River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1912-10-31

NO, you do not know me. / told
you before l was a sham, fraud. not
what appeared to be. l will not ex-
plain even to you, and you must not
ask me. Only it hurts me to hear
you say what you have, and be COM
PEELED to return this answer"
You care then--you do not dis
guise that?"
She threw her head back proudly.
making no attempt to withdraw her
hands.
Yes, care; any woman would. 1t
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. Oh! why do / say this!
Why do delay your departure by con-
senting to remain here in converse
ton! Major Lawrence, cannot you
realize that my only desire is to have
you get away safely?"
But that is not my only DESIRE"
protested. ct must be weeks, months,
before ! can hope to see you again.
| am a servant of tie Colonies, and
must go where l am sent; we are upon
posture and battle. l 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"
prYf iC ic
81 care not; I 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, and
be content-if you but love me. And.
thank God! know you do"
"I-I-no! You cannot mean that!"
SAY, but l do. Have you supposed
l could not read the message of those
eyes? Oh, it may be dark, dear, but
there is a star-gleam, and when the
lashes lift-they confess thousand
times more than your lips acknowl-
edge. Yet insist on the lips! Now
tell me-" and l held her to me, tell
me-"
"What-oh, major, pleased"
There are but three words to
speak; whisper them, dear, and go"
Three words?"
"Such easy words; they are trem-
bling on your lips now-I love you"
"But if l do not; if they are false.
Hush! There is some one on the We
randa-Seldon must have returned.
"All the more reason why you
should speak quickly" I whispered.
without releasing her.
"Will you go. then? At once?
IT pledge my word"
She drew a deep breath, her eyes
Swallowed, but l could hear the swift
pulsing of her heart.
'Tt-it will mean nothing-nothing. !"
"Of course; only a memory to dream
over"
Her lashes lifted, her head tilted
back upon my shoulder. For a bare
instant l gazed down into the depths.
"Then-I will loveTyou!"
With the words l kissed her, press
ing my lips to hers; an instant they
chung, and l felt the pressure of her
arm. the hot blood rioting through my
veins.
Sweetheart" / whispered, Sweet
heart"
mo, mol" and she thrust me from
her. "You forget. am not that. You
must not think it even. See, that man
is coming down the steps. He will
discover Captain Grant, and it will be
too late-Oh, go, major, please go!"
| turned without another word, fully
realizing the danger, the necessity of
action. Her hand touched mine as l
grasped the rein.
I'VE part friends" she said softly.
Some day you may understand and
forgive me-"
81 understand now more than you
think" returned swiftly, "and | am
coming back to learn all"
(TO BE CONTINUED)