Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1908-01-18

Longer to Force My Attentions up
on ,.iss Gihis."
market 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 l viii try You
are intelligent. a splendid dancer.
/ fairly good looking. rather bright at
times. and, no doubt. would prove
/ yenturesome if not held strictly to
I your proper place. Take IL all in all.
( you are even interesting. and--I ad-
nit am inclined to like you"
The tantalizing tone and manner
nerved him; he grasped the white
I hand resting inviungly on the grass.
/ and held IT firmly within his own.
You only make sport as YOU did
once before. / must have the whole
truth"
"Oh. no; to make sport ar such a
time would be sheerest mockery. and
/ would never dare 90 De so free.
Why, remember we are scarcely more
than strangers. How rude YOU arel
only our third time Of meeting. and
you viii not release my hand"
Not unless / must. Mazda" 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 playfulnoss 20 earnest gravity.
"Oh. please do not-do not say what
you are tempted to-" her voice almost
pleading Il cannot listen: truly I
cannot; / must not. Il would make us
both very unhappy. and you would be
sure 90 regret such hasty words"
Regret and he yet chung to the
hand which she scarcely eudoavored
70 release. bending forward hoping to
read In her hidden eyes tho secret her
Ups guarded Am ]. then. not old
enough TO know my own mind?"
"Ncs-yes; / hope so. yes: but II is
not FOR me; IL can never be for me-
am no more than a child. a homeless
waif. nobody. You forget that do
not even know who l en-. or the name
I ought rightfully to bear. 1 will
not have IL So"
Nadia, sweetheart" and he burst
impetuously through all bonds of re-
ssraint her flushed checks the inspir-
alton of his daring. II will sneak
for care nothing FOR all this. II is
you love-love forever. Do YOU un-
derstand me. darling? I love youi I
love youl"
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 a dream. his
strong arms clasped about her his
lips upon hers.
You must not" she sobbed. Il
tell you no, l will not consent: I
VIII not be false 10 myself. You have
no right; ! gave you no right"
He permitted her 70 draw away.
and they stood facing each other he
eager, mystihed, thrilling with mas.
sion almost beyond mastery. she trem-
bling and unstrung, her cheeks Grim.
son, her eyes filled with mute an
peal
i read 1t in your face" he insisted.
1T told of love"
Then my face must have lied
she answered. her soft voice tremn.
lous, "or else you read the MESSAGE
wrongly. 1t is from my lips you must
take the answer"
And they kissed me-"
IF so. l knew q not. II was nv
no volition Of mine. Lieut.. Brant I
have trusted you so completely: that
was not right"
My heart exOnerates me"
Il 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 we'll"
You mean there is something
some person, Notwithstanding be-
tween?"
She looked frankly at him. 81 do
mean just that. ] am not heartless.
and l sincerely wish we had never
met; but this must be the end"
The end? And with no expIana-
tion?'
There is no other way" He could
perceive tears in her eyes. although
she spoke bravely. Nor can / ex-
plain, for ali Is not clear to me. But
this know, there is a barrier between
us insurmountable: not even the now.
er OF love can overcome Il; and
appeal to you 70 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 eve.
She extended both hands.
You viii 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"
ne said Il left my horse tied there.
VIII go and learn what It means"
She followed him part of the way
through the labyrinth OF underbrush.