The daily sentinel., 1914-07-08

81 was mad to think of such plan"
She did not for moment Two
great tears slowly welled TO her eyes rested on
the fringe of lashes moment then splashed
upon his hand. He stared at them stupidly, rev.
erently.
81 SEQ q face" she murmured softly, her
voice very low and far away. 'I face and a
scene that is different from tho one you see. I
Manila-home-loved ones-loved ones griev-
ing for u girl they think is lost TO them for
l see n man, the handsomest, bravest,
truest man in the word-the man love He Is
disgraced. He is heart broken. He Is giving up
the sword he loved. the sword he swore to never
lift save In defense of his oountry's honor and
the honor of a woman. He is giving up all that
life holds dear to him. just he has long since
been bereft of all he cared TO have from life,
because j am imprisoned here"
She stopped her eyes large and luminous
and far away as though the was actually
mirrored in the ball. Sowly she continued.
"And do not for anything except his
happiness l do not for freedom, do not
care for anything except his happiness. He is all
1 have to love. He is my whole world. | would
sacrifice everything for him and for his honor.
She turned swiftly, her hands reaching toward
her neck and unfastening the ruby necklace
Here my friend take this. 1t is all l have to
give except my gratitude Take it and help me
TO the man | love"
He took the necklace turning 1t idly about
in his hands, then hungrily lifted his eyes to her
face, though inanimate beauty was thing
of account in comparison He took her arm
again and thoughtfully led her. round devious
paths, to deep, sunken well. before which he
paused, curious smile upon his lips.
"It is the Wishing Well" he murmured the
Wishing Well before which all who have looked
into the crystal ball and seen that their heart
most desires must kneel and make request. II Is
the legend, but, ah -" He turned away to hide
the swift contortion of jealousy and pain that
suffused his face. "But l." he continued quietly,
81 cannot wish, my lady, for all that life holds
dear, all that life might promise has gone from
out my heart and left me nothing but ashes.
Look into the Wishing Well, my lady, and make
request"
fearful OF the magic powers he ascribed to IL,
knelt while he stood over her, staring longingly
at her exquisite figure, the beautiful face mir
rored so plainly back at him by the hushed wa
ters. She clasped her hands.
"oh, Wishing Well. let me but hold in my
hands the honor of my sweetheart that may
give it back to him, let me but serve his hap
piness and I shall ask for nothing more. Do
with me as you desire but grant my only wish.
He touched her lightly upon the arm and
she obedienty, her eyes glowing like jewels
at the privilege of barring all the emotion that
had been locked within her heart, with never
chance for expression. Lightly he tossed the
ruby necklace up and down in his palm, then
placed it gently about her neck.
"One look in your eyes, he said SOFTLY his
mellow voice breaking under the torment OF
what he knew to be hopeless love, 'is more
beautiful more rare, more precious to me than
any Jewel And l shall treasure each look in the
hours when my soul suffers because / have been
faithless TO the man reverence and love. Come"
Lucille stopped swiftly, plucking rose from
the bush beside her and impulsveiy lifting it to
her lips and crushing them against the petals
Blushing with confusion, she offered 1t to him
He took it reverently, staring at the dew drop
for the grass was dry and no other liquid da-
mond sparked anywhere about"
Slowly. silently, yet in perfect understand
ing, they moved back TO the house