The Dolores star., 1910-02-25

atty OF my lack OF good faith. But It's
not about that have ridden over. II
is to beg you viii delay your going;
] can't read one word of your writing
not a world"
She looked amused and said, mo
one ever told me that before"
Put it, then. to my lack of educa-
tion." he laughed. but please come
and read it to me, or at least help me
to decipher.''
The village clock struck in the re-
mote distance some part OF the hour
and Miss Carew started.
There, it is half-past seven. Mr..
Tempest. I must GO
You mean you won't come to Cra-
ven to-day and read your manuscript
to me?"
She hesitated
'Why?-why not?" he asked quietly.
II he had searched his wit through
he could not have fallen upon a better
question. He blocked her path. his
horses coat reddening in the sunlight
that now began to brighten.
why won't you Gomez"
Why should she not? In all the
world to care-or praise p blame
she saw only the trim figure of Polly
Ramsdill and her honest, curious eyes.
As II there were Polly alone to know
or remark, weakly she said:
Mrs. Ramsdill thinks I have left
Cravenford."
Exultant, but keeping his triumph
under, Mr.. Tempest said:
No. she doesn't | stopped there In
passing and told her-not quite an un.
truth-that an important message had
come for you which might delay you"
They had started to walk along side
by side across the fields. His bride
was over his arm as she walked be-
side him, lovely In the weakness and
the grace a woman's yielding gives
her to a mans eyes. Tempest, even
then-in the barren field. the open
road near by-Tempest contemplated
stealing his arm around her and draw.
Ing her to him. What would she do?
What did she feel of the rush and
throb his pulse and brain trembled
under? A fierce Joy at his victory
came across his face as II bent upon
her its recklessness and devil-may-care
freedom. only day" he unused.
IAN hour-and, my God. haven't
right to tear from fate what CAM"
He may have been about to speak
to her-to touch her-when she unex-
pectedly turned to him her frank, pure
eyes. There was something so virgin.
SO young, so good in her face. trans
cending her beauty, that he was
ashamed. The miraculous purity OF
her unspoiled country seemed typified
In her. His spirit changed within him
and his voice was very gentle as he
said:
Thank you very much indeed.
shall look for you this afternoon.
Shall I send for you, or will you
Walk"
"I'll walk" said Miss Carew, and he
accepted her decision, saying:
Then I'll mount and leave you here,
You will simply tell Mrs. Ramsdill
that you have planned to stay on for
a day or two because of your mes
sage"
He shook her hand and, getting on
his horse, took leave Of her in the
lane.
But at four o'clock his carriage
came for her-he was not. evidently,
In mood to wait for her arrival
Mrs. Ramsdll came in to Lucy
Carew with the announcement and .
note.
wilt you not dine here?" 1t ran.
IF you are a rigid conventionalist
Mrs. Henly shall sit and knit in her
corner"
To Ramsdills presence, to her
slightly pursed-up lips. her air" was
due the response that went to Mr..
Tempest, for looking suddenly up Miss
Carew caught sight of her sister
woman's face and it gave her pause.
Was she coward and did not dare
to take her life without fear of
peasant woman's comment? Or did
the look on the humble. good face re-
feet only what was in Lucy's own
heart--a fear, a dread, distrust, and
certain shame?
She wrote note and sent it in her
stead. But she could not like crea-
ture with no mind or will, entirely re-
fuse the favor she had promised
Il am sorry, but I cannot come to-
day. / will go to Craven tomorrow
between two and three"