Page:Arthur Stringer - Twin Tales.djvu/247

This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
THE LOST TITIAN
237

again their glances had met and locked, and he seemed to drink courage from the quietness of her eyes. "Why couldn't I see you?"

"See me?" she echoed.

"Without them knowing it," he explained, paling under his tan.

She stood silent a moment.

"Where?" she finally asked, in little more than a whisper.

"What's the matter with that old arbor of yours at the foot of the garden?" he suggested.

He still misunderstood her hesitation, for it was resolution and not timidity which was so completely whitening her face.

"Why couldn't you meet me there, about nine o'clock to-night?"

"That would be too early," she said, bewilderingly composed.

"Then say ten," he persisted, marveling at his own unpremeditated deadly earnestness; and still again she stood silent. But she found the courage to lift her intent eyes and let them rest on his face. It seemed significant of tremendous capitula-