The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1907-05-09
CHAPTER NJ.

"HERE was a silence, for IL the
dazzled young man could have
spoken at all he could have
Il found nothing to say; and, per-
haps, the lady would not trust her own
voice just then. His eyes had fallen
again. He was too dazed and, in truth,
too panic stricken now to look at her,
though If he had been quite sure that
she was part of wonderful dream he
might have dared. She was seated be-
side him, and had handed him her par
asol in a little way which seemed to
imply that Of course he had reached for
It, so that It was to he seen how used
she was to have all tiny things done
for her, though this was not then of his
tremulous observing. He did perceive,
however, that he was to furl the dainty
thing. He pressed the catch and let
down the top tGmidly, as if fearing to
break or tear it, and as it closed, held
near his face, he caught a very faint,
sweet, spicy emanation from it like
wild roses and cinnamon.
He did not know her, but his timid-
ity and a strange little choke in his
throat, the sudden fright which had
seized him, were not caused by en-
barrassment. He had no thought that
she was one he had known, but could
not for the moment recall. There was
nothing of the awkwardness of that.
No; he was overpowered by the mira
Gle of this meeting. And yet white
with marveling, he felt it to be so
much more touchingly greater happi-
ness than he had ever known that at
FIRST it was inexpressibly sad.
At last he heard her voice again,
shaking a little. as she said:
81 am glad you remembered"
Remembered what" he faltered.
Then you don't:" she cried. "And
yet You came
"Came hare, do you mean"
"Yes--now, at noon"
"Ah" he half whispered, unable to
speak aloud. WAS it you who
said-who said: Remember! Across
across -
ACROSS Main street bridge at
noonv" she finished for him gently.
"Yes."
He took a deep breath in the wonder
Of it. Where was it you said that"
he asked slowly. WAS it last night"
Don't you even know that you came
to meet meY'
"I-came to-to meet-you"
She gave a little plying cry, very
year q sob, seeing his utter bewilder'
pent.
cit was like the strangest dream n
&c world" she said you were at
Ae station when l came last night
Tou don't remember at all?'
His eyes downcast, his face burning
aotly, he could only shake his head.
"Yes," she contifesd. 81 thought no
aae would pc there. for l had not
written to say what train I should
Sake, but when I stepped down from
the platform you were standing there,
though you didn't see me at first-not
until I had called your name and ran
to you. You said, I've come to meet
YOU but you said it queerly, / thought.
And then you called carriage for me.
But you seemed so strange. You
couldn't tell how you knew that was
coming, and-and then IL understood
you weren't yourself. You were very
quiet, but knew-I knew! So made
you get into the carriage-and-and'-
She faltered to q stop. and with that
shame itself brought him courage. H6
turned and faced her. She had lifted
her handkerchief to her eyes. but at
his movement she dropped 1t, and it
was not so much the delicate lowell
ness of her face that he saw then as
the tears upon her cheeks.
"Ah, poor boy" she cried. II knew!
I knew"
"You-you took me home"
"You told me where you lived" she
answered. Yes, took you home"
II don't understand" he stammered
huskily. Il don't understand"
She leaned toward him slightly, look
ing at him with great intentness.
"You didn't know me last night"