The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1911-11-30
CHAPTER XVI.
The Woman | Loved.

The Woman | Loved.
The crucial moment had arrived,
and I think my heart actually stop
ped beating as stood gazing helpless
ly into her face saw her eyes
open wide in astonished recognition.
and then a deep flush swept over
throat and cheek. For the instant |
believed she would not speak, or that
she would give way to her excitement
and betray everything burst give
no signal of warning. for there ex-
listed no tie between us to warrant
my expecting any consideration from
her. II was an instant so tense that
her silence seemed like a blow. Yet
II was only an instant. Then her
eyes smiled into mine most frankly,
and her hand was extended.
Il am more than delighted to meet
you, Colonel Curran, she said calmly
although | could feel her lips tremblc
to the words, while the fingers ] held
were like Ice Myrtle was one OF
my dearest friends, and she chanced
10 be in my mind even as we met
That was why" she added, turning
toward Miss Minor, as though she felt
her momentary agitation had not
passed unobserved 81 was so sur.
prised when you first presented
Colonel Curran."
"T confess TO having felt strangely
myself returned the other archly,
although | believe | concealed my
feelings far better than you did, Edith
Really, ] thought you were going to
faint II must be that Colonel Curran
exercises some strange occult influ-
ence over the weaker sex. Perhaps
he is the seventh son OF seventh
son; are you, Colonel? However,
dear, ! am safe for the present from
his mysterious spell, and you will be
compelled TO face the danger alone, as
here comes Lieutenant Hammersmith
to claim the dance I've promised
him"
Before Mrs Brennan could inter
fere, the laughing girl had placed her
hand on the Bieutenant's blue sleeve,
and, with a mocking goodbye flung
backward over her shoulder vanished
In the crowd, leaving us standing
there alone
The lady waited in much apparent in
difference, gently tanping the floor
with her neatly shod foot
World you be exceedingly angry
III / were TO ask you to dance?' l
questioned, stealing surreptitiously
glance at her proudly averted face.
Angry Most assuredly not" in
apparent surprise. yet trust you
will not ask nae. I have been upon
the floor only once tonight | am
not at all in the mood
"If there were chairs here | should
venture 10 ask e, a greater favor
that you would consent to sit out this
set with me
She turned slightly. lifted her eyes
inquiringy to mine, and her face
lightened.
mo doubt we might discover seats
without difficulty in the anteroom,"
she answered, indicating the direction
by glance. There do not appear TO
be many 'sitters at this ball, and the
few who do are not crowded"
The apartment contained, as she
prophesied, but few occupants, and l
conducted her to the farther end of
It, where we found a comfortable
divan and no troub esome neighbors
AS / glanced at her now, | marked
distinct change in her face. The
old Indifference, so we'll assumed
while we were in the presence OF
others, had utterly vanished as by
magic, and she sat looking at me in
anxious yet impetuous questioning.
Captain Wayne" she exclaimed,
her eyes never once leaving my face,
what does this mean? this masquer.
ade? this we~ring of the Federal uni
form? this taking of another's name?
this being here at all?"
IF should say that | came hoping
to see you again" | answered, scarce
knowing how best to proceed or how
far to put confidence in her, what
would you think?"
IF that is true, that you were ex.
tremely foolish to take such a risk for
so small reward" she returned calm.
ly. Nor, under these circumstances
would | remain here so much as a
moment to encourage you. But 1t is
not true. This is no light act; your
very life must lie in the balance. OF
you could never assume such risk"
Il would trust you gladly with my
life or my honor ] replied soberly
III had less faith In you should
not be here now. ! understand that
| am condemned to be shot as spy
at daybreak." 4d