Mexico Missouri message., 1910-09-22
CHAPTER xIV-continusd.

and orders his yacht put in.
CHAPTER xIV-continusd
because"
She hesitated.
Are you afraid to tell me7"
YES" she said.
"Afraid Of what?"
"Of losing you"
"Banish that fear"
"But it's not that that keeps me
silent"
what them"
II would have the worlds comment
on what 1 say when say it."
1.-THE worlds comment! What is
the worlds comment to me?"
"a test, trial Of your feelings! If
1t breaks my heart, you must know"
IF you feel that way about it." said
the man resolutely, "you need tell me
nothing at ALL"
1t was brave thing to say, for her
mysterious words filled him with du-
biety and dismay. He had no idea
what it was that she could tell him.
He had no experience by and through
which to embody her vague hints into
something real and tangible. He knew
that he was terribly grieved, and but
that he had no way to describe the
pain of jealousy, he would have said
that he was racking with that unhappy
emotion.
Tell me nothing" he repeated
again. of il grieyes YOU"
Are you afraid of the test?" she
asked, swiftly.
II am afraid of nothing, except los.
ing YOU"
II am not worthy of you," returned
the woman, "as 1 told you, but if you
will still have me IL you will take me
when / have said what l must say,
and when the world has said what it
will say, then shall be yours as long
as live"
at is WELL" said the man. II wait
the ship now eagerly that may show
you that what have said is true"
1.-THE vessel is nearer now" she
said at last, rising from where they
had been seated together upon the
grass absorbed in each other, and
pointing seaward.
"Yes," he answered, II can even
see the figures upon the deck"
"Your brother men,"
'"Will there be some women on the
ship"
81 do not know" she answered
quickly. at isn't likely. Do you wish
to see other women?"
None" was the instant answer. q.
wondered If my brothers would bring
you sisters. That was ALL"
There was absolutely no dissimula
ton about the man. There had beer
no coquetry about her. He woulC
simply have failed entirely to under
stand what it was. He was as honest
as straightforward, as absolute sim
plicity and sincerity must ever be
and she had met him exactly on hi
own ground. 1t was impossible, there
fore, for her to misapprehend hi
mere casual interest.
She stood quietly studying the az
preaching vessel. AS she did SO,
came to her mind that there was some
thing strangely familiar about the or
coming ship. She stared longer, AM
the conviction grew upon her. Whel
she realized 1t she clasped her ham
to her heart with a sudden gasp an
turned a white face upon him. H
was all solicitude in an instant
what is the matter?" he cried
"Your face is white; you look s
strangely"
ut is a sudden pain" she gaspet
terror and dismay constructing he
throat.
She wavered. He thought she wa
going to fall. He stepped closer {
her and put his arm about her.
mo, no." she said, repulsing.
1t was the first command she ha
given him in those bygone days whe
he had stood dumbly before her.
"No, mol" she pushed him away. {
shall be all right"
"And has the approach of men d.
prived me of the privilege of toucl
ing you?" he asked, wistfully. "Wha
ts the matter?"
Don't ask me now" she answere,
"I-I--cannot explain"
The vessel was nearer now and q
she stared ii came to stop an
swung broadside to the reef TheI
was no mistaking IT, It was the Soutl
eru Gross. She knew 1t as well as sh
knew her own face. The thing whic
she had dreaded so when she fie
from that vessel in the launch, whic
Hbe had dreaded for o time In Il