Part 67 (1/2)

A dull color rose to Cherry Malotte's cheeks; she swallowed as if her throat were very dry, and said, slowly:

”Then she refused you in spite of everything, and you have come to me because of what I told you this afternoon. You are doing this out of pity --or is it because you are angry with her? No, no, Boyd! I won't have it.

I don't want your pity--I don't want what she cast off.”

”It has taken me a long time to find myself, Cherry, for I have been blinded by a vision,” he answered. ”I have been dreaming, and I never saw clearly till to-day. I came away of my own free will; and I came straight to you because it is you I love and shall always love.”

The girl suddenly began to beat her hands together.

”You--forget what I--have been!” she cried, in a voice that tore her lover's heartstrings. ”You can't want to--marry me?”

”To-night,” he said, simply, and held out his arms to her. ”I love you and I want you. That is all I know or care about.”

He found her upon his breast, sobbing and shaking as if she had sought shelter there from some great peril. He buried his face in the soft ma.s.ses of her hair, whispering fondly to her till her emotion spent itself. She turned her face shyly up at length and pressed her lips to his. Then, holding herself away from him, she said, with a half-doubtful yet radiant look:

”It is not too late yet. I will give you one final chance to save yourself.”

He shook his head.

”Then I have done my duty!” She snuggled closer to him. ”And you have no regrets?”

”Only one. I am sorry that I can't give you more than my name. I may have to go out into the world and begin all over if Mr. Wayland carries out his threat. I may be the poorest of the poor.”

”That will be my opportunity to show how well I love you. You can be no poorer than I in this world's goods.”

”You at least have your copper-mine.”