Stella Rosevelt — page 154: what you’re looking at

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

148 A FATAL MISTARE. fortune to carve out. You have no idea Zow poor I am, how dependent, how friendless. You, perhaps, have proud rela- tives; you may occupy a place far above me socially, and your friends might object to your claiming one in my position as your wife.” ‘‘T care nothing for your poverty or dependence, dear,” he returned, tenderly; ‘*it cannot alter the fact that you are the only woman whom I shall ever love well enough to make my wife. But,” he added, with a thoughtful look, ‘‘I forget that Il am almost a stranger to you—that you know nothing of me, that I have told you nothing ——" ‘‘T have not given it a thought,” Star interrupted, earnestly. “T can frust you; I know you are true.” His face grew radiant. “You will never regret your trust, my darling,” he said. ‘‘T_am an artist, Star, but I believe I can take care of you, and promise you that you shall never know the meaning of the words poor and dependent again. Of course I have friends, and—but I will tell you all about them some othertime. I want my promise now—you will give yourself to me, dear?” ‘©Ves,” she breathed, her scarlet lips parting slightly with a. tremulous smile, ‘‘by and by, when I am better fitted to be your—wife. ” He Jonged to take her in his arms and draw her to his heart, and kiss the hps that had promised him the greatest joy he had ever known; but there were other carriages near, and curious eyes all about them; so he could only clasp that small hand more fondly, and murmur low and tender words to tell of the deep, true love of which his heart was full. ‘You. shall indeed go back to England now, my darling,” he said, ‘‘ but never to each. You shall remain here until you have completed your course of study if you wish; then I shall come, before this time next year, and take you to my—our home. . I shall return with a happy heart now, for I shall have ’ EGomichbooks. Go