The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1923-03-28

gill be dreadful. I Shall have to face
It. They won't defend me
Alexander took her hands quickly In
his.
Give me the right :" he said.
Georgina caught her breath. She
looked up at him. There was q won
derful tenderness In his eyes; his face
was the face Of a man inspired.
"Georgina, you have known me only
a little while. But I love you. You are
the only woman in the world for me.
I love you! Do you think you could
care for me-just a little?"
Georgina tried to free herself. ut
is impossible p she said, turning her
face away.
why? Do you not care for me?'
"Oh-it is cruel" gasped Georgina,
brokenly. Il am not Aimee. l am here
under false p~retenses. How can you?
I am"
you are the woma l loye!"
ooh. let me go!" she said wildly.
you are not yourself-you have no
right to say this to me-" sobbed Geor-
gina, you believe that a priest in or
ders may not marry!"
Il never held any such belief. OF
my order, there are some who hold the
view. l am not with them. l am cell
bate, only because l have never loved
till now. Look at me, Georgina :" he
said almost sternly. do you believe
that any human passion would cause
me to do what was against my faith?"
Georgina looked at him through her
tears.
Mo- she whispered, 81 know that
you would not"
Come to me, then, Georgina." he
said, gently. what good there is for
US to do in the world, let US do it hand
in hand. l will make the years won
derful for you. Just tell me that you
care"
He took her masterfully In his arms.
81 do love you!" sobbed G%eorgina.
II love you"
Alexander raised her face and
kissed her.
81 never hoped to hear you say it,"
he said. She felt his heart beating
strongly. you love met"
Il have loved you" said Georgina,
her voice stiled in his coat, from the
first day 1 saw you"
There was a long pause.
ut is greater happiness than l
dreamed of" said Alexander, humbly.
II have not deserved it"
Suddenly he released her and held
her at arms length.
zone thing neither of us shall en-
dure. No subterfuge-no secrecy about
this. 1t is too sacred. We shall make
1t known at once. 1t is you | am think
ing of. Our betrothal must be an
n%ounced," said Alexander decisively,
"and then"
Before there was any time for re-
Election, Fate was upon him in the
shape of Lady Erythea, walking ma
j~estically along the path with her lit
tie Highland terrier at her heels. Al
exander halted.
Aunt" he exclaimed. "Georgina-
I've"
He stopped short.
"What on earth is the matter with
you?" said Lady Erythea, raising her
ear-trumpet.
For once Alexander was at a loss.
He had turned very pale. Georgina
came nobly to his rescue.
alexander" she said family, vet
articulately, has asked me to be his
wife" And, with desperate confusion,
she added-"may II"
The e~ar-trumpet clattered on the
gravel. Lady Erythsa gathered Geor-
gina into a triumphant embrace.
MY dear child,p she exclaimed.
kissing Georgina warmly on both
cheeks, 81 am delighted Lady Fry
thea released her and kissed Alexan-
der. You have made me very. very
happy. The match is in every way
ideal. Alexander. you will have just
such a wife as l should have chosen
for you-and I thought you
/ would have the n to choose n at
all. My dear Aimee, your excellent
father, I am sure. viii be as pleased
about this as I am"
Georgina felt her knees giving way.
She stopped and recovered the ear
trumpet.
"W-would you mind not telling any
body for just a day or two?' she said
desperately. I'VE have told you, but
we-I-feel-'
Lady Erythea smiled.
Foolish, romantic child" she said,
patting Georgina's cheek. well, well
we shall see"
She turned and disappeared towards
the house. The betrothed couple looked
at each other. Alexander squared his
big shoulders.
what on earth will happen now?'
said Georgina family.
Alexander's reply was practical. He
lifted her suddenly off her feet and
kissed her.
II don't care what happens" an
nounced Alexander. And he kissed her
again.
CHAPTER XXI