Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1917-04-13

NOHlptnlHR--nO oHe NouIu HuNe sHiu
lust what-seemed to talk for him to
poor defenseless Nan. She hesitated
helplessly, 81 can't leave uncle" she
objected at last.
TASK him TO come along"
Her eyes huttered about the dImly
lighted .,all. Il ought not to leave.
"lll stay here ut the door while you
60
hresolute she let her eyes rest
again for "A fraction Of Il second on his
eyes when she drew II breath after
that pause everything was over. I'D
better give him his medicine first" she
said, looking toward the sickroom door.
His monosyllablc answer was calm:
"Do." Then as she laid her hnnd on
the knob of the door to enter the room: :
"Can | help anyw
"Oh, nor she cried Indignantly.
He laughed silently; "Tll stay here
Nan disappeared. Lounging against
the wlndowslll opposite the door, he
waited. After Il long time the door
was stenthlly reopened. Nan tiptoed
out. She closed II softly behind her:
II waited for him to 90 to sleep she
explained as she started down the cor
rldor with De Spnin. Hes had so
much pain today hope he sleeps
~ hope so, too" exclaimed De Spnin
fervcntly
Nan ignored the implication. She
looked straight ahead. She had moth
ing to say, De Spain, walking beside
her, devoured her with his eyes; lis
tened to her footballs; tried to make
talk; hut Nan was silent.
Standing on the wide veranda out
side the front door, she assented to
the benuty Of the distant Illumination,
but not enthusiastically. De Spain
declared 1t could be seen very much
better from the street below. Nan
thought she could see very well where
they stood But by this time she was
answering questions-dryly, 1t Is true,
and In monosyllables, but answering.
De Spnln leading the way step or
two forward ut time, coaxed her
down the driveway.
She stood again irresolute, he drink
Ing in the fragrance Of her presence
inter the long separation and playing
her reluctance guardedly. DO you
know" she exclaimed with sudden re-
sentiment, you make 1t awfully hard
to be mean to your?
With a laugh he caught her hand
and made her walk down the hospital
steps. You may be AS mean as you
like he answered indillerently. "Only,
never usk me to be mean to you"
II wish TO heaven you would be-"
she retorted.
"Do you remember" he asked, "what
we were doing a year ago today"
mo Before he could speak again
she changed her answer. Eyes, | do
remember. If said no you'd be sure
to remind me of what we were doing.
We cunt see us well here as we could
from the steps"
but from here, you have the best
view In Sleepy Cat Of Music mountain"
1--WE didn't come out here to see Mu-
sic mountain"
~ come here often TO look at It. You
won't let me see you-what can | do
but look at where you llve2 How long
are you going TO keep me away?
Nan did not answer. He urged her
to speak. "Yon know very well II IS
my people that will never be friendly
with YOU she replied. GLOW can /
be1"
They were passing lawn settee.
He sat down. She would not follow.
She stood in a sort Of protest at his
side, but he lid not release her hand,
an tell you how you can be-" he re-
turned. Make me one of your people"
THAT never can be- she declared
stubbornly. You know ii as well as
do. Why do you say such thingsf"
she demanded, drawing away her hand.
do you want to know
mo"
"lt's because love you"
She strove to command herself.
"Whcthcr you do or not can't make
any difference" she returned steadily.
I'VE are separated by everything.
There's gulf between us. II never
can be crossed. We should both of
w be wretched If II ever were crossed"
He had risen from the bench and
caught her hand. ITS because we
haven't crossed 1t we're wretched," he
said detcrminedly. Gross II with me
now" He caught her In his arms.
She struggled to escape. She knew
what was coming and fought to keep
her face from him With resistless
strength, and yet carefully as mother
with an obstinate child, he held her
slight body against his breast, relent-
lessly drawing her head closer. Let
me ~. Slt iluatSui thlNtluS llcE uNcIt-
ed head from the hollow of his arm.
Drinking in the wine of her frightened
breath, he bent over her In the dark
ness until his pulsing eagerness linked
her warm lips to his own She had
surrendered TO her first kiss.
He spoke. 1.-THE CUFFS crossed. Are
..11 L. 4
They sank together down on the
bench. what" she faltered, twill be-
come Of me now?'
you are better off now than you
ever were, Nan. You've gained this
moment a big brother. a lover you can
drag around the world after you with
a piece of thread
"You act as II could"
81 mean It; It's true. I'm pledged to
you forever-you, to me forever. Wen
keep our secret till we can manage
D .hip,v. and u.a will tnonaua tba,n Esu