Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1907-12-13


III Have Been Told That | Was No
Longer to Force My Attentions Up
on Miss Gillis."
market. l beg some special distinc-
ton, some different classification in
your eyes,"
you are becoming quite hard to
please" her face turned partially
away, her look meditaative, "and-
and dictatorial; but / will try. You
are intelligent, a splendid dancer,
fairly good looking, rather bright at
times, and, no doubt, would prove
venturesome If not held strictly to
your proper place. Take 1t all in all,
you are even interesting, and-I ad-
mit-I am inclined to like you"
The tantalizing tone and manner
nerved him; he grasped the white
hand resting invitingly on the grass,
and held 1t firmly within his own.
you only make sport as you did
once before. must have the whole
truth"
"Oh, no; to make sport at such a
time would be sheerest mockery, and
would never dare to be so free.
Why, remember we are scarcely more
than strangers. How rude you are!
only our third time Of meeting, and
you will not release my hand"
Not unless must, Nadia" and the
deep ringing soberness of his voice
startled the girl into suddenly uplift-
ing her eyes to his face. What she
read there instantly changed her mood
from playfulness to earnest gravity.
"Oh, please do not-do not say what
you are tempted to-" her voice almost
pleading. II cannot listen; truly l
cannot; must not. It would make us
both very unhappy, and you would be
sure to regret such hasty words"
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 mind?"
"Yes-yes; hope so, yes; but It is
not for me; 1t can never be for me
am no more than child, homeless
wait, a nobody. You forget that do
not even know who am, or the name
ought rightfully to bear. will
not have it 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 | care nothing for all this. II is
you love-love forever. Do you un-
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 if from a dream, his
strong arms clasped about her, his
lips upon hers.
"You must net" she sobbed. 81
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.
Il read it in your face" he insisted
ut told of love-"
"Then my face must have lied
she answered, her soft voice tremu
lous, "or else you read the messag,
wrongly. 1t is from my lips you mus
take the answer"
"And they kissed me-"
IF so, | knew it not. It was b,
no volition Of mine. Lieut.. Brant,
have trusted you so completely; tina
was not right"
my heart exonerates me-"
II cannot accept that guidance"
Then you do not love mel"
She paused, afraid Of the impuls
that swept her on. Perhaps" tn
low voice scarcely audible, 81 ma,
love you too we'll"
"You mean there is something
some person, perhaps-standing be
tween?"
She looked frankly at him. Il d
mean just that. l am not heartless
and / sincerely wish we had neve
met; but this must be the end"
The end? And with no explans
TOM"
There Is no other way" He coul
perceive tears In her eyes, althougl
she spoke bravely. Nor can l e.
plain, for all is not clear to me. Blu
this know, there is a barrier betweeI
US insurmountable; not even the pow
er Of love can overcome It; and
appeal to you to ask me no more"
1t was impossible for him to doub
her sober earnestness, or the dept
Of her feelings; the full truth in he
, words was pictured upon her face
and in the pathetic appeal of her eye
, She extended both hands.
You will forgive me? Truly, thi
, barrier has not been raised by me.
He bowed low. until his lips presse
: the white fingers, but before he coul
Il