Page:The leopard's spots - a romance of the white man's burden-1865-1900 (IA leopardsspotsrom00dixo).pdf/456

 and a tearful good-bye forever, or the full surrender of her woman's soul and body to the dominion of his love?

He was glad the hour had struck that should decide. He trembled at the import of her answer but he was ready to receive it.

A carriage rolled into the jail enclosure and two young ladies alighted. One of them stopped in the sitting room for visitors, and he heard the tramp of a man's heavy feet on the stairs and after it the tread of a woman like a soft echo.

The key grated in the lock, the door opened. She looked into his eyes for just an instant of searching soul revelation, saw the yearning and the grateful tears, and with a glad cry sprang into his arms.

"You do love me!" she passionately cried.

"Love you? I drew you back across the sea with my love. I knew you would come. I willed it with a power you couldn't resist."

"I never got your letters, and I was hungry to see you," she whispered.

"And I never got yours, and drew you back by the power of a great heart purpose."

"Forgive me, for being away from you when you were in danger."

"I was glad you were safe. Don't let this jail alarm you. I'll be out too soon for my good I'm afraid."

"No other woman has come into your heart to cheer it even with her friendship since I've been away, has she?"

"What a silly question. I've never looked at any other woman since the day I first saw you!"

"Tell me you love me again!"

"I—love—you, unto the uttermost, in life, in death, forever!" he whispered tenderly.

She sighed and smiled. "The sweetest music the ear of a woman ever heard!" she half laughed, half cried.