"Grey, Zane - Betty Zane" - читать интересную книгу автора (Grey Zane)

return safe. It seems only yesterday that you saved my brother's life, and I
was so grateful and happy. Now he is gone."

"You should not think about it so much nor brood over it," answered the young
man. "Grieving will not bring him back nor do you any good. It is not nearly
so bad as if he had been captured by some other tribe. Wetzel assures us that
Isaac was taken alive. Please do not grieve."

"I have cried until I cannot cry any more. I am so unhappy. We were children
together, and I have always loved him better than any one since my mother
died. To have him back again and then to lose him! Oh! I cannot bear it."

She covered her face with her hands and a low sob escaped her.

"Don't, don't grieve," he said in an unsteady voice, as he took the little
hands in his and pulled them away from her face.

Betty trembled. Something in his voice, a tone she had never heard before
startled her. She looked up at him half unconscious that he still held her
hands in his. Never had she appeared so lovely.

"You cannot understand my feelings."

"I loved my mother."

"But you have not lost her. That makes all the difference."

"I want to comfort you and I am powerless. I am unable to say what--I--"

He stopped short. As he stood gazing down into her sweet face, burning,
passionate words came to his lips; but he was dumb; he could not speak. All
day long he had been living in a dream. Now he realized that but a moment
remained for him to be near the girl he loved so well. He was leaving her,
perhaps never to see her again, or to return to find her another's. A fierce
pain tore his heart.

"You--you are holding my hands," faltered Betty, in a doubtful, troubled
voice. She looked up into his face and saw that it was pale with suppressed
emotion.

Alfred was mad indeed. He forgot everything. In that moment the world held
nothing for him save that fair face. Her eyes, uplifted to his in the
moonlight, beamed with a soft radiance. They were honest eyes, just now filled
with innocent sadness and regret, but they drew him with irresistible power.
Without realizing in the least what he was doing he yielded to the impulse.
Bending his head he kissed the tremulous lips.

"Oh," whispered Betty, standing still as a statue and looking at him with
wonderful eyes. Then, as reason returned, a hot flush dyed her face, and
wrenching her hands free she struck him across the cheek.