Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-04-26


we were not replied. with sigh.
you think there is no -hope:"
+ '"There 10 always hope
She sighed. "And you have striven so
hard she said. desolately.
After a, little, while she laid her hand
on mine. you have given your life Tor
me-" she said. gently.
Il have striven for myself as much as
for you, signorina."
. AS I used the word I felt her hand
start. mot that-now." she murmured.
and Withdrawing her hand from where 1t
Law on mine, she slipped it under my
palm.
It was almost as cold as death. and
pressed and chafed 1t in the enort TO SCI
tho blood flowing again In the chilled
veins She smiled at this
You are very brave said.
II am not afraid to die. only-only
sorry" No more than a whisper this
And after a pause she 1e,, glanced up again
II am not 50 resigned as you. the
love of life was too strong In me. ana my
heart was in hot rebellion against the
fate which threatened US.
She sighed again and was silent for q
while. There is nothing more we can
dog" she asked presently.
Nothing. We can only wait-and
.Hope?' she echoed "Hope for. what ?"
THAT the storm may cease and we may
And after?'.' The question was asked
impulsively, and with a quick. movement
she looked almost eagerly into my eyes
did not understand. 1--WE must wait
to see If there Is to be any afterward, 1
replied dismally.
4. 1T am not sure that hope" The
words were spoken rather to herself tnan
to me. and presently she rose to her
knees and stretching out her other hand.
clasped mine in both of hers. regarding
yxyith ho look.
have forgiven me?' she asked
What should forgiven"
THAT after all 1 have thus kept my
vow and brought you to-your death;
"Oh. but have wronged you so. In
the night when death was SO near
thought of that wild VOW of mine II
was like q foretaste Of hell ITSELF l
vowed to cause your death and now
For Gods sake!" I broke in. 1 lifted
her hands and held them close. and her
fingers frightened In answer to the pres
sure Of mine.
For some moments we stayed thus, gaz-
ing each into the others eyes.
You do forgive me?" she murmureo
You love me, Masita ?"
With a smile and a long-drawn sigh she
yielded herself to me and drew her to
my heart and pressed my lips to hers.
You know now why do not fear to
on my breast. II only feared that II we
were saved we should be parted"
held her close-pressed to my heart.
needless now even Of the grim perils that
encompassed us, regardless OF the raging
sea and furious storm, absorbed by the
consciousness that my burning love for
her was returned. Love had stripped
death of its terrors, and all the fury OF
the storm could not rob me OF the intoxi-
eating delight Of that victory. We should
die together. And at the thought
strained her yet closer to me, as II defy
ing even the elements to part US.
love embrace. waiting for the end. too
wrapt in, this newborn delirfum to heed
aught that passed around U.S. And when
at length I dragged my thoughts away
and looked about us. uttered cry OF
fervent JOY.
Masita looked up hurriedly.
"See." I cried. pointing to windward.
where the sky was Frightening.
She followed my gaze. her face strained
and pent. -'You think there is hope?'
: 'I am sure. The wind is falling fast.
and IN less than an hour it will have died
away. We shall be saved"
! Her eyes clouded with doubt and turn
ing slowly she repeated her former
strange question. and after?''
I understood 1t now well enough and
smiled. I'VE shall ,live-for each other.
dearest whispered joyfully. as drew
The wind dropped rapidly. the waves
ceased to break. giving place to q rolling
swell. and we were soon out OF iu1me-
diate perik But our plight was still Geri-
iMs. We were adrift on the open sea and
helpless Presently Masita spoke Of 1t.
There Is no land in sight" she said.
1.-The storm has carried US far out to
sea. but as soon. az 1t is a little calmer
I'll get that rag Of sail on board and
make shift to set 1t somehow" I said,