The Price He Paid — page 25: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

16 A DARK SPOT, young, she has hitherto seen life’s sunny side only —and there are no limits to my love for her.” Max shrugged his shoulders in a way which lainly said that the last reason appeared to him highly unsatisfactory. “Bvery man to his taste!” he said, coolly. “This limitless love would not exactly be mine, and, so far as I see, there is very little to be gained by it. But”—he stood up—“it is time for me to go on duty, for I see the flutter of a light garment out yonder near those elder-bushes, and a glow on your countenance as though the seventh heaven had opened to your delighted vision. George. do me one favor, lentreat. Let not the fact altogther escape your mind that there is sucha thing as the noon- day hour, and that ordinary mortals are accus- tomed then to take a repast. An extremely un- practical idea of yours, this rendezvous justin the middle of the day! I hope you will not let me per- ish from starvation, as a reward for my self-denying friendship.” Having thus delivered himself, Max Brunnow beat a retreat. Young Winterfield hardly heard what he said. He was intently watching the slight, slender figure of a girl who now approached from the outskirts of the wood. She came swiftly and eracefully over the grass toward him, and in a few minutes stood at his side. “Here I am, George. Have you been waiting long? It really seemed as if I should not get away to-day unnoticed, and I very nearly gave up the attempt: altogether. But it would have been too cruel to let my knight languish here in vain. I believe you would never, never have forgiven me, if I had let you depart without a solemn farewell.” George held fast the little hand, which after the first sight pressure sought to withdraw itself, and ay was a reproachful accent in his voice, as he sald: | “Ts this separation so light a thing to you, Gabri- elle? Have you no other words for me at parting than these teasing quips and jests?” The young lady looked up in surprise. GEomicbooks (E(0).