The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1908-09-05

M Drary was James den.
Her father had a better
" name for it. He called
AA it her web" but only
in secret conference. Graydon Ban
semer lounged there in blissful con
temptation of a roseate fate, all the
more enjoyable because his very ease
was the counterpoise Of doubt and I'M
certainty. No word Of love had passed
between the mistress of the web and
her loyal victim, But eyes and blood
had translated the mysterious, voice
less language of the heart into the sim
plest of sentences. They loved and
they knew it.
After leaving Rigby at the club Gray
don afoTS &c athe north side, thrilled to
the marrow with the prophecies of the
night. His heart was in that little room
off the library-and had been there for
months. 1t was the abode Of his
thoughts. The stars out above the cold,
glittering lake danced merrily for him
as he whlrled up the Drive. The white
carpet Of February crinkled and creak-
ed with the chill Of the air, but his
heart was hot and safe and sure. He
knew that she knew what he was com
ing for that %night-the first kiss!
James face was warm; her eyes had
the tender glow of Joy expectant; heI
voice was soft with the promise OF
coming surrender. Their hands mel
and clasped as she stood to welcome
him in the red, seductive dimness OF
the little throneroom. His tall frame
quivered; his lean, powerful, young
face betrayed the hunger of his heart
his voice turned husky. 1t was not as
he had planned Fer beauty-her mere
presence-swep, him past the prelimi
nary fears and doubts. His handclasT
frightened, and his face drew resistless
ly to hers. Then their hands went sud
denly cold.
''You know, don't you, Jane. darlingY
he murmured.
Eyes" she answered after a moment
softly, securely. lie crushed her In his
strong arms. All the world seemed t
have closed in about her, Her eyes
suffused with happiness, looked sweet
ly into his until she closed them witt
the coming Of the first kiss. II love
you-oh, l love you" she whispered.
IL worship you. Janel' he responded
II have always w%orshiped your
1t was all 80 natural, so normal. Thu
love that had been silent from the frs
had spoken. that was all-had put int,
words its untold story.
"Jane, l am the proudest being ii
the world" he said. neither knew how
long afterward, for neither thought o.
time. They were sitting on the coucl
In the corner, their turbulent hearts a
rest. ITO think, after all. that such
beautiful being as you can he min,
foreverI It's-why, it's ln~conceivable!'
"You were sure Of me all the time
Graydon," she demonstrated. Il trieC
to hide 1t, but l couldn't You mus
have thought me a perfect fool al
these months"
"You are very much mistaken, If yol
please. You did hide it so successful!
at times that l was sick with uncer
tainty."
"Well, it's all over now" she smiled
And he sighed with a great relief.
"All over but the-the wedding" b.
said.
"Oh, that's a long way of. Let's no
worry over that, Graydon."
"A long way Onf N%onsensel l won
wait"
"Won'tY
81 should have said can't. Let's see
This is February. March, dearestT
"Graydon, you are so much younge
than thought. A girl simply canno
be hurried through a-an engagement
Next winter"
Next what? That's nearly a yeai
Jane. It's absurd! I'm ready"
II know. It's mighty noble of yoi
too. But l just can't. dearest. No on
ever does"
"Dont-don't you think Pm prepare
to take care Of your he said, straight
ening up a bit.
She looked at his strong figure an
} into his earnest eyes end laughed S
adorably that his resentment was onl
passing.
II can't give You a home like this,
he explained. "But you know TIL Civ
you The best ] have all my life"
"You can't help succeeding. Gray
DON" she said earnestly every on
says that OF you. I'm nus afrai5- u
not thinking Of that. It Isn't the hcgs
l care for. It's the home You mus
let me choose the day"
2 Il suppose it's customary" he sal
I at last. June Is the month for bride