Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1909-04-28

lie WIS Struck speechIess, Tor me
vision that met his eyes was that
which he had seen one bllthe spring
morning three months before, but to-
night there was no shawl to conceal
her swectly rounded neck and shout
ders. whose wilderness was startling
against the black Of the ballroom
gown. The slim gold chain hung
around her neck. and her hair was
piled high, ms before. He noted every
smallest detail as she stood there walt
ing for him to speak, forgetful Of ev-
crything else.
She had put on the gown again to
see IL perchance there might be some
mark OF her blood or breed that had
escaped her previous scrutiny, and, as
there was no one to observe her, she
had attlred herself slowly, absorbed
In her whimsy. Her wistful beauty
dnzcd the young man and robbed him
Of the words he had rehcarscd, but MS
she made to flee from him, with a
pltlful gesture. toward her room the
fear Of losing her aroused him and
spurred his wit.
Don't go away! have something
I must tell you. I've thought 1t over,
and you've got to listen, Nccia.'
81 am listening" she answered very
quietly.
Understand me, I'm not whining,
4 20 tnEn m medicine
couldn't talk or think very straight
this afternoon. but you were wrong
YES, | know now I was wrong. II
was most unladylike, wasn't IT. But
you sec. nm only little savage"
81 don't mean that. mean you iwer,
wrong when you said I had played
with you. In the sight OF God. l sweal
you were mistaken. You have mnd'
me love you. Nccia. Can't you seer
She made no sign.
IF you can't, owe Il TO you and Il
myself to set you right. am no
ashamed to acknowledge my love. ant
even when you are married to PoleoI
want you to know that ! shall low
you always" .-
Even yet she made no sign. Was b
not merely repeating the same empt!
words with which he had SO often be
guilcd her? There was no word o
marriage. He still considered her un
worthy, beneath him.
"You do love me. Necia-you do!
see It In your eyesr' And he starte'
toward her With open arms. but sh
shrnnk away from him.
"No, no. Don't touch me"' she al
most screamed.
"My dear one" he breathed, ''yo
must listen to me. You have nothin
TO fear, for I love you-lOve yOu-lov
youl You. were made for me! You
be my wife. Yes; you'll be marrie'
on Sunday. but to me. not to Poleon o
any other man"
Did she hear arighti Was he. he
soldier lover. asking her, the India
girl?
"You do love me, don't your b
pleaded. But still she could not speni
aud he tried TO read the answer In he
swimming eyes.
"You mean-you want to-marr
met" she murmured Mt last. hesitatin
shyly mt the word that had come
play 80 momentous a part in her lit
world.
Indeed 1 do" he declared. with er
phasis, "in spite of everything, an
thing! Nothing else matters. I'll gu
the army. I'll give up the service M
my people too. I'll put everythir
back OF me, and wen start out anew
Just you and l."
wait n moment" she said. retrea
ing little from his eager. outstretc
ed arms. "why do you need to do a
that?"
"Nevcr mind why. It's as good ,
done. You wouldn't understand"
But think do understand no,
Do really mean all that to your
Yes, and more" .......
Listen to me-" said the girl Quietl
81 want you to talk slowly 30 | mG
not misunderstood II you-marl
me must you forego NIL those gre
things you speak of-your professio
your family. your futuref"
"Nonscnse!" exclaimed the soldie
"If they don't bother me, Necia. wi
should you worryT ,-. .- e.. d..
would you really have to give ,
your family-your sister, Would tho
people you are so proud Of and WI
nrc so proud Of you-would they c
you offf' ,.., ........