The Eureka sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1902-current, 1912-08-17

occasions. ] wish TO repay her debt.
as we'll as my own. but at the same
time feel no desire to face a court
martial. Give me ten minutes tirst. and
then the coast will be clear"
He bent down. kissed her tenderly
and faced me with extended hand.
There was a lump In my throat which
would not permit speech. yet | re-
turned his firm clasp. He was a fine
fellow. ] could envy him. but I could
neither dislike nor quarrel. Had II
beer Dunn ! should have refused to
accept freedom from him. but | un-
spected the man.
Lieutenant King. you may watch
with me-" said Jean when Donald
had gone. ! came slowly across the
room. scarcely realizing why I should
prove obedient and yet unable to resist
her invitation. Just before be disap-
peared Donald had glanced back and
waved his hand. Then the girl turned
and smiled in my face.
do you like him. lie%utenant?" she
questioned simply.
HE has certainly given me every
reason for respect. If we had met
under other circumstances | should
have valued his friendship highly"
II am so glad to hear you say that.
To me he is the noblest man living.
and I want you to think So"
Surely" protested. a little sur
prised. you did not suppose | would
dislike him because he had come into
you heart In advance of meT
"Oh. nor the blood flooding her
cheeks. "You are not n TO harbor
such prejudice. but l am going to think
of you as a friend. and I want you
really to care for those whom ! care
for. ! have already emerged that far
from sectional narrowness. lieutenant.
| can call a Yankee friend Isn't 1t
almost a miracle? You can never
know how bitter / have been. how IN
tensely l have despised everything
northern. Somehow you have taken
that away from me. and l can
again feel the same toward those on
the other side. III always will re-
member you."
1t was not that the words OF con-
fession meant so much. but the girls
manner. coupled with this unexpected
change in sentiment. seemed instantly
to alter our entire relationship
Don't" she said. almost pleading
Iy, yet making no effort to draw away;
..you must not misunderstood You
are going away now: you must go at
once 1t is not probable we shall ever
meet again. only we are never TO be
enemies any more, not even In
thought. do want you to know
that"
II thank you for that little. Miss
JEAN"
sit is not little" And she lifted her
eyes to mine almost Indignantly. ut
is a great deal. | would not say to
many even what ! have said to you.
and my life has been lived under con-
| trust you. IL even think l care for
you. IL wish to recall you In mem
DRY as a friend; but, of course, you
understand. that is ALL"
"All?"
Yes; you are going away now. 1t is
best so. | do not know, Lieutenant
King. whether l am legally your wife
or not. but if | am these courts will
divorce me. | shall endeavor t o get
notice to you. so you will also realize
your complete freedom. You expect
me to do this"
II suppose I do" regretfully. but
I would make any sacrifice to have it
otherwise"
She was looking directly at me. her
hand still in mine. her eyes gravely
questioning.
do you really mean that-really
mean all you said to me before?"
"As God Is my witness. JEAN" I In
sisted soberly, Il do mean every word
Of It'll love you earnestly. devotedly.
There can be no evil in my saying this.
ever although I know the impossibility
Of your making any return. l can
take no advantage Of the relation be-
I do confess my love. and l want you
to know the truth. You cannot think
less kindly Of me for that?"
NO." the blue gray of her eyes misty.
her lips tremulous. IL am afraid
| am so selfish as to be almost glad.
Not-not that | wish you to love me.
but-but it is some way a pleasure to
know you care"
do you really mean
"Oh. no. Don't take it that way.
ought not to have said this. hardly
know what ! have said. All u ac-
quaintance has been so strange as to
leave me confused. ! do like you,
Lieutenant King. and | find 1t hard
10 part. yet nothing else is possible.
You must go. and go at once. before
the guard is changed. | pray you do
not delay. do not linger here longer. |
can say no more than | have said al
ready. and your safety depends IN de