The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1912-10-25

NO, you do not know me ! 'old
you before ! was q sham. a frrud, not
what ! appeared to be, I will rot ex.
plain even to you. and you must not
ask me. Only It hurts me to hear
you say what you have. and be CON.
PEELED to return this answer"
You care then-you do not dis.
guise that3"
She threw her head back proudly,
making no attempt to withdraw her
hands.
Yes. | care any woman would II
is not true that | have served you
merely because you were a soldier Of
the Colonies. | think II was true, per
haps, at first, but--but later II was
different. Oh! why do | say this!
Why do delay your departure by con
senting to remain here In
ton! Major Lawrence. cannot you
realize that my only desire ia to have
you get away safely?"
But that is not my only desire
protested. 1T must be weeks, months.
before | 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 a hope7 Claire. Claire,
sweetheart, you have no right to turn
me away, because OF some phantom Of
Imagination"
But 1t Is not, II Is terribly real"
II are not; | 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 womRnhood; | should
know that whatever you did was In
accordance with your conscience, and
be content-if you but love me, And,
thank Godl | know you do"
"I-I-no! You cannot mean that"
"Ay, but | do. Have you supposed
| could not read the message OF those
eyes? Oh, 1t may be dark. dear. but
there lie a s~tarIgleam, and when the
lashes lift-they confess a thousand
times more than your lips acknowl-
edge. Yet | insist or the lipsl Now
tell me-" and | held her to me, tell
me-"
"What-oh, major, pleased"
There are but three words to
speak; whisper them, dear, and Co."
Three words?"
Such easy words; they are trem-
bling on your lips now--l love you"
But II | do not; If they are false.
Hush! There iB some n On the ve
randa-Seldon must have returned"
"All the more reason why you
should speak quickly" l whispered.
without releasing her.
"Will you 60. thenH At oncer-
u pledge my word"
She drew q deep breath, her eyes
Swallowed, but ! could hear the swift
pulsing OF her heart
Tit will mean nothing-nothinR"
"Of course; only a memory TO dream
over"
Her lashes lifted. her head tilted
back upon my shoulder. For a bare
instant | gazed down into the depths.
"Then--I will love you!"
With the words I kissed her, press
ing my lips to hers; an instant they
chung, and | felt the pressure OF her
the hot blood rioing through my
veins.
Sweetheart" l whispered. sweet.
mo, moi" and she thrust me from
her. you forget ! am not that. You
must not think 1t even. See, that man
is coming down the steps. He will
discover Captain Grant, and II will DO
too late--Oh, go. major. please go!"
/ turned without another word, fully
realizing the danger, the necessity Of
action. Her hand touched mine Rs /
grasped the rein,
I'VE part friends" she said softly.
Some day you may understand and
me"
IT understand now more than you
! returned swiftly, land | Rgn
back to learn all"
CTO BE CoNTINUED)