The Lamar register. [volume] (Lamar, Colo.) 1889-1952, 1913-01-22

HIs Dark. Eager Face Was Near
hem her very closely in-too closely
as. drawing back. she touched the hard
rocky wall!
'Why?" Still endeavoring to regard
him as II the charge could only be pre-
posterous, too unreasonable to an
swer, she was. nevertheless. conscious
Of the flame on her face-tacit rsfuta-
ton Of the denials in her eyesl
"Why?" she repeated.
THAT is just what was asking my.
self when l saw you. my Lady"
And. Of course, knowing there
could be no-that it was too senseless
-" The words she was searching for
failed her; she looked toward the path
over the neck Of rock. but he con-
dnued to stand between 1t and her.
Il have heard the story in all its de-
tails; all that passed at the Mount,
while Nanette was there. And" in
stead Of having undermined his belief.
she felt she had only strengthened 1t.
Il am sure you went to the Monastery
st. Ranulphe, moving"
You are sure!" she interrupted
quickly. ut wasn't long ago you were
sure 1t was who betrayed you, and"
Il was wrong, then; but" his eyes
wrong now"
Behind her. my lady's hand closed
hard on the rock.
Deny It'll" his voice went on. '.In
SO many wordsl"
"Why should II" She caught her
breath quickly. II denied something
to you once. and you did not believe"
I'll believe you now!"
II should feel very much hattered, I
am sure; but after" A spark Of de-
fiance began to CLEAN in her eyes.
You are sure one moment, and not,
the next! You are ready to believe,
or not to believed" More certain now,
she lifted her head; she, whose assur-
ance and wit had never failed her at
court, would not be put to confusion
by him!
His answer was unexpected; to her;
to himself. Perhaps 1t was the peas
ant-the untamed half-peasant-in his
blood that caused It; that made a sud-
den, unceremonious act, his reply! Ho
caught both her hands; drew her to
him. He knew she could never care
for him-she, the beautiful ladyi But
he forgot himself for the moment;
thought only Of what she had done;
her courage, her fineness, her delicate
loneliness! Her life for his. To pay
fancied debt, perhaps? And all the
while he had thought Self-reproach-
es fell from his lips; were followed by
holder, more daring words. All he
would have said the night on the
beach, when he had borne her from
the fiery rock to the ship. now burst
from him; all he had felt when he
had held her in his arms-motionless
unresisting, the still, white face up
turned, offering itself freely to his
gaze!
At the neck Of the rock, beneath his
,, feet. the waves Numbered; near them,
| wild birds circled, wheeled and were
borne on by the strong breath Of the
wind. Had he spoken; what had he
| said? A gradual consciousness of the
i beating of the sea smote his senses,
as with rhythmical regularity it arose.
| He listened; slowly in his eyes that
| light that manufactured, as 1t
were, It's OWu-WdS TSrldCeQ Oy an
other; his hands released hers. My
lady made no sound; her proud lips
trembled. Very pale, she leaned back.
So silence heightened. Pardon, my
LADY," he said at last, very humbly.
ut had not occurred to me my secret
was not safe; that I, master Of ships
and men, should not be master of my
self! But l had not expected to be
alone with your Ladyship, and" q
SHADOW OF smile crossed the strong.
reckless face, your Ladyship can
weigh the provocation! If the excuse
VIII not serve, 1 have none other to
oHer. Certainly, will 1 retract moth
ing: What's said. is said, and-no lies
will unsay It'll"
He looked at the water; the tide
was nearly in; he turned. She would
never see him again. for which she
mou1g De very glad. since the sight of
(COncluded nm naoo ~