The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-06-05
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(C0ntfnued.) ss.
 As Ieonafd went through the pour try4yArd one of the roosters began s rrr,4v He threw a stone at It so ra srosv that had the aim been correct if would have been killed. It fan little way off and again began ieS triumphaht song: .x..,a.
 acockAa -aoodle-dooi Cock-a-doooie- doo-oo-oo." = xr.-.,..
 The day after her return from Hepiy Reu}e. stephen was walking m .no wood when she thought she heAFe slight rustling of leaves some way htnd her She. looked round, expecting sn zee some one; but the leafy path vas quite clear. Some one was secret 1v following her. A very short process of excursions pointed to the personality of the some one On the impulse or fhe moment she turned and walked raptdly in the opposite direction. AS this would bring her to the mousse Leonard had to declare his presence at once or else lose the opportunity or a private interview which he sought. When she saw him she said at once and without any salutation:
 sWhat are you doing there: why are you following mer
 T wanted to see you alone. I could not get near you on account of that in- fernal old woman" Stephens face grew hard
 con account of whomr' she asked with dangerous politeness.
 Miss Rowly; your aunt"
 sDon't you think. MT. Everard." She said icily, that 1t is at least an unpar- donable rudeness to speak that way, and to me of the woman love best In all the world?"
 asorryl" he said in the offhand way of younger days. T apologize. Fact is. I was angry that she wouldn't let me see you"
 Not let you see me" she said as 1T amazed. What do you mean2"
 Why, haven't been able to see you alone ever since I went to meet you on Caester HILL"
 ABut why should you see me aloneY she asked as If still in amazement '.Surely you can say anything you have to say before aunt" This calm es- frontery, as he designated it in his own mind. nettled him; with an unwisdom for which an instant later he blamed himself. he biurted out
 "Why, old girl, you yourself did not think her presence necessary when you asked mo to meet you on the hill"
 When was that" She saw that he was angry and wanted to test him; to try how far he would venture to go. He was getting dangerous; she must know the measure of what she had to fear from him.
 He fell into the trap at once. His debts being now paid, the fear which was his restraining influence was re- moved and all the fectoring side of the man. which was after all based on his masculinity was aroused. He Knew something of the value of whip with the weaker sex. These last days had made her a more desirable possession in his eyes. The desire of her wealth had grown daily. and it was now the main force in bringing him here today. And to this was now added the per- sona1 desire which her presence evoked. stephen, ct all times beautiful, had never looked more lovely than at this moment. There Is some subtle incon- ceivable charm in completed woman hood. The reaction from her terrible fear and depression of the earlier days. had come. and her strong, brilliant youth was manffesting itself. Her step was springy and her eyes were bright; and the glow Of fine health, &C., centuated by the militant humor of the present moment. seemed to light up her beautiful skin. In herself she was desirable very desirable; Leonard felt his pulses quicken as he looked at her. Even his prejudice against her red hair had changed to something like hungry dumlrhCiOu.
 And at the moment all the man in hirn---the natural man who is fierce fin his moments of sexual recognition, and strong, and assertive. and dominant, and merciless--asserted itself It was with half love, as he saw 1t. and half selK-assertion that he answered her question:
 'arhe day you asked me to marry you! Ohl what a fool was not to leap at such a chance! I should have taken you in my arms then and kissed you till I showed you how much I loved you. But that will ail come yet: the kissing is still to come! ohi Stephen, don't you see that love you? Won't you tell me that you love me still?l Darling!" He almost sprang at her. with his arms extended to clasp her
 "Stopw Her voice rang like a trum- pet. She did not mean to submit to physical violence, and in the present state of her feeling, an embrace from