"Why not?" asked the girl earnestly.
"Because it is better so. It would only hurt you more when we had to say good-bye—after."
"Oh, but that's just why!" she cried passionately.
"No, no—I ask it of you," said he. And, taking the girl's head in his two hands, he kissed her softly on the brow.
A gleam of infinite tenderness shone in her eyes, but she did not speak, only bowed her head and nestled close to his breast.
A strange joy thrilled him—he felt he had won a victory over himself. Through his thin shirt he could feel the girl's warm breath like a wave of summer sunshine, and, smiling with happiness, he stroked her hair.
It was in his mind to ask her if she did not think herself it was best as he said, when suddenly, ere he could speak, a burning gasp struck him like a flame; the girl's hot lips were pressing fiery kisses on his breast; her arms slipped from his neck and twined themselves close about his waist.
"God in heaven—be careful, child!" He took her arms and tried to draw himself away. But, ere he could loosen her hold, he felt his body thrill in answer to her passionate caress—a torrent of passion rose within him: all thought of self-restraint was whirled away.
"Love, love!" he gasped, his voice almost breaking in tears. He drew her up to him, and closed her thirsting lips with his own, crushing her body against his own till both lay breathless….