Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-08-10

II Have Been Told That | Was No
Longer to Force THy Attentions Up
on Miss Gillis."
Regret" and he yet chung to the
hand which she scarcely endeavored
to release, bending forward hoping to
read In her hidden eyes the secret her
lips guarded. Am l, then, not old
enough to know my own miud?"
"Yes-yes; hope so. yes; but 1t is
not for me; 1t can never be for me-
am no more than child, homeless
waif, nobody. You forget that / do
not even know who l am, or the nasne
ought rightfully to bear. l will
not have 1t So"
MAZDA, sweetheart" and he burst
impetuously through all bonds of re-
straint, her flushed cheeks the inspir-
alton Of his daring. 81 will speak,
for I care nothing for all this. 1t is
you love-love forever Do you I'M
derstand me, darling? love you!
love you!"
For an instant-one glad, weak.
helpless, forgetful instant-she did
not see him, did not even know her.
self; the very world was lost Then
she awoke as ii from dream, his
strong arms clasped about her, his
lips upon hers.
You must not" she sobbed II
tell you no! will not consent;
will not be false to myself You have
no right; l gave you no right"
He permitted her to draw away,
and they stood facing each other, he
eager mystified, thrilling with pas
sion almost beyond mastery, she trem-
bling and unstrung, her cheeks GRIM
son, her eyes filled with mute ap-
peal.
81 read it in your face" he insisted.
ut told OF love-"
Then my face must have He'd"
she answered, her soft voice tremu-
lous. "or else you read the message
wrongly. 1t Is from my lips you must
take the answer
"And they kissed me-"
"If SC, l knew it not. It was by
no volition Of mine. Lieut. Brant,
have trusted you so completely; that
was not right"
my heart, exonerates me-"
II cannot accept that guidance"
"Then you do not love me?"
She paused, afraid OF the impulse
that swept her on. Perhaps" the
low voice scarcely audible. Il may
love you too well.''
"You mean there Is something
some person, Notwithstanding be-
tween?"
She looked frankly at him. Il do
mean just that. am not heartless.
and sincerely wish we had never
met; but this must be the end"
The end? And with no explana-
tion?"
There is no other way" He could
perceive tears in her eyes, although
she spoke bravely Nor can ex.
plain, for all is not clear to me. But
this know, there is barrier between
us insurmountable; not even the pow
er OF love can overcome it; and I
appeal to you to ask me no more"
1t was impossible for him to doubt
her sober earnestness, or the depth
of her feelings; the full truth in her
words was pictured upon her face,
and in the pathetic appeal Of her eye.
She extended both hands.
You will forgive me? Truly, this
barrier has not been raised by me-"
He bowed low, until his lips pressed
the white fingers, but before he could
master himself to utter word in re-
ply, distant voice called his name,
and both glanced hastily around.
"That cry came from the valley"
he said. Il left my horse tied there
l will go and learn what it means"
She followed him part Of the way
through the labyrinth of underbrush,
hardly knowing why she did so. He
stood alone upon the summit of the
high bluff whence he could look
across the stream Miss Spencer stood
below waving her parasol franticaly,
and even as he gazed at her, his ears
caught the sound Of heavy firing down
the valley.
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