The Yale expositor., 1906-10-26

ESS9STORYGg
CHAPTER X-Continued.
copyright, 1905, by J. p. Lippincott Cob

POSSIBILITIES. But WDen Jney WeTe out
under the frosty stars he had the
good sense to walk her up and down
in the healing silence and darkness
for five full minutes before he ven
tured to say what was in his mind
When he spoke IL was earnestly and
to the purpose, not without eloquence.
He loved her; had always loved her.
he thought. Could she not. with time
and the will to try. learn to love him?
not as a cousin?
She turned quickly and put both
hands on his shoulders.
"Oh Cousin Billy-don't!" she fal'
tered brokenly; and he. seeing at once
that he had played the housebreaker
where he would fain have been the
welcome guest, took his punishment
manfully, drawing her arm in his and
walking her yet other turns up and
down the long platform until his pa
thence and the silence had wrought
their perfect work.
Does it hurt much?" she asked,
softly, after a long time.
You would have to change places
with me to know just how much it
hurts" he answered. And yet you
haven't left me quite desolate, Vir-
ginia. | still have something left
all I've ever had, l fancy"
And that is"
My. love for you, you know. 1t
isn't at all contingent upon your yes
or no; or upon possession-it never
has been, I think II has never asked
much except the right to be-"
She was silent for moment. Then
she said: Cousin Billy, l do believe
that you are the best mtn that ever
lived. And ! am ashamed-ashamed!'
What for?"
If | have spoiled you, ever so lit
tie, for some truer worthier woman
You haven't; you mustn't take that
view of it. | am decently in love
with my work-a work that not a few
wise men have agreed could best be
done alone. | don't think there will
be any other woman. You see, there
is only one Virginia. Shall we go
in now?"
She nodded, but when they reached
the Rosemary the returning engine
was rafting upon the open siding.
Virginia drew back
Il don't want to meet Uncle Somer-
vile just now" she confessed. Cant
we climb up to the observation plat
form at the other end of the carp
He said yes. and made the affirma-
tive good by lifting her in his arms
over the high railing Once safely on
the car, she babe him leave her.
She was shivering a little in the
chill wind sliding down from the
snow-peaks, yet she would not go in
until she had made sure. In little
time her patience was rewarded. The
huge engine came storming up the
grade on the new line, pushing its
three fiat-cars, which were black with
clinging men, On the car nearest
the locomotive, where the dazzling
beam of the headlight pricked him
out for her, stood Winton braced
against the lurchings of the train over
the uneven track.
God speed you. my love-" she muir
INJURED, softly; and when the gloom of
the upper canyon cleft had engulfed
man and men and storming engine
she turned to go in.
She was cropping for the doorknob
in the darkness made thicker by the
glare of the passing headlight when
a voice, disembodied for the moment,
said: wait a minute. Miss Carteret;
I'd like to have a word with you"
She drew back quickly.
is it you, Mr.. Jastrow? Let me
go in, please"
'In one moment. ] have something
TO say to you-something you ought
to hear"
Cant it be said on the other side
of the door? | am cold-very cold,
Mr.. Jastrow."
II was his saving hint, but he would
not take it.
mo. ii must be said to you alone.
We have at least one thing in com
mon, Miss Carteret-you and l. That
is a proper appreciation of the sue
cessful realities. L"
She stopped him with quick little
gesture of impatience.
will you be good enough TO stand
aside and let me go in?''
The keen breath of the .snow-caps
was summer-warm in comparison with
the chilling iciness of her manner;
but the secretary went on unmoved:
Success is the only thing worth
while in this world. Winton will fail.
but shan't. And when do succeed.
shall marry a woman who can wear
the purple becomingly."
at hope you may. I'm sure" she
answered, YEARLY. yet you will ex-
cuse me IL | say that l don't under
stand how It concerns me. OF why you
should keep me out here in the cold
to tell me about It."
Don't you? IL concerns you very
nearly. You are the woman, Miss
Carteret."
Indeed? And II I decline the
honor"
The contingency was one for which
the sutton seemed not entirely pre-
pared Yet he evinced a willingness
10 meet the hypothesis in a spirit OF