Evening star., 1909-08-22

simply alame with happiness in his presence and
she feared he must soon find 1t out That the horse
his gift, she comprehended all at once; but
what had he said-what it he had said that she
must answer? Her heart and her mind had Goa
lesced There was love in both and little of reason
in either She knew he holding her eyes to his
with the sheer force of overwhelming love- She tried
to escape. : mean"
He broke all control like whirlwind. Il mean
/ can't hold it any longer love you! l love you
to DEATH"
He took her in his arms suddenly, passonatey
crushing her almost fercely against his heart He
kissed her the lips. once. twice dozen times IN
half minute feeling the warm, moist softness in the
contact and holding her plant figure yet more close
ly to him.
She too was mad with it all-for a second Then
she began to battle with his might. Van! Mr..
Van!' she said, pushing his face away with a hand
he might have devoured Let me 60! Let me go! o.
How dare You sha MT! You sha'n't Let me gol"
Her nature in revolt for moment against her
better judgment, refused to do the bidding Of her
muscles Then she gathered strength out OF the
whirlwind itself and pushed him away like tlgress
You sha 'n't!'' she repeated. " You ought to be
ashamed How dare you treat me
lie had turned abruptly, looking toward the door
IL Her utterance was halted by his movement Of
listening She had barely time to take up her papers
and make an effort at regainng her composure
Bostwck coming down the hall. He presently
appeared at the door For moment there was
silence.
Van was the first to speak How are you,
Bostwick looked him with i'll concealed dis
dain. You thought you were clever suppose, he
said in growl-lke that certainly fitted his face
What are you doing here, I'd like to know"
''Tottering angels" said Van. Didn't that
perlence do you any good after all! NO wonder the
convicts wouldn't have YOU.
Beth was afraid for what Bostwick might have
heard She could not censure Van for what he had
done she saw he would make explanations At
best she could only attempt to put some appearance
of the commonplace upon the horsenan's visit
Mr.. Van Buren came-to see Mrs Dick, she
faltered, steadying her voice as best she might
They 're-very old friends
What s that?" demanded Bostwick, coming into
the room and pointing at the bright nugget pin lying
exposed on the table Some present, l suppose,
for Mrs. Dick?" He started to take it.
Van interposed. Its neither for Mrs. Dick nor
for you It's present I've made to Miss Kent.
Bostwick elevated his brows. "1ndeed!
Beth futtered in with word of defense. It's
just little souvenir, that's all, souvenir of-of
my escape from those terrible men,
And Searles return, added Van, who felt the
very iend in his veins at sight of Bostwick, helpless
and enraged
Searle opened his lips if to fling out something
of his wrath He held it back and turned to Beth.
:" 1t will soon be night. We have much to do |
suppose may you privately even here?"
Beth was helpless. And IN the circumstances she
wished for Van to 60 Certainly, she answered,
raising her eyes for a second to the horsemans;
that IS if"
Certainly Van answered cordially "Goodby"
He advanced and held out his hand
She gave him her own because there nothing
else to do-and the tingling OF his being made it
burn. She did not dare to meet his gaze.
so long, Searle he added smilingy. Better
turn that crouch out to pasture. Then he went
CHAPTER Xxx.
W., Ia