Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1915-12-10

Rossmund nung herself down on the
couch.
or course he followed he2 Nov,
Rosamund, see herel" This time he
succeeded In getting her hand. you've
simply got to come. Why, you'll make
that crowd starel There isn't one Of
them that can come anywhere nsar
you. for looks. I'll be awfully proud Of
you"
Why" Her hand moved In his,
with the slightest possible caress. Size
put something into her blue eyes that
made them burn with tenderness.
Hall drew her gently toward him,
and whispered: Come over here, and
I'll tell you"
She hesitated a second, then permit
ted closer contact, arranging It 80
that she could look up at him dream.
lily. We'll, what?" Now her eyes
went down. Her fingers worked nerv.
ously. Very fine work, for that sort OF
. girl.
His arm frightened about her, he
drew her head still nearer his. One in
slant she protested mutely, then, with
= sigh she shut her eyes and shivered.
Hall kissed her once, twice-thrice.
She clutched his hand tightly
When she did raise her lids, 1t was
to look at him with big, pleading, WON
doring eyes. There were tears IN
thsm-almost. what do you want to
kiss me for, HALF"
He kissed her again. why shouldn't
I want TOT"
The time had come. She Jumped -
her feet. Hall. I'm goingl l can't
ever come here again. You've spoiled
sverything7 It's only fun for you,
but-but +" she ehoksd q sob-"but
can't play At it, that way!" She
turned and walked to the window.
"Oh, I'm sorry-really. Hall walked
toward her again. II didn't mean"
"Oh, I care too much, I'm afraid"
she sobbed, and sat down mournfully,
refusing to look at him.
You mean - Rosamund!" He
stopped, bit his lip and looked at her
ksenly. Rosamund could not be awak-
ward or ridiculous. The dedalian gods
had granted her the superb gift Of
grace. She sat in limp, detected but
perfectly graceful attitude, a picture
of grief and wounded pride. A keener
man would have looked for more aban-
don in her woe. touch of the gro
tssqueness Of despair, something Of
convincing intensity. Perhaps Hall
himself, at any other time, when his
mind was free, might have had a sus-
picion that all was not genuine. But
now he saw only q woman who loved
him tenderly, and on whose emotion
he had carslessly played. A wave of
tenderness for her swept over him
regret for his having touched her
keen nerve; but it was eolored. also.
with the pride Of the male in his con-
quest. The chase had already excited
him. She was there, beautiful and
fond, his viotim-conQuered by his
force Of personality. Try as he might
to subdus this baseness. his sgotism
rose triumphant over his sympathy.
The woman was his!
Then. with the thought, q lightning
flashed in his brain. Here was the
thing to do! He must be married be-
fore midnight. Why not Rosamund
for his bridsf She was ready, willing
to be won, affsctionats, a beauty whom
he could be proud to exhibit a. his
wife. Mrs. Royalton might give him
prestige, introduce him to \ smart set,
present him, as her dover, with infiu-
snce and position; but where would
she be beside the compelling beauty of
Rosamund Gale? Carolyn, perhaps,
was better fitted to be his mats-shs,
TOO. was Of the socially elect, and she
had youth. YOUTH Had not Rosa.
mund the full fragrance of its charmsf
All this In \ whirling instant-thsn
with = swift rush, he had her In hts
embrace.
"Rosamund, dear Rosamund!" he a.
claimed softly, II did mean i'll want
you, dear! Let me love you'll" How
careful he was to be honestl II want
you-for my wife, Rosamundl l must
have you'll" He held her tight and
close: he kissed her more and more
fsrvently.
Slowly, slowly, she lifted her blue
eyes to his. Really. Hall? Really?.
Smiling through her tears, she nestled
close.
Then you do really love me. Rose
mund?" Hall asked, after . minute Of
demonstration.
"Oh, HALL" She ran her fingers
through his hair.
Hall had q queer new sensation Of
pleasure. So far he had thought only
of his marriage and his millions; but,
with Rosamund warm and soft In his
arms. her hair In his eyes, her heart
beating 80 nsar-kosamund had made
him forget, for . minute. Fot the mo-
msnt, II not in love with her, he was a
least fascinated. She set his blood
afre. His eagsrness was not all dis
stimulation, when he said:
Then We must be married immsdk
atsly! can't wait. Rosamund. Whats
the use of being engaged? want you
now-today!"
CTo BE coNTINUnD.)