The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1908-07-02
CuApTEP w

on the sodden ground. Amber, picking
her steps delicately, not on the wet path,
but on the spongy moss that skirts 1T,
goes on her way through the almost leaf
less wood, her head a little bent and q
smile upon her lips that is half sweet,
half sad. and full of new wonderment.
The night gone by had been strange
one for her. For the first time in all
her curious girlhood. she had, for one
thing, lain wide awake as hour by hour
went by. thinking, thinking. and her
thoughts carried her far, and far, but
always back to one center.
That kiss upon her hand 1t had gone
from her hand to her heart and stayed
there. What did it mean? That is the
burden of all her thinking. Does he love
her? Can he love her? Her her 1t
is tremendous question, ard takes great
answering. A whole sleepless night long
lying with sleepless eyes working 1t
outs surely but a very short time te
give to so momentous. so wonderful, So
She hardly knows what sort of question
it is.
At breakfast, held in bondage still by
this worrying thought, she hardly dares
had slipped away to the eternal comfort,
and rest. of the silent woods. Here she
will work it out. Here she will be able
to think indeed
Softly, but with a little chill in il,
blows the wind. Now there are but few
leaves left to play with it. to make a
pretty fight, to shake their green and
tender pennons in its face with saucy de-
fance
Will she ever forget? All at once,
walking quietly through the woods, she
knows that she never will. She knows
that she loves him. Such knowledge is
an education in itself. The girl stands
quite still staring straight before her.
She loves him. and he loves her. She is
quite as sure of one as of the other. Her
soul seems to soar to heaven as this blest
thought enters into it and then all at
once, in the twinkling of an eye as it
were, it sinks TO hell.
To love him. to permit him to love
her, will mean ruin to him Sir Lucien
would not hear of a marriage between
them-and-Sir Lucien has it in his pow
er to disinherit him. Mr.. Everard had
told her that. And-and of course there
is something to be said for Sir Lucien.
She will be fair! Quite fair. A girl
whose father is accused of doing away
with very valuable jewels that in way
belonged to him, is hardly a girl one
would wish ones heir u marry. Unless
the jewels are restored. and her father S
name cleared of dishonor ali JOY and hope
in her life ere at an end.
1t is at this point of her sad reflections
that she lifts her eyes and sees Brian
her, She is conscious that she starts a
little at his sddden appearance, but go
ing quickly forward she gives him her
nand, which he takes and holds, staring
eagerly at her face.
Aloner' says he All the love for her
hat his wild untutored nesrt undoubted-
ly knows, does not prevent the touch OF
sarcasm that enters into his voice Not
even the handsome cousin TO keep you
company. Or. perhaps with sudden
darkening of his frov nirs brows, you
are on your way TO nleet him."
II have come out to meet nobody says
Amber coldly, and with glance of scorn.
I'm glad to hear it. l have been
waiting about the place for days in the
hope of seeing you"
"Wby should you do that? Why NOT
come straight to the house and ask to see
me? YOU" with little rush, as though
the thought is distasteful to her-"you
are my cousin"
with all that lot round you? No.
/ wanted to see you alone. You remem-
Der that last conversation l had with
your
"No." distinctly. II thought it wiser
to forget it."
"Your wisdom doesn't seem to have
helped you." says he with an ugly sneer.
Its hard to forget-isn't it? Does any
one forget, | wonder? | would to heaven
it weren't so hard, for then | might per-
haps be able to forget you. But cent,
you see. That's what it comes to.
can't put you out of my mind"
why do you talk to me like this,
Brian" says the girl very gently, when
you know that it is so useless!'
what / know" says he, his pale,
logged face now dull crimson, lis that
il shall not be useless. No. Mine you
shall be-"
Suddenly catching her by both her
arms, he compels her with brute force SO
to turn that a fuller light from the dull
sky falls upon her face
'.You think you love that fellow You
think that he loves you. / tell you, you
are a fool. Doubly fool"
Take your hands away, Brian" says
she at last, not angriiy. not nervously-
but with a cold courage, a naughty com
mand, that seems to go to his very soul.
He releases her instantly. "Of course
quite understand that you hardly know
what you are saying or doing" she goes
on: therefore / forgive you. and shall
bear you no ill-will." She lightly brushes
down the sleeves OF her coat where has
hands had held her. All the most violent
words Of contempt or anger she could
have showered upon him could not have
conveyed to him half so clearly as this
Sow and simple gesture the state of her
mind towards him. 1t is casting him
from her into outer darkness indeed!
''Ill-will from you to me! Why, am
the one who loves you You-are the only
thing I love on earth-the only thing !
ever have loved. You think that Captain
Adare will marry you, I tell you he
neither will nor can His uncle would
disinherit him if be did so. But love
you -
II am sorry" says she very kindly
very sweetly. but as he feels, finally.
..what do you mean?' cries he fiercely
BE sorry for Yourself When he show:
you plainly at che last, that his uncle's
thousands are more to him than a penni
less girl-a CIR, too, with the story of heI
fathers dishonor hung round her neck
as her only wedding commentaries hs
laughs. wildly, 'how will it be with yor
then?"
Listen to me- says she, her voice
vibrating with some hidden feeling. Lee
me speak. / tell you / shall not marry
Captain Adare. or any other man, unit
my fathers memory has been made clear
You alone can clear it, if indeed"-her'
she pales perceptibly-"you speak th'
truth" She goes nearer to him-her eyes
are burning Into his. rs it the truth
Brian? Is it? Why don't you answer