The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1909-10-28
CHAPTER II.

meadows were bathed in silver: the
willows along the waters edge caught
the pale CLEANS upon their rustling
branches. whilst far away. the low
wooded hills on either side stood out
against the star fiecked sky almost as
distinctly and clear as though 1t had
been day instead of night.
1T is lovelyi" murmured Irene be-
low her breath.
Are you not glad you Gamer" whis
pered Carroll back.
They sat side by side upon the low.
soft cushions, in the stern of the punt.
Carroll had moored her securely to
an overhanging willow that flung
dappled shadows from it's fiuttering
boughs across the tumbiing waters.
irene was wrapped in q warm dark
cloak. The moonlight shcne full In
her fair, sweet face. and danced in
her eyes. She was a little bit fright
ened OF what she had done. but she
was very happy all the same.
DO you know why I have brought
you out here to-nicst?" continued the
young man. Last night. when 1 was
here by myself, it was quite as beau
and the stars were as bright, the
water shone and g!ittered as 1t danced
over the weir, but 1 felt that there
was something wanting to me-some
one whose eyes should look with mine
1T the lovely night, without whom IL
was all dull and cold and meaning
less TO me. i knew we'll enough what
I wanted. Irene. and 1 said to myself.
Tomorrow / will bring her here, and
here, under the moonlight and stars.
I will tell her that I love her-that
my life is empty and imperfect with
out her-that 1 want her love, and her
heart, and her sweet self for my
own"
Her face droopeI and fell. He drew
her gently into his arms. she did not
resist him; her head sank down upon
his breast. and he clasped her to his
heart in a long and silent embrace.
Irene surrendered herself freely to
the new-found JOY OF his caresses-
caresses that were as reverent as
they were tender. She was proud
girl-proud and shy-yet once she had
confessed him lord of her heart. she
was a true woman. in that she gave
she loved-he was her king and her
master, and she was proud as well
as happy to be his chosen love.
Presently. as was natural. and alas!
as it must always happen. these two
happy lovers came down to earth. and
from TRANSPORTED spirits OF bliss they
became once more a prosaio couple
of young people, whose future had
row to be contemplated nationally and
practically.
Irene. what will your mother say
to me? / suppose 1 have done very
wrong I'm speaking to you? / suppose
IT would have been the right thing to
get her consent first. You see you
have known me such a little while,
but then. my darling, 1 was so anx-
ious to make you love me for myself
and nothing else. You do. don't you.
Irene?"
why. yes. of course, you silly boy.
What else should I love you for?"
she laughed back softly.
"Supposing / were a pauper ana
hadn't a penny In the world and lived
by begging my way along the roads,
would you love me all the same,
Irene? Would you come and share
my mud hovel?"
"Of course 1 should dare say
you are very poor. I really never
thought about 1t. But I shan't mind
that a bit, I am not used to- icing
anything else, you know. And know
q lot about housekeeping and cooking.
I can make my own dresses, and
mend all your clothes for you, and be
es economical as possible. Oh. / shall
love to do 1t ALL"
You little darling! But fortunate
~, my dear one, l am able to offer
you something a little better than the
beggar's howell you are evidently long
ing to share. 1 am not exactly rich,
Irene, but I have quite enough to be
able to keep you in comfort, IL not
exactly in luxury. You shall never
want for anything. my sweet love. and
SO / am going to tell Mrs Garland
when 1 come to see her tomorrow
morning. You see, / have no father
or mother"
"AhI Now that interests me much.
much more than what amount of
money you have got" cried Irene, ca
gerly. Il have often longed to know
about your people and your relations.
I never liked to ask you, but now.
won't you tell me something about
them?"
There Is very little to tell, dearest.
I have no parents and no brothers.
My only near relation Is my sister.
who is a great many years older than
I am. and who lives In the country.
Louise is that much-abused person,
al hut oh io
old maid. and I believe she just wor-
want treads upon"
"Ah!" sighed Irene. Then she will
not think me half good enough for
you"
"will she not? Don't fish for COM
pliments. little girl; for / shall only
stop your mouth with kisses If you
do. There Is young lady who lives
with her Her name Is Agatha Dale.
She is no relation to us at all. but my
sister Is her godmother. and when Ag-
gle was left an orphan. Louise took
her to live with her. and treats her
as II she were her own child"
And I suppose she would have
liked you to marry Miss Agatha
Dale"
You suspicious child! Well, l must
frankly own that / believe that origi-
nally was my good sisters idea But
Louise is a sensible woman, and she
very soon saw that Aggie and 1 we're
very good friends. but were never
likely to be anything more"
II expect Miss Dale is in love with
you. though" she said. nodding her
head sapiently. How could she help
&c, Rupert? You ere so handsome
and so clever. no giIi could help low
ing you."
You little fatterer." laughed her
lover back fondly. do you know
that you will turn my head if you say
such things2"
THAT would be impossible" she re-
torted seriously. You are too good
to be vain" Then all at once she cast
her arms round his neck and took his
dark curled head between her two
white hands. "Oh, my love. my love-"
she cried with a sudden passion, he