The Southern herald., 1912-11-29

sex. yet may be equally reos-
which would seen to mean that al /
your kindness toward ne would have
been similarly given to any patriot
soldier"
"Why-why, yes; II think 50.
~And / DO not, Mistress Clairei ]
refuse to so believe" Her eyes
flashed up at ne. and lost all re-
straint in their swift challenge. 4 am
going to speak-iust a word. yet
must give it utteranoe before l nde
out into the dark. away from you
love you. II makes no difference 70
me where your sympathies may be IN
this struggle. you have won my heart.
Look up, dear, and listen am going
back to camp, back to the campaign
know not what the night, what the
morrow may bring. But know for
ever l love you, and that II live |
shall surely come back. VIII you DO
glad? VIII you promise me weleomef
could feel her tremble, yet there
was no shrinking in her face, no alarm.
"Oh, why were you compelled to
say that! | tried so hard not to LET
you. - cannot make the promise,
it would not be right"
mot right"
mo, you do not know me. told
you before l was sham, a fraad, not
what l appeared to be. l viii not ex'
plain even to you, and you must not
ask me. Only 1t hurts me to hear
you say what you have, and be COM
pelled to return this answer"
you care then-you d 0ot dis
guise that?"
She threw her head back proudly,
making no attempt to withdraw her
hands.
"Yes, l care; any woman would. II
is not true that have served YOU
merely because you were soldier OF
the Colonies. think it was true, per-
haps, at first, but-but later it was
different. Obi why do | say this!
Why do delay your departure by con-
senting to remain here in canversa-
tion! Major Lawrence, canTOt you
realize that my only desire is to hays
you get away safely?"
"But that is not my only desire" !
protested. 1T must be weeks, mNnths'
before l can hope to see you again.
am a servant of the Colonies, and
must go where am sent; we are upon
the verge of a campaign involving ex'
posure and battle. may not even
come forth alive. Must | go without
a word, without hope? Claire, Claire,
sweetheart, you have no right to turn
me away, because Of some phantom OF
imagination"
"But it is not, 1t is terribly real"
Il care not; l would still love you
in spite of all; you may be a spy--a
British spy-but the fact would mean
nothing to me. would trust you.
Claire, your womanhood; | should
know that whatever you did was in
accordance with your conscience, anc
be content-if you but love me. And
thank God! know you do"
"I-I--no! You cannot mean that!'
cay, but do. Have you supposed
could not read the message of thosN
eyes? Oh, it may be dark, dear, but
there is a star-gleam, and when thu
lashes lift-they confess a thousand
times more than your lips acknowl
edge. Yet l insist on the lips! Nov
tell me-" and held her to me. tel
me-"
"What-oh, major, pleased"
"There are but three words Il
speak; whisper them, dear, and / co.
Three words?"
"Such easy words; they are trem
bling on your lips now-I love you"
"But IL l do not; II they are false
Hush! There is some one on the vS
randa-Seldon must have returned"
"All the more reason why 20,
should speak quickly" l whispered
without releasing her.
"Will you go, then? At once?"
81 pledge my word"
She drew deep breath, her eye
shadowed, but could hear the swift
pulsing Of her heart.
Tit will mean nothing-nothing.
"Of course; only memory to drear
over"
Her lashes lifted, her head title
back upon my shoulder. For a bar
instant gazed down into the depthi
"Then-I will love you'll"
With the words I kissed her, pres
ing my lips to hers; an instant the
clung, and / felt the pressure Of he
arm, the hot blood rioting through m
Veins.
Sweetheart" whispered, "swee
heart"
mo, mol" and she thrust me frol
her. you forget. l am not that. Yo
must not think it even. See. that ma
is coming down the steps, He wi
discover Captain Grant, and 1t will /
too late-Oh, go, major, please go!"
turned without another word, full
realizing the danger, the necessity
action. Her hand touched mine SS
grasped the rein.
1--WE part friends" she said softl
Some day you may understand al
forgive me-"