Part 49 (2/2)
”Nothing,” he answered in a whisper.
”What's the matter, then?”
He took her hand and held it in a cruel grip before he spoke. His words came at last in pa.s.sionate pleading.
”Oh, dear little girl, can't you see how I've been fighting this thing for months--how I've tried to keep away from you and couldn't?”
”Why?”
She breathed the question leaning so close that her lips framed a kiss.
”I can't tell you,” he said.
”But you must! You must!” she pleaded.
Tears were in his eyes now. He looked away.
”A gulf separates us, child.”
”How can it?” she whispered tenderly.
”It's just there!”
”Can't you cross it?”
”No.”
She drew her slender body erect with an effort. She tried to speak twice before she succeeded.
”You--are--married--then?”
”Oh--no--no--not that--no!”
She bent close again, a sweet smile breaking through her tears.
”Then you can tell me what it is.”
”I couldn't tell it, even to my wife.”
Her brow contracted in a puzzled look.
”It's nothing low or dishonorable?”
”No. And it belongs to the big things of life-and death.”
”And I cannot know this secret?”
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