Evening star., 1909-06-30

Of the bough threw her of her balance.
Not in the least hurt, she nevertheless
lost her footing and fell. with an ex-
clamation of dismay. to the ground.
At her cry Caleb turned. Realizing that
he had knocked her down and fearful
lest she be badly bruised by the blow.
he sprang forward; and with a volley
Of loud self-reproach. lifted her to her
feet.
The grip of his powerful arms gave
Deslree sense of utter peace and pro-
lection. That and something more.
Something she could not-would not
analyze. Cnresisting she let her body
rest inert in his mighty grasp the frac-
tion OF an instant longer than was per-
haps really needful.
And in that atom of time the mischief
was made.
Conover was staring down at her in
eager solicitude; still begging her to
tellshim If she were hurt. She looked up.
and their eyes met. Hers were sick with
a love that transfigured her. And before
their gaze. Conover's heavy face went
blank: then filled with a light of wonder
and utter rapture that fairly frightened
the girl
His arms frightened about her in a
clasp that robbed her of breath-and Of
all will to breathe. She felt herself
crushed against the mans chest. and her
ecstatic kisses. Kisses wildly awkward
and vehement: those of man unused to
giving or receiving caresses. Kisses that
kfndled in the girl a swift bliss that
blnded-enthralled her.
For a moment Desiree stood moveless
leaning back Imply In the iron arm that
bound her to her lovers breast. His
kisses raned down on her rapt. white
face; upon her wide. starry eyes, her
loosened hair.
Then with a gasping murmur of joy
she could not put into words, she sud-
denly threw her arms about Conover's
thick neck and gave him kiss for kiss.
The rank scent of tobacco upon his lips
the bristle of a day-old beard--the ugly
face itself with its undershot jaw, its
square. crude massiyeness-all these
things were nothing. Behind them she
read and gloried in the love that blazed
in the Fighters pale eyes. That was all
she saw-had ever seen-would ever see
Whether for minute or for a century
the two stood clasped heart to heart,
soul to soul, neither could ever remem-
ber At last the great arms released her.
The triumphant love that shone in Como
ver's face was again tinged with a won
der that was almost reverence.
why I'm blazes didn't we know this
before?' he demanded, hoarse and shak-
ing.
Speak for yourself.' sobbed the girl
I've known it always. always. always!
Ever since | was a child. Every minute
since then. There's just been you, Moth
ing else counted. And-and you never"
Never cared?" he queried. Girl. I've
cared SO much it was the life of me. An
because II was tie life / lived n the
breath I breathed, / didn't even guess it.
Never once. Oh. it's like I'd been trav-
lin through heaven blin'folded. Why
didn't you tell me? Why wasn't II like
this two years ago? Dey. If I'd known
II I'd understood ! felt that way bout
you'd a-no, ! wouldn't. either. I'd a
KEEP away for fear OF breakin' my heart.
For it wouldn't a seemed possible you
could love me. Say you love me, girl''
he ordered, fiercely. Say it over an
over--a lot of times"
Love you?" murmured Desiree, her
sobs dying away. Love you?-Why--
With sudden passion of alteration she
flung her arms again about his neck.
straining him close to her. She could not
speak She could only press her soft, hot
face close-ever so cloSe-to his rough
cheek; and cling fast to him though
she feared he might vanish. dreamlike.
from her clasp.
(To be continued tomorrow