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

"she Loves Me; She Loves Me Not"
70 was no claim OF military duty
which compelled Brant 90 relinQuish
Miss Spencer so promptly ~ the ho-
tel door but rather n desire 20 escape
her ccaseless chatter and gain retire
ment where he could reflect I'm quiet
over the revelations Of Hampton. In
this quest he rode slowly up the val
Icy Of the Bear Water. through the
bright sunshine. the rare beauty Of
the scene scarcely leaving the slight
est impress on his mind. so busy was
n. and so rrcoccupicd. He no longer
had amy doubt that Hampton had util-
lied bis Advantageous position. as well
as his remarkable powers OF pleasing.
90 ensDare the susceptible heart OF
this young. ConGfing girl While tho
man had advanced no direct claim. he
had said enough 10 make perfectly
clear the close intimacy OF their re-
lation and the existence OF definite
understanding between them. with
this recognized as a fact. was he JUS
tilted IN endcavoring 90 win Nadia Gill
lis for himself? That the girl would
find continued happiness with such
ment believe possible; that she had
been deliberately deceived regarding
HIS true character he felt nc doubt
That the girl was morally so far
above him as 20 make his very touch
a PROCLAMATION. and at the unbiddCn
thought of 30. the soldier vowed 90 op-
pose such an unholy contamination.
Nor did be. even then. utterly despair
OF winning. for he recalled afresh the
intimacy OF their few past meetings.
his face frightened IN memory OF this
and that brief word or shy glance.
All the world loves a lover, and all
the fairies guide him. AS the off,
GERS eyes glanced up from the dusty
road. he perceived just ahead the same
steep bank down which he had
plunged in his effort at capturing his
fleeing tormentor. With the sight
there came upon him the desire TO loi-
ter again In the little glen where they
had first met. and dream once more
Of her who had given TO the shaded
nook both life and beauty. He swung
himself from the saddle, tied a loose
rein 10 a scrub oak, and clambered up
the bank.
With the noiseless step OF a plains
man he pushed in through the laby-
rinths OF bush, only TO halt petrined
upon the very edge of that inner bar
rier. No Pigment OF imagination. but
the glowing reality OF flesh and blood,
awaited him. She had neither seen
nor heard his approach, and he stop
ped in peTplexity. He had framed a
dozen speeches for her ears, yet now
he could do no more than stand and
gaze, his heart in his eyes. And It
was vision 10 enchain, 10 hold lips
speeches.. She was seated with UNI
studied grace on the edge of the bank.
her hands clasped about one knee. her
sweet face sobered by thought. her
eyes downcast. the long lashes plain
~ outlined against the clear cheeks.
To draw back unobserved was lmpos-
sible, even had he possessed strength
OF will sufficient TO make the attempt.
nor would words of easy greeting
come TO his relief. He could merely
worship silently as before a sacred
shrine. 1t was thus she glanced up
and saw him with startled eyes. her
hands unclasping, her cheeks rose
coloTed.
Lieut.. Brant you here?" she ex-
claimed, speaking as II his presence
seemed unreal. What strange mir
acles an idle thought can work."
Thoughts. have heard" he re-
piled, coming toward her with head
uncovered, will sometimes awaken
answers through vast distances OF
time and space. AS my thought was
with you may be altogether to blame
for thus arousing your own. From
the expression of your face, / sup
posed you dreaming"
She smiled, her eyes uplifted for
single instant TO his own ut was
rather thought just merging into
dream. and there are few things in
life more sweet know not whether
1t is the common gift OF all minds. but
my day-dreams are almost more to
me than my realities"
First is was moods. and now
dreams" He seated himself comfort
ably at her feet You would cause