The Washington times., 1907-04-21
CHAPTER XIII (continued)

'.Mope with the secretary" ex-
claimed Shirley.
Jefferson told her all about the letter
he had found on the staircase. ana the
Hon Fitzroy Bagley's plans for
runaway marriage with the Senator's
WealGhy daughter.
IT'S a godsend to me-" he said glee-
fn1ly. Their plan IS to get married
rsxt Wednesday. I'll see my father
On Tuesday; I'll put the evidence in
his hands, and don't think he added
EPn1ily. ''hs'n bother me sny more
about Miss Roberts"
so you're not going away n0wT'
said Shirley. smfling down At him
He sat I'D and leaned over towards
her.
7 can't. Shirley. I simply can't" he
replied, his voice trembling You are
more TO me than dreamed a woman
could ever be. realize II more
forcibly every day. There Is no use
hgbtlng against IT, without you. my
work. my life means nothing
Shirley shook her head and Rvertsd
her eyes.
Don't let rs speak OF that. JeT,"
she pleaded gentlv. It told you I did
not belong 20 myself while my father
was IN peril
But I must speak OF It." he inter
rupted. Shirley, you 90 yourself an
injustice as well as me You are not
Indifferent to mel feel that Then
why raise this barrier between us7''
A soft light stole into the girls eyes
All, Il was good to feel that there waS
some one TO whom she was everything
IN the world
Don't ask me TO beTtay my trust,
JEFF" she faltered. You know 7 am
not Indifferent to yOu-far from f.
Blu L."
He came closer. until his face nearly
touched hers.
I love yoU-I want you" ne muir
INJURED feverishly. "C4ive me the right
Ia claim you before all the world as
my future wife"
Every note Of his rich, manly voice.
vibrating with impetuous passion,
sounded IN Shirleys ear like a soft
caress- She closed her eyes. A strange
feeling of languor was stealing over
her, a mysterious thrill passed through
her whole body The eternal. newt
able sex instinct was disturbing. for
the first time a woman whose life had
been singularly free from such infiu-
ences. putting to flight al the caIcula-
tions and resolves her cooler judg-
ment had made. The sensuous charm
o. the place-the distant splash OF the
water. the singing Of the birds. the
fra GRANGE Of the trees and grass-aU
these symbols Of the Toy q life con-
spired 10 arouse thu love hunger OF
the woman Why. after al, should
she not know happiness ike other
women She had a saored duty TO per
form. IT was true; but would & be less
well done because she declined 20
stifs the natural leanings Of her
womanhood? Both her soul and her
body called out; Let this man love
you. give yourself 10 him. he Is wor-
thy Of your love"
Half unconsciously she listened to
his ardent wooing. her eyes shut. as
he spoke quickly. passionately. his
breath warm upon her cheek:
Shirley. 7 offer you all the devo-
ton a man can give a woman Say
one word that will make me the hap
piest or the most wretched of men.
Yes or no, Only think well before you
wreck my life. love you-I love you,
I viii wait for you, II need be. until
the crack of doom. Say-say you viii
be my wife,
She opened her eyes. His face bent
close over hers. Their lips almost
touched
Yes. Jefferson, she murmured. Il
do love YOU"
His lips met hers in long. pas
sionate kiss. Her eyes closed and an
ecststie thrill seemed to convulse her
entire being. The birds I'm the trees
overhead sang in more joyful chorus
In celebration Of the betrOthal