The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1912-10-26

/
uniform. l am not privileged to 60 so
far. restrained by the limitations OF
sex. yet l may be equally rebel.
(which would seem to mean that all
your kindness toward me would have
been similarly given to any patriot
soldier"
"Why-why. yes; IL think So"
And l do not, Mistress Claire: l
refuse to SO believe" Her eyes
flashed up at me, and l lost all re-
straint in their swift challenge. Il am
going to speak-just a word. yet
must give it utteranoe before l ride
out into the dark, away from you.
love you. 1t makes no difference to
me where your sympathies may be in
this struggle you have won my heart
Look up, dear, and listen. l am going
back to camp, back to the campaign
l know not what the night, what the
morrow may bring. But l know for
ever l love you, and that if l live |
shall surely come back. Will you be
glad? viii you promise me welcome?'
| could feel her tremble, yet there
was no shrinking in her face, no alarm.
"Oh, why were you compelled to
say that! l tried so hard not to let
you. IL cannot make the promise.
it would not be tight"
Not right"
NO, you do not know me. | told
you before | was a sham, fraud, not
what | appeared to be- | will 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
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. II
is not true that l have served you
merely because you were soldier of
the Colonies. | think it was trne, per
haps, at first, but-but later it was
different. Oh! why do I say this!
Why do delay your departure by con
senting to remain here in conversa-
toni Major Lawrence. cannot you
realize that my only desire is to have
you get away safely?"
But that is not my only desire"
protested. ut 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
word, without hope? Claire. Claire.
sweetheart, you have no right to turn
| Dpr nj, ~ nf
Imagination"
But 1t Is not, 1t Is terribly real"
Il care not | would still love you
in spite Of all; you may be spa
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!
"Ay, but l do. Have you supposed
could not read the message of those
eyes? Oh, 1t may be dark, dear. but
there is a star-gleam, and when the
} lashes lift-they confess a thousand
times more than your lips acknowl-
edge Yet / insist on the lips! Now
tell me-" and | held her to me, tell
me-"
"What-oh, major. please!
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-I love you"
But If do not; II 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?"
Il pledge my word"
She drew a deep breath, her eyes
shadowed but | could hear the swift
pulsing of her heart.
Tit will mean nothing-nothing.
"Of course; only memory to dream
over"
Her lashes lifted, her head tilted
back upon my shoulder. For bare
instant l gazed down into the depths.
"Then-I WILL love you!"
With the words kissed her, press
ing my npS u HelS, dh iHstdhe tHey
clung. and felt the pressure OF her
arm, the hot blood rioting through my
veins.
Sweetheart" l whispered. sweet
heart"
mo, moi" and she thrust me from
her. You forget. l am not that. You
must not think it even. See, that man
is coming down the steps. He will
discover Captain Grant, and 1t 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 ]
grasped the rein.
I'VE part friends" she said softly.
Some day you may understand and
|