The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-04-28
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(Continued.l CHAPTER NV.
 "StOpi"

LII l 'Stop!'
 Under the shading trees the time | flew fast. It is ever thus in the sylvan | gIades where loves abides: '-. The halcyon hours with double Swiftness run And in the SplendOur of Arcadian summers
 The quicker climb the coursers of the sum-
 Athlyne and Joy sat in gentle rap | ture of happiness. She had made him draw up his cushion close to her so that she could lean against him. They sat hand in hand for a while, and then one arm stole round her and drew her close to him. She came yieldingly, as though such a moment had been or dained since the beginning of the
 world. Her hand stole inside his arm | and held him tight; and so they sat locked together. with their faces so close that their mouths now and again
 met in long, sweet kisses. More than once was asked by either the old ques- tion of lovers-which has no adequate or final answer: Do you love me?'- And at each such time the answer was given in the fashion which ruled in Eden-and ever since.
 Presently Athlyne, drawing Joy clos CT than ever to him. said: Joy darling there is something . want to say to your He paused; she drew him closer to her. and held him closer to her. and held him tighter.
 
 cd a little: he was under some nerv- ousness or anxiety. This woke the
 protective instinct which is part of woman's love.
 "I do.'' As she spoke she looked at him with her great gray eyes blazing
 He kissed her:
 And I love you. my darling, more than l have words to say. More than
 words can express. I am lost in you You ars my world my hope, my heav- en! Beyond measure l love you. and honour you. and trust you; and now that I feel you love me too My dear. . my deari the whole world seems to swim around me and the heavens to open
 Dear, go on. It is music to me-all muSic-that I have longed fori' Darling! It seems like sacrilege to say anything just now-but-but-
 You know love you?'
 'Yes." The simple word was strong CT than any establishment: it was of the completeness. the majesty, of sin cerity in it's expression.
 Then there is no need to say more of that now But before I say something else which I long to hear l in words. dear. for it's truth is already .'Dariing.' she spoke the word ling l eringly as though grudging that it's saying must enQ
 Before such time I must speak with l your father!" He spoke the words with gravity which brought chill to her heart: her face blanched sud- denly as does liquid in the final cry | stallization of frost Her voice was | faint-she was only girl after all l despite her pride and bravery-as she l asked: oh, I hope it is nothing. =. :" ' l Nothing. darling." he said as he
 stroked tenderly the hand that lay in | his-he had taken his arm from her waist to do it-'except the courtesy which is due to an old man and one other thing. small in itself-abso- lutely nothing in my own mind-which
 makes it necessary in respect to his | /. his :. his convictions that
 I should speak to him before =. .'' He stopped suddenly, remembering l that if he went on he must betray the | secret which he had wished to keep. 1 Not on his own account did he wish | to keep it. But there was Joys hap pineSS to be considered Until he knew | how Colonel Ogilvie would take the
 knowledge of his having introduced I himself under a false name he must ! not do or say anything which might | ultimately make difference between her | and her father
 Joy erred in her interpretation of his | embarrassment, of his sudden stop l ping. Again the pallor grew over her face which had under her lovers earlier | words regained it's normal colour More fsintly even than before she whispered:
 Ut is nothing I hope that would keep us. - He saw her distress and cut quickly into her question: NO, Noi No. Nothing that could ever come between you and me. It is only this. Joy darling. Your father belongs to another country from my own and an older generation than mine His life has been different, and the ideas that govern him are very master full in their convention. Were to neg lcct this I might make trouble which N-OJrld without wish part. come between us. Believe me, dear. that in this I am wiSe.' Then seeing the trou- bIe still in her eyes he went on T know well, Joy, that it is not necessary for me to justify myself in your eyes,. Here she strained him little closer and held him arm. and his hand harder but my dearest, I am going to do 1t all the same. I want to say some thing, but which I mustn't say yet, so that you must be tolerant with me if I say unneeded things which are still open to me. Truly. darling, there IS absolutely nothing which could possi- bly, come between you and me. I have done TO wrong-in that way at all events There should be no more diff ference between you and me for any thing that is now in my mind than there is between your soul and the blue sky above us; between you and heaven .'' She put her hand over his mouth:
 .'Oh hush, hush. dear. By the way what am I to call you-darling % For the moment he was taken aback- To give her his own name as yet would be to break the resolution of present secrecy: to give her a false name now would be sacrilege. His native Irish wit stood him in good stead:
 That is the name for to-day-darl- ing There can be none like that-fQr today We began with it. It took me ori its wings up to heaven Let me stay therefor to-day. For to-day we are true husband and wife-are we not?'
 Yes dear." she answered simply He went on:
 ''To-morrow we can be grave tomorrow: and then I can give you another name to use-if you wish it,''
 ''I do,'' sine said with reverence She accepted and returned, the kiss which followed. This closed the incident, and for a little space they sat hand in hand. his arm again round her whilst
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