The Washington herald., 1914-06-14

II was mad to think Of such q plan"
She did not answer for . moment r~p
great tears slowly welled to her eyes, rested on
the fringe Of lashes . moment then sPashed
erently.
81 see a face" she murmured softly, her
voice very low and far away. ~ see q face and
scene that is different from the one you see. |
see Manila-home-loved ones-loved ones griev-
ing for girl they think is lost to them for
ever. l see q man, the handsomsst, bravest,
truest man in the worid-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 in defense of his country's honor and
the honor of 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 l am imprisoned here
She stopped, her eyes large and luminous
and far away as though the scene was actually
mirrored in the ball. Slowly she continued.
And do not care for anything except his
happiness. i do not for freedom, do not
care for anything except his happiness. He is all
l have to love- He is my whole world. 1 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 have to
give except my gratitude. Take it and help me
to the man love-"
He took the necklace, turning it idly about
in his hands, then hungriy lifted his eyes to her
face, as though inanimate beauty was q thing
Of account in comparison. He took her arm
paths to a deep, ounken well. before which he
paused, . curious smile upon his lips.
at is the Wishing Well" he murmured. "the
Wishing Well before which all who have looked
into the crystal ball and that their heart
most desires must kneel and make request. 1t 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,
~ cannot wish, my lady, for all that life holds
dear, all that life might promise hss gone from
cut my heart and left me nothing but ashes.
Look into the Wishing Well. my lady, and make
request" =
fearful of the magic powers he sseribed to it
knelt while he stood over her, staring longingly
at her exquisite figure, the beautiful face mir
rored so plainly back at him by the huahed wa
ters. She casped 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 shall ask for nothing more. Do
with me as you desire but grant my only wish
she rose obsdisntiy, her eyes glowing like tswels
at the privilege Of barring slf ths 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 1t gently about her neck.
~One look in your eyes," he said softly, his
mellow voice breaking under tho torment OF
what he knew to be . hopeless love is more
beautiful, more rare, more precious TO me than
hours when my soul suhers because hsvs been
faithleo 10 the man revsrence and love. Come"
Lucille stooped swi1sly pluosdng rose from
the bush beside her snA impulsively hisng II to
her lips snd cruahing thsm against ths petals.
Blushing with confusion, she offered IT to him.
He took II reverently. staring at the dew drop
upon one Of fts petals. A miraculous dew drop,
for the grass was dry aud 10 other liquid dia.
Slowly, silntiy, yst N perfect undssstapdr
In. they AoSyk pl6 - ~ houS