The Washington herald., 1913-11-26
DAILY SHORT STORY

charm. When she permitted him to draw
her away from the others and stroll
along the white sand. Haldane was in a
| transport OF delight. Never had he found
the girl who held for him the universe
in the palm Of her hand. It seemed as il
Violet Gray was going TO prove that girl
you will come for long tramp with
me tomorrow, win you not2'i he asked
before leaving her.
'T am engaged for the day." she re-
piled reluctantly. 1t seemed to Haadane
Canoeing. then-in the evening" he
persisted.
Violet smiled at his persistence.
Might II not be dangerous-since there
Is no moon to light the wayT' she asked
There IL only dangtr to myself"
Haldane answered quietly. 'T begin to
think, Miss Gray, that would brave al
most any danger IL I might in doing so
win a smile from your eyes" He spoke
half jestingiy. yet there was sufhcient
depth in his voice to give quick sense
Of passion.
Before Violet could speak, however,
Haldane added: Then you are engaged
to me for tomorrow night. and as many
other nights as you will give me-
The girl laughed quickly to hide a
| swift little intake Of breath. For no
reason that Haldane could fathom her
voice was a trifie wistful when she an
| swered:
You may have every dark night until
leave for home. Dick has an the
] days"
"Dick has more time than I have" re-
torted Haldane impatientiy.
He had known me longer" Violet told
him. Besides ii is quite romantic tc
know someone only by shadow-lght
You may even want to look at me In the
glare OF the sun"
by star light and by candle light she
comes to me-" sang Haldane.
"She also comes by dreamlIght-in that
song" put in Violet. so you are to WOO
me by night and Diclxy is TO do his court
ing by day." she laughed mockingly at
him and slipped OF before he could stop
her.
The mockery was gone from her eyes
as Violet reached her room and switched
on the electric light over her dressing
table. She looked long and earnestly into
the mirror
Yes" she told herself. with a dole
full shake Of the head. my eyes are
gray-deep, Interchangeable, unmistakabIe
gray" An unhappy little smile fitted
across her wonderful eyes and the lash
es drooped. A blush. half-dehant and
wholly beautiful, fingered in her cheeks.
II dan't care" she decided. He is
falling in love with me as surely as
yes. as surely as I am finding him the
most lovabe man in the world. He shall
not see the color OF my eyes until
have refused him once. or even twice"
For three weeks, then, Violet Iured
Haldane into a great and wonderful love
dream. She gave him freely Of the
bounty OF her charm and drew him along
with her on the high road to romance.
It was more than difficult to escs pc his
eyes during the days, but so cleveriy did
she maneuver that not once had Haliane
gazed into her eyes IN any save candle
or star light
The third time he told her he loved
her was on the day that he had climbed
the great mountain because he had heard
that she had gone up there to sketch.
II Will not take no." he told her sud
denly. and put his arms firmly about her.
'T will not take no for an answer. You
must marry me dear-I cannot live with
out you and your dear love beside me"
He looked down into the depths OF her
eyes. You are frightened dear-what Is
ft?r
MY eyes, They are gray? Unroman-
tic. cold. unsympathetic gray" she cried
swiftly, and the fear was lost sight Of in
wonderment. .
A slow smile drawned in Halden's eyes.
There was never a more beautiful pair
in all the world" he said softly. Dear
gray eyes,"
CCo7yright, 911l