Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-04-08
Only a 6lrt'e Love
By CHARLES GARVICE

brings in its train, gae laid her head
upon his breast md hiding her eyes
murmured-
Il love yOu!"
If the words meant much to him -
to him the man of the world before
whom many a beautiful woman mad
been ready TO bow with complainant
homage--if they meant much to him.
how much more did they mean TO heI
All her young maiden faith spoke
in those three words. With them aha
surrendered her young, pure LIE, her
unstained, unsullied nearI 10 nim.
,..n a passion as intense as his own,
she repaid him tenfold. For NOM
ent he was silent, his eyes fixed ou
the stars. his whole being thrilling
under the music-the JOY OF this SIM
pie avowal. Then he pressed her TO
him, and poured shower OF KISSES
upon her hair and upon her arm
%hich lay across his breast
IN, darling, my darling!" he muir
INJURED. rs 1t really true? Can I
dare | believe 1t: you love me? Oh,
my darling, the whole world seems
changed to mel You love me! See,
stella. it seems so wonderful that |
cannot realize It. Let me see your
ewes. / shall find the n there.
She pressed still closer to him. bat
he raised her head gently in his
yerv touch was a caress, and 1t was
as il his hands kissed her--and looked
long into The rapt, upturned eyes
Then he bent his head slowly. ami
kissed her once-hungriy, clingingly.
SteIlas eyes closed and her face
paled under that passionate caress'
then slowly and with little sigh she
raised her head and kissed him back
again, kiss for kiss.
No word was spoken; side by side
with her head upon his breast they
stood In silence. For them Time had
vanished, the whole world seemed to
stand still.
Half amazed, with dim wonder Il
this new delight which had entered
her life. Stella watched the stars ana
listened TO the music Of the river.
Something had happened to change
her whole existence, It was AS II the
old Stella whom she knew so well had
gone. and a new being. wonderfully
blessed. wonderfully happy. had taken
her place.
And as for him. for the man OF the
world. he too stood amazed. over
wheImed by the newborn Joy. II any
one had tod him that life held such
a moment for him, he would not have
believed IT, he who had, as he thought
drained the cup of earthly pleasure 70
the dregs. His blood ran wildly
through his veins. his heart beat
madly.
AT last" he murmured; this is
love"
But suddenly the awakening came.
With start she looked up Mt him ana
s,rove to free herself, vainly. from
his embrace.
what have | done?" she whispered
with awe-subdued voice,
''Donel" ne murmured. with a rapt
smile. Made one man happier than
he ever dreamed It possible for mortal
TO be. That is all"
All, moi" she said; Il have done
wrong! | am atraidl-atraid!"
Afraid of what? There is nothing
O make you afraid. Can you speak
of fear while you are in my arms
with your head on my breast? Lean
back. NV darling. now speak OF fear
Yes. even now" she whispered
'Now-and am so happy she
broke off to herself. but he heard her
So happy! Is it all dream? Tell
me"
He bent and kissed her.
is II dream. do you think? he
answered
The crimson dyed her face and
neck. and her eyes dropped
And you are happy he said
Think what must be, For man
love is deeper more passionate than
a woman's, Stella. Think what
must be-"
She sighed and looked up at him
But still It is wrong! | fear that
All the world VIII say that.
IAN the world'" he echoed, with
smiling scorn What have we to do
with the worldF We two stand out
side, beyond IT, Our world is love
is our two selves, my darling"
An the world" she said. "All!
what will they say?" and lnstinctiyeiy
she glanced over her shoulder ut the
great house with the glow OF iiga'
streaming from Ils many windows.
Even now now they are wondering
where you are, expecting, waiting for
you. What would they say If they
knew YOU were here with me-and--
and all that has happonedT"
His eyes darkened He knew bet
, ter than she. with al her fears. what
they would say, and alroady he Sas
! Drawing himself 10 meet the storm.
| but hO smiled to rt~assurc her.
They will say hat | am the most
fortunate OF men. They will say that
he gods have lavished their good
gifts with both hands--they have
gwen me all the things that you make
n much ". aud the greatest Of AL
thnes-the true sole love OF pure,
beau iful anEe)"