The Cairo bulletin., 1914-04-09

had seen her clear blue eyes fill with
tears as be gazed into them from the
rail above.
.Oh, ny dcar!" he cried What IL
it?"
She put her handkerchief TO her
eyes as she quickly turned away, In
another instant she was smiling up
at him, a soft. pleading little smile
that went straight to his heart.
Shall we start back?" she asked
a quaver in her voice.
No. he exclaimed. i've got to
go on with II now. Hetty. didn't
intend to, but--come, let US go up and
sit on that familiar old log in the
shade of the mill. You must, dear!"
She suffered him to lead her up
the steep bank beyond and through
the rocks and rotten timber to the
great beam that protruded from the
shattered foundations of the mill.
The rickety old wheel, weather.beaten
and sad, rose above them and threat
ened to topple over il they SO much
as touched its flimsy supports.
lie did not release her hand after
drawing her up beside him.
you must know that | love you.'
he said simply
She made no response. Her hand
lay limp in his. She was staring
straight before her.
You do know it. don't your" he
went on.
'I--God knows | don't want you to
love me. | never meant that you
should" she was saying, as IL to
herself
Il suppose It's hopeless" he said
dumbly, AS her voice trailed off In a
whisper
Yes, it is utterly hopeless" she
said, and she was white to the lips.
II shan't say anything more, .
said he. "Of course, | understand
how 1t Is. There's some one else, Only
: | want you to know that / love you
with all my soul, Hetty. IL don't
see how I'm going to get on without
you. But IL won't distress you,
dear"
"There isn't anyone else, Brandon"
she said in very low voice. Her fin
gers frightened on his in sort OF des-
peration. 81 know what you are think
ing. 1t isn't Leslie. 1t never can
be Leslie"
"Then- then" he stammered, the
| blood surging back into his heart
there may be a chance"
mo, mol" she cried, almost vehe-
mently. 81 can't let you go on hoping.
| 1t is wrong-so terribly wrong. You
must forget me. You must"
4, He seized her other hand and held
them both firmly, maeterfully.
See here, my--look at me, dearest!
What is wrong? Tell me! You are
unhappy. Don't be afraid to tell me-
You-you do love mel"
She drew long breath through her
half-closed lips. Her eyes darkened
| with pain.
mo. | don't love you. Oh, | am
so sorry to have given you"
He was almost radiant TELL me
the truth" he cried triumphantly
Don't hold anything back, darling
| II there is anything troubling you. lei
( me shoulder it. can--I will do any
! thing Ia the world for you. Listen
know there's mystery somewhere
have felt it about you always
have seen It In your eyes, | have al
| ways sensed it stealing over me whef
Pm with you--this strange, bewilder
ing atmosphere Of"
Hush! You must not say anything
| more" She cried out. Il cannot low,
you. There Is nothing more to b,
| said"
But | know It now. You do Low,
me. ! could shout 1t to-" The mis-
cradle. whipped expression In her eye,
checked this outburst He was strucl
by it, even dismayed. MY deares
4 one. my love-" he said, with infinit,
tenderness. what is it? Tell me?"
He drew her to him. His arm wen
about her shoulders. The final thrill
of ecstasy bounded through his veins
The feel of her! The wonderful
subtle, feminine feel OF her! Hi
brain reeled in new and vast whir
of intexication.
She sat there very still and unre
sistiag, her hand to her lips. utterini
no word, scarcely breathing. .Ha waii