Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1912-04-23
(CONTINUEp.l

| CONTINUED
The significance Of the swift glance
which was exchanged between NJ. Fer
raud and Fitzgerald was not translat
able to Laura, who alone caught 1t II
| its transit. An idea took possession Of
her, but this idea had nothing to dt
with the glance, which she forgot al
most instantly. AS Laura was OF the
disposition to walk down by the Gem
etery, to take final view Of the sea
before It melted into the sky, what was
more natural than that Fitzgerald
should follow her? They walked on II
the peace Of twilight, unmindful OF the
curiosity Of the villagers or Of the play
of children about their feet. The two
were strangely silent, but to him II
seemed that she must presently heal
the thunder of his insurgent heart. Al
length she paused, gazing toward the
sea, upon which the purples OF night
were rapidly deepening.
"And If had not made that wager!
he said, following aloud bis train Of
thought.
"And IL had not bought that statu
ettew picking up the thread. II She
had laughed nothing might have hap
pened. But her voice was low and
sweet and ruminating.
The dam Of his reserve broke, and
the great current Of life rushed over
his lips, to happiness or to misery
whichever 1t was to be.
~ love you, and I can no more help
telling you than can help breathing
I have tried not to speak. l have Sc
little to offer. l have been lonely SC
long. I did not mean to tell you here
but I've done It," He ceased, terrified
His voice had diminished down to q
mere whisper and finally refused tc
work at all.
Still she stared out to sea.
He found his voice again. $50 there
isn't any hope? There is some one
else?" He was very miserable.
Had there been 1 should have stop
PED you at once.
But
do you wish a more definite an
swer, John? And only then did she
turn her head.
"Yesw his courage coming back full
and strong. 81 want you to tell me
you love me and while my arms are
round you like this. May I kiss your
mo other man save my father
shall"
"Ah, I haven't done anything to de-
serve this!"
"Now
"I'm not even third rate hero"
"No?" with gentle raillery.
"Say you love me-"
"Amo, anna, amiamo"-
"In English. have never heard 1t
in English"
$50" pushing back from him, you
have heard 1t in Italian?
Laura, I didn't mean that. There
was never any one else. Say It."
So she said 1t softly. She repeated
1t as though the utterance was as
sweet to her lips as 1t was to bis ears.
And then, for the first time. she be-
came supine in his arms. With his
cheek touching the hair on her brow
they together watched, but did not see
the final conquest Of the day.
"And have had the courage to ask
you to be my wifeT 1t was wonder
full
Napoleon, his hunted great-grand-
son, the treasure, all these had ceased
to exist.
John, when you lay in the corridor
the other night and I thought you
were dying I kissed you" Her arm
frightened us did his. "Will you prom
ise never to tell If confess secretT
"Ipromise."
"You never would have had the
courage to propose If hadn't deliber-
ately brought you here for that pur-
pose. 1t was I who proposed to you."
I'm afraid I don't quite get that"
ioubtfully.
"Then we'll let the subject rest
where 1t is. You might bring 1t up In
after years." Her laughter was happy.
He raised his eyes reverently toward
heaven. She would never know that
she had stood in danger.
But your father" with a note OF
sudden alarm. And all the worldly
sides to the dream burst upon him.
"Father Is only the company, John"
And so the admiral himself admitted
when, an hour later. Fitzgerald put the
affair before him briefly and frankly.
ut is all her concern. my son. and
only part Of mine. My part is to see
that you keep in order. ] don't know;
I rather expected 1t. OF course" said
the admiral. shifting bis cigar, there's
a business end to 1t. I'm a rich man.
but Laura isn't worth cent-in mon
ey. Young men generally get the
wrong idea that daughters Of wealthy
parents must also be wealthy" BE
was glad to hear the young man laugh.
It was q good sign.
sMy earnings and my income amount
to about $1,000 year. and with an
object In view can earn more. She
says that will be plenty"
The course OF true love does not al
ways run 10 smoothly. A short dis.
tance up the road Cathewe was grim
ly lighting for his happiness.
"Hildegarde. forget him. Must ht
spoil both our livesf Come with me
Be my wife. will make any and oil
sacrifices toward your contentment"
"Have we not thrashed this all ou1
before. my friend7" sadly. do mol
ask me to forget him; rather let me
ask you to forget me-"
"He will never be loyal to any one
but himself. He Is selfish to the core
Has he not proved itT" Where wert
the words he needed for this last de
fense? Where his arguments to con
vince herr he was losing. In his sou
he knew It. II his love for her wal
strong, hers for this outcast was N
less. "a have never wished the dealt
Of any man. but II he should de-
She interrupted him. her hands ex
tended an In pleading. Never had h'
seen q woman's face 20 sad Arthur
have more faith in you than In an!
other man. and prize your friendship
above all other thingH But who cal