The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1932-06-10
CHAPTER X
Lee Confesses His Love

time DSIOTe the mirror, QOlIS every
thing she knew TO efface the blOtchy
effe-t of them. Life seemed very dark
and hopeless. She felt that she had
done everything, tried everything, in
her power TO put things right, and that
ii had been utterly unavaiIing. Well,
she had better do as he had said. and
go. And yet she was sure that he was
so near TO loving her. Last night dur
ing the storm, how gentle and dear
he had been. Very willing, too, TO
hold her close in his arms and press
his son.ber face caressingly to her
gold hair. Surely he had loved her
then? Surely il had been love that
had made him unable to bear the tor
ments of jealousy that Jocelyn's lies
had aroused; had made him abandon
plans and engagements, and get into
his powerful car and come post haste
TO her here. TO learn the truth for
himself: And yet, if it were love, he
was utterly unwilling to own it. What
was left for her to do? Just to do as
he had said, she supposed, and leave
him. Should she? Now? Right
away? And let him find her gone
when he got back? The idea held
sway for a while, but somehow she
couldn't bring herself to act upon it.
She knew il was hopeless and yet she
must just see him again before she
went: must let him know that she
was going. But he seemed in
no hurry TO get back TO her. She
waited tea till six and dinner till near
" nine. Still he didn't come So
dinner was a lonely meal that evening,
that seemeL to be threatening choke
her with each mouthfuL Then the
thought struck her that he did not
intend TO come back. No, thai could
not very well be, because he had
taken none of his things. Oh, well.
whether he came back or not. she
would go tomorrow morning; first
thing Back to her father, COM essing
that failure she had told Jim she
would not confess.
She went to her room and began
gathering her belongings, ready for
packing in the morning. Packing
some of them now; feeling wretchedly
unhappy; her heart aching as it
never had ached before.
She was engaged in this way, when
suddenly she heard him return. She
Strengthened up and stood rigidly still
at the sound of his steps. He came
straight TO her door and opened il
x1-irbo1,, rraliuoipa riac of opr sort chr1t
it behind him and leaned back against
il. She was startled at sight of his
face for she haa never seen him look
just as he was looking now.
What are you doing?" he demanded,
his voice strained and queer.
Packing" she answered. I'm 60
ing"
ITO leave me?"
Yes You told me to-
Their eyes met in look that held.
Suddenly he came toward her;
caught her arms, looked down into
her face with burning eyes, and said:
You're not. Do you understand?
And don't ever shut me out again; as
you did this afternoon. Don't.
D'yOu hear?" The words were shak-
ing from his lips as if the emotion
that prompted him were threatening
TO rend him.
You've beaten me, Lucy. l was
lying to you when / said that / didn't
long for you I'm mad with
longing for you. You've worked
your woman-power on me and beaten
me / love you +. Love you"
The repetition came with an emphasis
that made the words sound curiously
desperate, as if ii were indeed sur
render of all his strength.
"JimI Is this true?" she asked. and
her heart was knocking hard in her
breast.
''TrueT' He laughed, oddly. "True?
When I'm so mad for YOU that l can't
think of anything else? When
your face comes between me and
everything / try to do? When I'm
giddy drunk with the nearness
of you. TrueT' He laughed
again in the same way and the strength
of his hands around Ler arms was so
great that it was painful. suddenly
he pulled her close Love you?
Do love you. q he cried
in a low, broken voice. "Tll show you
how / low: you. I'll show you
how true ii is :" His arms went
wholly round her and he crushed her
up to him, so that she could scarcely
breathe. Then she found his face
close upon hers, and his kisses on her
hair, on her cheeks, on her throat i. &.
Jim Jim :" she faltered
Love you? Do love you :. !"
Words fell from his lips in a tor
rent OF passion, and then went to
silence as his lips closed down upon
hers.
A timeless moment passed, while
she stood there crushed in his arms;
unable to move; almost unable to
breathe for the passionate strength of
him. She was lost in the ecstasy of
his kisses; lost in the heaven of his
love; her heart beat out sheer rapture
in her breast.
He raised his head presently, a
queer. triumphant laugh breaking
from him; hen looked down into her
face, trs:n. to see her eyes. But she
kept them lowered, until, with a hand
beneath her chin, he forced her to
look up at him.
You asked me whether II was
true :" he said, unsteadily. as it,
LucyY