American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1917-12-14
CHAPTER XXI.



cheeks. Outlined against the open
port, and the blue Of the water beyond,
the fresh young beauty Of her face was
almost a 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.
why did you ask me that" l ques-
toned, scarcely aware of my words.
"What?"
IF would despise you; would deem
your act unwomanly7"
"Because-because / had to know.
1t does not even yet seem right to me
altogether. II could not do such a
thing unless you approved"
You have faith in me, them"
"Yes-yes; II believe In YOU"
And you mean you would have re-
fused to take such action If l had not
urged 1t upon you, and had failed to
assure you that doing so would In no
way lower my respect for you?"
Eyes"
Not even to a V your own life7"
II have always felt there were con-
ditions more to be dreaded thar
DEATH" she answered slowly. "Mere
association, such as you describe this
adventure to be, with Fergus Mccain.
may not be such a condition-yet l
shrink from 1t. l 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"
Vera, 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 savedT'
Because l would not save them at
the cost of your respect"
"Minel You think that of mer"
Eyes" she said, and now her eyes
me- mine frankly. II think that OF
you, Robert Hollis"
This avowal, quietly, honestly spo-
ken, sent the hot blood tingling
through my veins, yet left me for the
moment speeches..
II realize 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
by a tremor In the soft voice. II have
been to you a mere girl. No; do not
interrupt with d~enials, for it is better
l should go o. But l am not a child
l think and feel as a woman indeed,
l have cause to believe that my life
lonely and without companion of my
W age-has made me older in expe-
rience than my years. Why do l con-
TESS this? Because l believe the time
has come when you should know. 1
am going to carry out your desire; 1
am going to outwit Fergus Mccain,
and overcome his villainy. l am going
to lower myself; renounce my ideals,
for your sake"
"Minel oh, no; you cannot mean
that-there are Others"
yes, there are others. l sympathize
with. and am glad to serve them. Yet
their fate alone-even my W peril
would never have led me to make this
decision. l trust you, and am willing"
you care, actually care that much
for mel"
rs there any disgrace, any unwom-
anliness in saying sol We are In des-
perate stress, all of us. Even death
may be but a few hours away This is
no situation to be ruled by social con-
ventions, or lack Of frankness In
speech. / do care for you, Robert Hol-
lis; you would have known It longer
ago If you were not blind in such
things. You have cared for me ever
since we were In the boat together. Is
this not so?"
Eyes, but l never thought"
"Of course not you are not the sort
of man who would. You have not
made a life study of women; perhaps
that is why trust you so thoroughly.
Tiff you had made love to me. Rob
ert Hollis, l would have laughed at
you but-but now l do not feel like
laughing at ALL"
You do love met You-you love
me?"
'Oh, you mustn't compel me to say
that! 1t is enough to confess l care:
that am interested. If il was not for
the desperate chance l am about 10
take, l should never have said these
words. We simply must understand
you and l. cannot go to Fergus Nc
Cam pretending to yield TO his desires.
to conform to his wishes. without Won
comprehend first Of all that | do This
not even TO save my own life. but
because l love you"
"You love me7 You really love me- ,"