The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1909-11-25

And your he asked. just as low.
In the darkness she looked up at him.
'sAnd l." she said-"I shall be up here
just where am now watching the
lights and thinking and praying that
all win be we'll"
Again they stood in silence for
time.
Then the man sighed.
Il am afraid to come back again." he
began unsteadlly. Il think I had bet
ter ~ goodby to you tonight"
She moved slightly closer.
..Afraidys 1t was a taunt tremulous-
" given
Yes be blurted- Il am afraid. and
you know why
She did not answer, and he rushed
on speaking low, eagerly, yet bitterly.
You know / can't tell you what l
wish to SAY. 4 haven't really the right.
/ nm penni'css naval o1icer and yor
the daughter Of the biggest steel man
: In the country. / haven't the right
what Il It Jon wish to sayy' she
asked insistently. She was 20 close
their hands touched - be turned to-
ward her. And. touching. the hands
chung together.
~You know what I with to say.- be
exclaimed IF I had the right I'd tell
you how much I love you I'd al you
how from the first moment saw yor
wanted you. and you only. I'd tell
you how ! never have lived until l
knew you and the rest Of my life
muxf be one dreary blank OF grinding
duty because l must lose you I'd tell
you that life with you would be more
happiness than any man has the right
to have I'd tell you that I'd rather
have one year Of you than a million
years ON earth and all the honors that
men could give me. I'D tell you"-he
broke on bitterly for second. then
repeated-~T'd tell you enough to make
you realize what an absolutely dream
ing. idiotic fool am. but I'D tell you
enough to make you know how ] suf-
fer because ! haven't the right to real
~ tell you anything"
In the darkness the girl laughed Q
low laugh Of pure delight.
You are an absolute. idIotic. dream
ing fool" she said. 20 softly. 20 ten
derry. that be could not but understand
~Francesr'
He barely breathed her name. Then
all reply was cut Oh. for she was In
his arms with her own arms about his
neck and their lips were tight to
getber.
II was nearly half an hour later
when Frances Dursnt. her cheeks
flushed. her eyes misty with happi-
ness. opened the big front door and
stepped back into the lighted hall.
30 much had happened IN that shori
time. She had gone ouf an anxious
worried girl. She re-entered q glow
ing woman. loved cd loving, sure Of
herself and happily confident Of the
future. They were not engaged. No
indeed They had solemnly assured
each other Of that fact II would moi
DO at all for the pcnnlIess naval offlceI
TO formally ask the hand Of the sfee
kings daughter But when his CUR
had been q great success and fame
had come to him thea be was 10 coHs
and make his formal plea and ask heI
father Tor her hand. And she would
be waiting eagerly for her lover. ready
with her answer and prepared. no mat
ter what happened. TO follow him Il
the ends Of the earth.
Edward Pinckney looked up with {
sneer ~ she entered the library.
oh. hes gone, has her be sait
copfemptuously.
The girl was too hsppy 70 mind tn
tone.
"You mean Mr. sommers7" abe said
affecting TO misunderstsnd. Yes; he''
gone"
"of course mean that naval whip
psrsnapper. Who do you suppose
Desnt7" be replied sharply. sYos
ssght to have more sense. Frances
than 10 stand out on that cold porch
You're likely to catch pneumonia o.
anything"
The girl smiled slightly.
~Oh, wasn't cold,v she said.
1--WE been waiting to speak TO you