New-York tribune., 1910-05-22


prehensOn. His arms, which had been ex-
tended as if begging her to come to their shell
ter. dropped heavily to his sides. His attitude
was that of the man who is sensing first
feeling of bitter defeat.
AIT" she reproached. "The Captain
whom have 50 admired proves reckless IN
conclusions. | am sorry She stepped
closer to him and looked up into his troubled
face, and then with new resolve motloned
toward the seat. Come, friend, she IN
vited. "let us sit down here for moment
longer. 1t is difficult for me to say what
want to. Won't YOU listen to mee Won't
YOU do this much"
She seated herself: but for several mo-
ments he stood despondently and then,
hopeless, did as she requested.
will YOU believe me strange, she began,
abruptly turning toward him, If l tell you
that YOU are the only man have ever loved'
NO:no-not that Let me finish, please.
And vet, in the turmoil of these last few
weeks | have never been able to decide that
loved YOU enough to become part of your
1ife-to be-" she whispered the last words,
''vour wlfel
His heart was throbbing now, and only by
cutching his hand on the edge of the seat
could he restrain himself, knowing that I'M
petuousneSs might rob him of any chance
he had.
well? Go on, Won't you?
And the hardest perturbation l have
ever known has been since | learned the
truth regarding your and Charlotte's be-
trottal and that it had been ended You
wanted to know if knew that you loved me.
Yes. | did know it. Moreover, | knew be-
fore we had been together a week that you
were to love me more and that nothing but
your honor kept you from betray1ng 1t IN
| words. | said you were the most loyal gen
tleman | had ever known. and now l am
more than ever convinced; but.but one
must be sure before one Yet | admit there
| have been times when | feared you would
| never say to me what you have tonight;
| that | might never be sure by your assertion
that YOU cared so much for me. | cannot
| CannOt-SaV either yes or no. ! She
sprang to her feet nervOu5ly and ClaSptd her
| hands together.
"Gol Cot" she said almost with a sob
| " Go before l say no and hurt you'll Oh, give
me time. Please do not speak of this again
until | give you permission! | will come to
you myself and tell you of my decision when
when | am sure. Please leave me now!
For a full minute they faced each other IN
the full light, reading each others eyes
His face had been gravely earnest, and now
as he looked became sympathetic. He knew
that it was hard for her, with all her natural
repression, to yield, and that the struggle
through which she was passing WAS deeper
than he might ever fully comprehend.
| "Ah, Margaret, he whispered bending
toward her, Il understand, little womanl"
And. smiling at her with eyes in which was
great and hungry affection. he lifted her
hand to his lips and turned away.
He heard her gasp and drop back on
the bench. He paused to look back and
saw that she was leaning her head on her
arms, which we're thrown along the marble
rest as if her emotions had been beyond en-
durancc. He stood irresolute for an instant
and then made another start; but a voice
halted him. 1t was soft as the call of a spirit
of the languorous night, soft as the mellow
| whistle of bird to its mate IN the aCaCias
beside which he stood. faint almost as the
whispering rustic of gently disturbed leaves.
And yet he heard! He walked back to meet
her, with arms held out IN another entreaty.
! She came slowly; but as he approached he
saw in the light of the ancient lamps that on
her face was shy REIMBURSEMENT.
| No. no." she said quickly. motioning