The Springfield herald., 1912-12-20

mo, you DO not know me. ] told
you bsfors was . sham. fraud. not
what I appeared to be. I will not ex.
plain even TO you. and you must not
ask me. Only It hurts me TO bear
you say what you have. and be COM
PEELED to return this answer"
You care thsn-you do not dis
guise thatf"
She threw her head back proudly.
making no attempt to withdraw her
hands.
"Yes. I care; any woman would. It
10 not true that I have served you
merely because you were . soldier OF
the Colonies. think 1t was true. per
haps. at first. but-but later 1t was
different. oh! why do say thisi
Why do delay your departure by con-
senting to remain here In conversar
toni Major Lawrence. cannot you
realize that my only desire Is to have
you get away safely?"
"But that 10 not my only DESIRE"
protested. at must be weeks, months.
before can hope to see you again.
l am a servant Of the Colonies, and
must go where am sent; we are upon
the verge Of a campaign involving e1-
posture and battle. may not even
come forth alive. Must I go without
a word. without hope? Claire. Claire.
sweetheart. you have no right to turn
me away, because OF some phantom OF
imagination"
But 1t Is not, It Is terribly real.
81 care not; l would still love you
in spite of all; you may be spy-a
British spy-but the fact would mean
nothing to me. l would trust you.
Claire, your womanhood; I should
know that whatever you did was in
accordance with your conscience. and
be content-if you but love me. And.
thank God! l know you do"
"I-I-no! You cannot mean that!"
"Ay, but do. Have you supposed
1 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 thousand
times more than your lips acknowl-
edge Yet insist on the lips! Now
me-"
"What-oh, major. pleased"
There are but three words to
speak; whisper them. dear. and l CO."
Three words7"
"Such easy words: they are trem-
bling on your lips now-1 love you"
But II / 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" whispered.
| without releasing her.
"Wil you go. then? At once"
II pledge my word"
She drew deep breath. her eyes
Swallowed, but I could hear the swift
pulsing of her heart.
"It-it will mean nothing-nothing."
"Of course; only a memory to dream
over"
Her lashes lifted. her head tilted
back upon my shoulder. For bare
instant 1 gazed down into the depths.
"Then-I WILL love you'll"
With the words kissed her. press
ing my lips to hers; an instant they
chung, and felt the pressure Of her
arm, the hot blood rioting through my
veins. 4
Sweetheart" whispered. sweet
heart"
mo, mol" and she thrust me from
her. you forget. l am not that You
must not think 1t 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 I
grasped the rein.
1--WE part friends" she said softly.
Some day you may understand and
forgive me-"
II understand now more than you
think" l returned swiftly. "and ! am
coming back to learn ALL"
CTo BE CONTINUED)