Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1913-09-06

stairs search for possessions left in
the parlor.
The dusk was gathering as she en-
tered the room, the corners OF which
we're already full of darkness, the fire
playing on them with a warm, vary
| ing light. Waves Of radiance quivered
and ran up the ceiling, here and there
| touching the glaze on a picture glass
or china ornament The crude ugli-
unsteady. Transforming combination
OF shadow and glow. II seemed q
rich. romantic spot, flushed with fire
that pulsed on an outer edge Of mys-
ferrous obscurity, a center Of familiar,
intimate life. round which GOODNESS
and the dark pressed.
She thought the room was unoccu-
pied and advanced toward the table.
then started before the uprising Of
Dominick's tall figure from a chair In
a Swallowed corner. II was the first
time they had seen each other alone
since their conversation OF the day
before Rose was startled and agitat-
ed. and her brusk backward move
ment showed IT. Her voice, however,
was natural, almost easy to casual
ness as she said:
Il thought there was no one here,
you've hidden yourself In such a dark
corner. l came to gather UP my books
and things"
He advanced into the light. looking
somberly at her.
IT'S true that you're going to-mor-
row." he said almost grufly.
"Oh, yes, we're really going. Ev-
erything's been arranged. Horses and
sleigh are expected any moment
now from Rocky Bar. They rest here
all night and take US down in the
afternoon. / think papa'd go crazy
II we had to stay twenty-four hours
longer"
"I'll follow in a day or two," he
said. probably go down on Tuesday.
the doctor says"
She began gathering up the books.
reading the titles. and putting aside
those that were not hers.
LII IL
in a preoccupied voice without any
particular regret in IT. The Mil on
the Floss is Mrs. Perley's, l think"
I'm sorry, too." he commented.
very low.
She made no reply, selected another
book. and as she held 1t up looking
at the back, said:
But it's not like a regular good
by. It's not as II you were going in
one direction and We in another. Well
see you in San Francisco, Of course"
Il don't think So" he answered.
She laid the book on the table and
turned her face toward him. He stood
looking into the fire, not seeing the
face, but conscious Of 1t. Of its express
sion, Of its every line.
do you m can that we're not going
to see you down there at all?"
Yes. that's just about what
meant" he replied.
Mr.. Ryan," 1t was hardly more
than a breath Of protest, but 1t was
as stirring to the man as the whis-
per Of love.
He made no comment on II, and she
said, with little more Of insistence
and volume.
But why?"
It's best not" he answered, and
turned toward her
His shoulders were squared and he
held his head as a man does who
prepares himself for a blow. His
eyes, looking straight into hers, en-
veloped her in a glance soft and burn
ing, not a savage glance, but the en-
folding, possessive glance, caressing
and ardent, pleading and masterful, OF
lover.
The books that she was holding fell
to the table, and they looked at each
other Thile the clock licked.
Its best for me not to come" he
said huskily. never to come"
VERY WE'LL" she faltered.
He came a little nearer to her and
said:
you know what / mean"
She turned away, very pale. her lips
trembling.
Anu you ilhe me W COul6 II i
could-if l were free?"
He was close to her and looked
down to see her face. his own hard.
the bones of the Jaw showing through
the thin cheeks.
You'd like me TOT" he urged.
She nodded. her lips too dry to
speak.
20 Rose!" he whispered. q whisper
that seemed to melt the strength Of
her heart and make her unvanQuished,
maiden pride dissolve into feeblenes.
He leaned nearer and. taking her
by the arms Just above the elbows.
drew her to himself. into an embrace,
close and imprisoned. that crushed
her against him. She submitted pas
sively. in q dizzy dream that was mel
Their Joy nor pain, but was like mo-
ment Of drugged unreality. fearful and
beautiful. She was unconscious Of his
lips pressed on her hair, but she felt
the beating of his heart beneath her
cheek.
They stood thus for a moment, ris-
ing above time and space. They
seemed to have been caught up to a
pinnacle Of life where the familiar