The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1909-03-25
CHAPTER xxxvl-continued.

ISibLiC ny llllIt III IutIT WdlhS anu
talks he CLEANED the story of the past
few years. She did not tell him ev.
e%rything, but he was able to read be.
tween the lines. He saw as clearly
as though it were laid out in a book
the different phases through which
she had passed-the early enchant.
ment and glamor, the thrill Of con-
quest, the delight Of being petted and
fattered, and then then the slow and
steady disillusionment, the growing
WEAKNESS and ennui, the reassertion
of her true self, the revolt against
shams and shadows, the longing for
simplicity and reality, the souls APP
peal for life in it's truest sense.
And while he carefully CLEANED all
this and treasured it up in his heart,
he unconsciously revealed himself to
her.
She had less difficulty in reading
between the lines, for once he had
opened his heart to her and confessed
his love.
Did he regret It? In all their walks
and talks he made no allusion to
those days. Was his love for her but
a passing fancy? Did he regret the
weakness hat betrayed him into
speech?
He had his ideal still, she knew.
That was limited at constantly in his
speech. He had beer redeemed from
a life of Incidence and usefulness by
an absorbing passion for something
outside himself.
She had been his first inspiration.
He had left her in no doubt about
that when he confessed his love. But
what now? Had she been only a
stepping stone to something more
worthy? Had he found in some 9TH
er woman his hearts desire?
She felt a pang of jealousy shoot
through her heart-the first she had
ever known. What right had any
woman to come and steal away his
allegiance from her? OF all the con-
quests she had made, he was the only
one whose love she wanted to keep.
Before her first season came to an
end she understood why it was she
had remained unmoved. Men had
battered her, fawned upon her, made
love to her, and yet her heart had
remained untouched.
She might not know what. love was.
She only knew that of all the men
she had met Clement Mawgan stood
head and shoulders above them all.
The man who could touch her heart
must reach his standard or pass it.
In those sweet bracing days, when
they climbed the cliffs together and
rambled side by side across the
porths of yellow sand, she felt that
he was q far greater man than when
she knew him first. Then he was
only great in promise; now the prom
Use was fulfilled. He had fought his
battle bravely, and In the fighting
had won his crown. Struggle and
conflict had brought into play all that
was best in his nature. The indolent
cynic had become a man whom any
woman could trust and reverence.
Was 1t love that possessed her at
last? Was this admiration for his
character, this desire to be in his
company, this ~futtering of the heart
when she heard his footstep, this un-
wonted thrill that ran through her
at the touch Of his fingers, evidence
Of the mighty passion that ruled the
world?
She was afraid to confess ever to
herself that she loved him. She had
a fear that her pride was to be pun
ished-that IN inflexible order had
decreed that she should receive meas
ure for measure. Once he had Of
fered her the treasure of his love
and she had refused it. Now. when
she desired 1t above every other
thing. he made no sign.
she made no attempt to conquer
him. used nc woman's wiles, never
obtruded herself on his presence. II
he wanted her company she was
ready to go with him. II he pre-
ferred to go alone she gave no sign
that she was disappointed.
The days sped away very rapidly,
and they grew quite unconsciously
more and more into each others life.
Esther smiled to herself frequently,
but she made no remark. She had q
simple and mistaken faith In what
she called the leadings Of Providence.
She believed, moreover, that these
two people were made for each 9TH
or. and that in spite OF dificulties
and MISUNDERSTANDING they would
come together sooner or later In the
hottest of all unions.
Clement fingered day after day.
loath to return to town. The inter-
Jude was so sweet that he had not
the courage to bring It to an end.
Never again could he hope for a time
of such rare enchantment. He felt
like q desert traveller who had found
q great oasis where he rested be-
meath the palms and bathed himself
In cold and living waters. and shrank
from facing the hot and sandy wastes
beyond.
Duty called him back to town, and
still he fingered. THE weather was
90 tempting" he told his mother. and
she encouraged him to stay.
Marion said nothing. She intend
ed remaining herself q couple of
months at least. but she would not