Page:Flaming Youth black on red.pdf/271

 FLAMING

YOUTH

267

“When can you come with me, Dee?” “With you? Where?” “To England. The divorce can be arranged, and our marriage follow. You can trust me.” “Oh, yes; I can trust you,” she answered dully. “Then, when?”

“I can’t go with you, Stanley.” “Can’t?” he repeated incredulously. ‘When I can feel your pulse leap when I touch your hand, when " “I love you with every breath I take,” she cried low and passionately. She snatched her hands from his grip, wreathed them back of his head, drew his lips down upon hers. “I’ve never dreamed what it could be to love as I love you.” “Come with me,” he said. The wife looked about her like a trapped creature. “T’ve got to make him understand,” she muttered to herself in travail of spirit. “I’ve got to make him see and— and help me. Stanley,” she pleaded, “be kind to me and don’t stop me till I’ve finished telling what I’ve got ta tell.” She related the accident and its sequel in few and simple words. For a time of pulse-beats Wollaston was silent, then: “Poor devil!” he murmured. “Poor, poor devil!” ‘So, you see, dear love——”

“TI see nothing but that we belong to each other. You can’t deny that kiss and what it means. You can’t let me go back alone, Dee. . . . Shall I stay?” “Oh, no!

I couldn’t bear it.”

Now.

“For God’s sake, Stanley, don’t!

Don’t kiss me.”

was me

No!

“Then you must come with me.

fighting for strength, for breath. 2?

To-night.”

“Don’t

She

make