The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1908-07-03

Eate caught herself wondering why
Mike Peters had never acquired the
pleasant ways of Ricard.
After awhile he placed big, firm
hand under her chin and raised her
face so be could watch its every linel-
ment His dark eyes were luminous
and tender Els voice was persuasive
as Be sai.! sometL;A;. to he: n",: ;'"l
ag..:I il; tones p.eauins, and he eln-
phasized his words with soft flttle pats
on her warm cheeks.
Silently kate's head dropped to bis
shoulder. and he held her tightly for
the space of few moments.
Then he took her by the shoulders
gently. He stretched his arms at full
length and held her there. His hand
eolhe face was aglow with exultatlon'
Kate laughed Historically. She felt
herself helpless in his strong grasp,
and she expected any moment to be
gathered back with u mighty rush into
his embrace
Something dark, like a great mantle,
foated noiselessly in between them,
shutting each from the others view.
Ricard caught it and flung it of.
1t whipped back again, swept toward
Kate and partially enveloped her.
The girl was frightened and strug
gled to disentangle herself. Ricard was
helping her when blaze Of light from
an exploding rocket revealed what they
were pulling and tugging at.
1t was the trailing end Of big flag
moved by the shifting breeze.
Like one electrified. Kate ceased her
struggles. She snatched wildly at the
futtering bunting and held it captive.
Her face turned like marble. and into
her eyes there came a new. strange
expression as she stood motionless. her
white gown cleaning here and there
between the folds Of the flag
AS swiftly and silently as the cor
ing Of the colors enlightenment had
descended upon her.
Oblivious to the presence OF Ricard
and her surroundings. she VAS living
Pagain her commonplace existence OF
| the morning. She was seeing her home,
with its mean environments, and all
was being borne in on her mind swift
ly and with new significance.
again she saw Torrance saluting the
flag and heard his childish explanation.
Zone nation indivisible-one nation
iudivisible," repeated itself over and
over. Then it seemed to merge into
lone home indivsible" and ever in
Terrance's clear boyish voice. There
could be no ''home indivisible" If she
went with Ricard into his enchanted
world, as he had suggested.
With a cry that was half sob she
sank to her knees, burying her face in
the flag.
"TerranceI she whispered.
Ricard had watched the girl wonder
ingly. Her tears. brought him pityingly
to her side.
Don't! Don't do thatw he pleaded
tenderly. attempting to raise her.
Kate sprang to her feet shuddering
at his touch. She shook him of.
He was perpleXed by her action
"You are tired" he ventured and took
her hands in his.
She made no reply. Instead she tried
to free herself. Ricard, aroused and
angry, would not release her.
'You shall not shake me off," he said
sternly. "Tou are mine" And he grasp
ed her by the shoulders, hurting her
cruelty.
She did not speak, but met his eyes
unfinchingly. For the space of few
seconds they thus faced each other. He
searched in vain for the light that had
shone in her eyes but few moments
before. What he saw instead were