck. her
eyes shining. He met her mOOdily.
"Shall we walk up into the bewT be
| asked.
She nodded. .'This Is our last even.
Ing" she said. >"We will make 1t
long"
However long we make 1t. there Is
always tomorrow"
Her face clouded. "Yes, there ID to-
morrow" she admitted.
She fell into step with him, and they
walked the length Of the deck. Once
she lost her balance, and he laid bis
hand upon her arm. When she recov.
cred herself he did not remove 1t.
1--WE will 90 far up," she said. I'VE
will look straight out to sea and for
ret what Is behind u.s."
"Can we forget it?' he asked gloom
lily.
She smiled into his face. Il will
make you," she answered. "Put your
hands upon the railing-so-and watch
the boat as 1t cuts the waves. Is II
not like a bird? And see. the stars are
coming out"
A salt spray dashed into their faces
as they leaned far over. A wet WIND
blew past them. and she put up bel
hand to hold her hat Her skirts were
wrapped closely about her, and bel
figure seemed to grow taller In the
gray fog that rose from the sea. The
ethereal quality In her appearance was
emphasized.
He drew away from her. "You are
too delicate for my rough hands," be
said.
"Am Iy she laughed softly; then g
rising passion swelled In her voice. VI
should choose to be broken by you T.
being caressed by any other man.
His face whitened. Don't say that.
he protested hOarsely.
"Why not, since 1t Is true"
ut Is not true"
A half moon was mounting Into tn
heavens, and it lit the sea with a pat
Of silver. The pearl colored mist foat
ed ahead Of the steamer. futtering lik
the flmy garments Of water sprite
A dOzeh stars hung overhead.
"But 1t Is true" she answered. He
words rang clearly, with u triumphan
note. For time he did not speak. Il
the light Of the half moon she saw til
deepening burrows upon bis face. HI
hands were clinched.
"There Is time yet" he said at last
ITO withdraw a false play. Take you
love back"
She trembled, and her lips parted. "
cannot" she replied, "and ! woul
not"
He stretched out his arms a. II {
draw her toward him. and she faltere
before the passion In his glance. Thel
he fell back. what mess you ar
making Of your life" he said.
But his warming eyes had reassure'
her. 1.-THE mess is already made" Oh
responded.
"But 1t Ii not" he returned. Thel
hs summoned bis tagging force. IAN
It shall not b."