Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1919-03-06
CHAPTER XIV.
Looks That Speak.

lf ever there was q badly frightened
man, 1t was Tom Kingsbury as he felt
Marjory's limp form fall fainting into
his arms.
OF the ways Of women Tom knew
little. Never before had he had such
u situation TO deal with, and the big
fellow turned as red as fire with en-
barrassment while he actually trem-
bled. fearing tina, ihe girl was going
to die and realizing that he had blum
dered into some kind OF mistake.
He cast one helpless glance about
him and then. realizing that he had to
act, being too far rom the house to
obtain aid, did what any one would
have done.
A brook .umDicu town over the hill
side From that he brought water in
his soft hot and. damping his hand
kerchief, bathed the white cheeks.
Miss Hocomb,' he begged as the
girl lay Il limp heap against his shoul.
der. and with the other hand he
pressed the handkerchief to her fore.
head.
Again and again he called her by
name. and when IA feeble sigh parted
her lips and there was just faint
flicker of the eyelids, he felt that
load had been lifted from his heart.
In his ineXperience he made him
self believe the situation a thousand
times worse than it was. Once he
thought to seize her in his arms and
race for the house; and then he
searched, when he knew it was no
use. for flask which, on rare occa-
sions, he carried in his pocket.
But all the time-for all the fear
he felt-he had the feeling that the
blood in his veins was on fire. The
fragrance of her being was like wine
to HI; nostrils. Her slender body,
pressed close to his, brought
thought of ownership such as he had
never in all his life felt before.
Eagerly he watched the touch of
color grow in her cheeks. His eyes
marked the delicate curve of the lips,
the heavy lashes, like fine tracery up
OH the white skin, the softness of the
hair. and the entrancing curl of
stray loci, which half covered one lit
tie ear.
Such thoughts were subconscious
but yet very real Uppermost in his
mind Was alarm. fear for her, chagrin
that he should have been the cause of
her fainting.
Suddenly her lips parted in a deep
breath, her bosom lifted and fell, and
the tN big dark eyes opened in a
questioning stare to rest upon his face
so close that her breath famed his
check.
Its all right? You're all right?"
he begged.
Yes" she whispered, and he was
SO relieved TO find that she was able
to speak again that he drew her even
closer to him.
She looked away, down up5er the
trees, and made no move TO. what, to
| him, was long, delicious moment of
relief ant JOY.
Then she looked up straight into
| his eyes, and suddenly she was con-
| acious of his arm and flat her head
"as upon his shoulder.
She Strengthened, deeper flush
touched her olive CHEEKS, ard she
| started to, her feet.
Don't, don't" he begged. leaping
up. ":slt still--you n,lst"
She sank back an" looked at him
long and quietly.
u tainted. What in t-e world can
you think Of me?"
II think you are the brGvest-" but
words failed him with confusion. I'm
a big lump" he growled. I've
messed things up, bungled. and got
into no end of trouble doing nothing.
! One bull and then another. What a
darned fool / was to think that you
were in that buggy"
He flung the words at her, trying to
cover his confusion and at ihe same
time make amends for his blunder.
But he saw that he had awakened
thoughts that had fled as Marjory lost
consciousness.
"Mr. Kingsbury!" she cried and
threw out her hand.
Again" he growled. ooh, what
fool! Come; are you able to walk
Well get back to the house. Ill go
| sha'n't bother you any more."
Slowly she shook her head and
with eyes big and wistful, she studied
the shafts of sunlight under the trees
"Sit down. please" she said slowly
1T was very silly of me to faint
there was no cause, no reason why
should have done so."
He sat down. She had asked hin
To-. and there was nothing to do bu
obey
| For long. long moment she leane'
forward. elbow on knee. chin In hand
and her eyes looked into the distanc'