Out of Context

Yesterday was the completion of six full months, but today is the actual halfway mark of the year.

The Border Legion
Zane Grey

She quickened to thrilling, revivifying life. And she lifted her face, and clung round his neck, and kissed him, blindly, sweetly, passionately, with all her heart and soul in her lips, wanting only one thing in the world–to give that which she had denied him.

“Joan!…. Joan!…. Joan!” he murmered when their lips parted. “Am I dreaming–drunk–or crazy?”

“Oh, Jim, I’m real–you have me in your arms,” she whispered. “Dear Jim–kiss me again–and say you believe me.”

“Believe you?…I’m out of my mind with joy….You loved me! You followed me!….And–that idea of mine–only an absurd, vile suspicion! I might have known–had I been sane!”

“There…. Oh, Jim!…. Enough of madness. We’ve got to plan. Remember where we are. There’s Kells, and this terrible situation to meet!”

He stared at her, slowly realizing, and then it was his turn to shake. “My God! I’d forgotten. I’ll HAVE to kill you now!”

A reaction set in. If he had any self-control left he lost it, and like a boy whose fling into manhood had exhausted his courage he sank beside her and buried his face against her. And he cried in a low, tense, heartbroken way. For Joan it was terrible to hear him. She held his hand to her breast and implored him not to weaken now.