Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-10-30
CoDy.1shs 4. q ~ Ouls . %
CHAPTER XXI.
Words Of Love.

Ny hand clasp frightened, and the
long lashes shaded her eyes, conceal>
ing from me the mystery Of their
depths, brighter color flooding her
cheeks. Outlined against the open
port, and the blue Of the water beyond,
the fresh young beauty of her face was
almost q new revelation. The words
she had spoken, her manner, her sud-
den surrender to my wish, perplexed
me. and completely overcame my ef.
fort at self-control.
'sWhy did you ask me that7' ques-
toned, scarcely aware Of my words.
'Whatr',
III / would despise you: would deem
your act unwomanly7"
because I had TO know.
It does not even yet seem right to me-
altogether. Nj could not do such
thing unless you approved"
.You have faith In me, then7"
''Yes-yes; II believe in you"
aAnd you mean you would have re-
fused to take such action II had not
urged 1t upon you, and had failed to
assure you that doing SO would in no
way lower my respect for your"
Her eyes flashed up questioningly
into my face, only to be instantly low
cred again.
Eyes"
.Not even to save your own lief"
IT have always felt there were con-
ditions more to be dreaded than
DEATH" she answered slowly. ''Mere
association, such as you describe this
adventure to be, with Fergus Mccain,
may not be such condition-yet I
shrink from 1t. have chosen my
course, not because 1t may preserve
my life, but for the sake of the others
helpless on board this miserable YES;
sci; because of the crippled man
locked In his own cabin; because Of
the mother praying for him in Phila-
delphia. OH Mr.. Hollis, can you not
understand"
'sVera. why do you question me like
this7 Why should you hesitate, doubt,
when you realize, as you must, that
only through you, and your power over
Mccain, Philip Bascom's life and for
tune can be saved?"
because would not save them at
the cost OF your respect"
..Mine! You think that Of meT
Eyes, she said, and now her eyes
met mine frankly. II think that of
tou, Robert Hollis"
This avowal, quietly, honestly spo-'
KEN. sent the hot blood tingling
through my veins, yet left me for the
moment speeches.. ! Gould not, dare
not hope that her words meant all
they seemed to mean. She must have
read the bewilderment In my face,
for she did not hesitate.>
II realixe how you have looked upon
me from the time Of our first meeting
ON the dark deck Of the Esmeralda,"
she, said, her emotion evidenced only
by7a tremor In the soft voice. II have
been to you q mere girl. No; do not
interrupt with denials, for 1t Is better
I should 60 on. But ! am not child !;
I think and feel as a woman; indeed,
I have cause to believe that my life.
lonely and without companion Of my
own age-has made me older in expe-
rience than mt years. Why do con-
Tess this7 Because believe the time
has come when you should know. !
! am going to carry out your desire;II
am going to outwit Fergus Mccain,
and overcome his villainy. ! am going
7 20 lower myself; renounce my ideals,
for your sake
s.eNftnel oh. no: you cannot mean
that-there are others"
Eyes, there are others. sympathize
With, and am glad to serve them. Yet
their fate alone even my own peril
would never have led me to make this
decision. sIitrust you, and am willing"
.You care, actually care that much
for mef'
as there any disgrace, any unwon1-
anliness In saying SO? We are in des-,
perate stress, all Of us. Even death
may be but few hours away. This is
NO situation to beruled by social con-.
yentlops, or LACK Of franlness In
i speech.i do care for you, Robert Hol.
III; yOu would have known It longer
40 ifsyou were not blind IN such