The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-03-18
CHAPTER XVIII.
The AvOWal.

CHAPTER XVIII.
The Avowal.
With a lovers Impotence Ronald
started for Cara's island much earlier
than was necessary, and he rested on
his oars in the bay until the moon
had risen above the hill; then he pull
ed in softly and lay down at the foot
of the tree to wait,
The minutes, which seemed hours,
slid slowly by, but Cara did not come;
and after awhile he grew apprehen-
sive. Had she been prevented-per-
haps by her fathers return--had she
repented her half-given promise, and
decided not to come? The fever of
doubt. of longing, of impotence. was
torturing him, when, quite noiseiessly,
she came round the tree.
He was about to spring to his feet,
with her name on his lips; but she
stretched out her hand warningly and
whispered:
do not rise! You may be seem"
With the natural fearlessness which
was one Of her charms for him, she
slid gracefully to the ground beside
him. her eyes searching the bay and
the open sea.
''What is it," he asked. not very
curiously, for he was aborbed in gaz-
ing at her.
She turned her eyes to him grave
ly.
There is boat near the island"
she said.
"Your father? I'm glad. 7 should
like to see him; I want to-"
ST do not know. 1t was too far off
for me to tell; and it kept in, the
shadows. I saw it as I was coming
across the island. At first I thought
it was yours for the rowlocks were
muffled; but caught a glimpse IF
it for a moment, and I knew it was
not yours"
Some fisherman?' he suggested;
but she shook her head.
"No; he would be farther out in
the bay
''It may be one of our men-the
mate, the captain, from the yacht,
he said, after a moments thought. SIT
| is q fine night, and some of them may
| be taking a row."
''It was not a ships boat" she said;
sit was Sicilian. I could tell by the
shape"
"And hanging about the island
where you are alone, or as good as
alone!" said Ronald. "That makes
me anxious"
"There is no need to be- she said
not disputing his right, he noticed
with thrill, to be anxious on her &C.
count. "There is nothing for him tc
steal: and no man who knows my
father would dare to steal it, if there
were. ! have brought the books.
have not read them all; there was
not time; but you will take them
back, and not bring any more. OF
come again."
She still spoke in a low voice, and
there was a note of sadness in Il
which made his heart leap.
eff you say so, of course" he said
"but / think you are very cruel, Mis-:
Cara"
"Cruel?" She raised her eyes IL
1 hi
over her own, and the colour ross
to her face.
/ Yes he said. ''You know how
much want to come. But, of course
you don't; how should you? Yo,
don't know that ever since that nigh
on the moor ! have thought of you
i that since found you on the island
here I've never had you out of m.
mind"
l. She raised her eyes again and look
ed at him with faint wonder doubt
and something else in them hard Il
describe; it may have been fear, j
one could associate fear with her.
"Oh, don't you know; can't yo'
guess, Cara?" he whispered, leanin.
towards her and taking the hand tina
lay on her lap; and his voice wa
thick and shook a little, for his hear
was throbbing with love-and tn
dread lest she should rise and leav
him. ST didn't mean to tell you;
meant to keep it back until I say
your father; butt can't keep silent
This man prowling about the islam
and you alone here-Oh, Cara
don't you see 1 love you, dear?"
7 She did not move, did not with
: draw her hand; but he gathered n
, encouragement from the fact that sh
, did not do so; for he knew that sh
was so overwhelmed by his avowal a
, to be unconscious of his grasp.
ST love you'll" he told her. and tn
| first words of passion that had eve
fallen on her ears struck to her hear
81 love you with all my heart an
soul and body, Don't-don't you I'm
J derstand, Cara?" he asked her, in
/ whisper; for, indeed, she looked a
! If she were striving to realize tn
meaning of his avowal-as if sh
were trying to connect it with her
self. Dear, are you SO surprised.
, he asked her. do you never loo