“I came in here trying to find Mrs. West. I am going away this afternoon and am anxious to make a settlement with her before leaving.”
“This afternoon—you are going—away,” asked the girl in a tone more solicitous than she realized. Davis slowly rose from his chair and hobbled near Bess, standing with her hands clasped loosely behind her.
“Yes—do you care? Tell me you care. Tell me you’ll miss me, little girl,” he said, with a sudden outburst of passion, as he clasped both the girl’s hands in his own strong hold. He bent his head low. The fragrance from her hair intoxicated him and a great desire seized him to clasp her in his arms.
Bess, frightened at his unexpected and new attitude toward her, for a moment could not move. She felt his breath against her hair, and heard his heart as it beat loudly. She felt afraid to move lest she hurt his foot, and now the blood was throbbing in her throat painfully. The thought flashed through her mind that they were alone in the big house, and even could she have cried out for some one to come, she felt that it would be an insult to the man near her. What had she to fear?
“Oh, please! Mr. Davis, you hurt my hands. Let me go, you must,” she said emphatically, as she wrestled her hands free and turned directly about. With a bewildered exclamation she put her hand to her cheek, and stared with wrinkled brow at the man who was standing so near her. For the first time in her young life she read in a man’s face the unspoken words of passion and love. In the moment she stood motionless the veil was lifted from her virgin soul, and the miracle of womanhood was wrought! Into that brief space crowded undreamed dreams; new and strange insights, wonderful knowledge! She felt herself grow old, as all these strange sensations crowded themselves into her unsophisticated mind. A look of mingled dismay, unintelligibility and terror crept into the girl’s face, as she was held spell-bound by the magnetic voice of the man, and by deep glowing eyes that held her fascinated against her will.
He drew nearer and nearer and breathed a torrent of passionate love into her ears. His face nearly touched hers, and she was wholly unable to move. The man knew that he was the first one to teach her of passion and he felt an exultant pride of possession, already.
“Don’t be frightened, little one,” he said to her in the softest, most endearing tone he could master. “Cannot you understand how wonderful it is to love and to be loved? Let me teach you all it means, dear. Let me tell you that you are essential now to my happiness and to my very existence. You all unconsciously have made me love you—love you, till I cannot breathe without you. Tell me, that you do love me. Tell me—tell me,” and his voice sank to an almost inaudible, yet imperative whisper.
“I—oh! Please, Mr. Davis—I—do—not even know you. Oh—do—not—please do not talk so to me!” her husky voice trembled, so choked with emotion that he could scarcely understand what she said.
He knew it would be sheer temerity to press his suit further for the present, so he stroked her hair with a soft caress, and said: “Never mind now, dear; think of all I have said, and when I come again you will understand. Good-bye now, for I shall not see you again before leaving,” and giving her hair another gentle touch, he adjusted his crutch and left the room.
Bess’ hands fell at her sides. Amazed, her eyes followed the man as he passed through the doorway. All her senses seemed to have been dulled by the recent avowal still ringing in her ears. She was lost to her surroundings, and stood still and silent.