Rising, he drew her hands down and gazed passionately into her eyes. “I have come to love you so much, Ethel, that I dare not even think of it. It takes my breath away. Every drop of blood in my body cries out for you--cries, cries constantly. I have never dared to hope, not for a moment. I know what Mr. Peterson has to offer you. He can give you everything that the world values. I cannot see where my future duty may call me, but I am sure that I can't strive for the accumulation of a great fortune. So even if I _could_ win your love I could not feel that I had a right to it. Many persons think I am a fanatic, and if I am--well, I ought not to influence you to link your life to mine. As you say, I have suffered, and I have borne it so far, but whether I can possibly bear to see you the--the wife of another man remains to be proved. I am afraid that would drag me down. I think I would really lose faith in God--in everything, for I can't help loving you. You are more to me than life--more than Heaven.” “You mustn't desert me, Paul.” Ethel raised his hand to her lips and kissed it. The action drew her warm face close to his. “I want to go on with you in body and in spirit through eternity. I love you with all my soul. You have sweetened my life and lifted me to the very stars. I don't want wealth or position. I want only you--just as you are.” He seemed unable to speak. Tenderly and reverently he drew her back to the log. In silence they sat, hand in hand, watching the shadows of the dying day creep across the wood and climb the mountainside. THE END End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Paul Rundel, by Will N. Harben