Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-04-19


the whip curled so sharply over the flank
of his sturdy horses; never had he mad
better time than on that day, when
seemed to him but snaiPs pace.
At last, however, the stage drew up be
fore the inn, whose roof sheltered the gir
who, in few short days had grown mex
pressibly dear to the driver.
He held a hurried consultation with tn
hostler, which resulted in the latter agree
ing to drive the stage on to its destination
for certain sum of money
Then Frank went into the long dining
room, and seating himself at one of TIN
small tables in a secluded corner, he waitee
for Cora Pressy.
He flushed to the roots of his crispy
curling brown hair, as he smiled at her
She noticed it, and wondered silently
thinking, meanwhile, that he vas not BAG
looking fellow, with his broad brow, homes
eyes and firm lips
Miss Cora" he said, rather awkwardly
| would like to have you ride with me
this evening, if you Will. / have some
thing of Importance to tell you" he added
hurriedly, growing redder than ever with
embarrassment
Cora looked at him wiStfully. Was it
something about her father? But she
dared not put the thought into words
there were too many about. So she merely
bowed her head in acceptance Of his invi-
tation, and went away.
Half an hour later she was tucked into
trim little cutter beside him, dashing
along over the moonlit road, and waiting
anxiously for him to reveal the matter OF
importance at which he had limited.
But Frank was curiously silent for long
while. 1t seemed to Cora that he would
never speak. At last, with a sudden effort
he said: Miss Cora, you've known me
only few days but you've seen enough of
me to know that | am a blunt-spoken fell
low, so hope you won't be upset by what
Pm going to say. Pm not much of a gen
tleman, but haven't very bad habits, and
make a fair living, and-and-well, want
a wife, little gal, and | love you. If you'll
have me, Phi do my prettiest to make you
the happiest woman in the country"
Cora smiled up at him through tear
filled eyes, and this gave him courage to
slip one arm over the back of the cutter
and draw her closer TO his side
She murmured something about being
almost stranger to him; but Frank, grown
wonderfully bold, pressed with his lips the
lids over the girls dark eyes, and queried:
Do you love any other manY mo" she
answered honestly enough; 81 believe you
are the best man | ever knew"
Whereupon Frank kissed her again
upon the lips this time-and made sec
Ond proposition, to which at first she would
not listen. But the will and energy of her
earnest-hearted wooer carried the day, and
the result was call upon Justice Of the
Peace and when they re-entered the inn
that night, the girl was Cora Pressy no
longer, but Cora HoIlister, and Franks
face was radiant and triumphant
In the dingy waiting-room an excited
crowd was gathered.
Frank endeavored to hurry his wife past
the doorway, but her quick glance had
caught a glimpse of familiar figure.
Father W she cried, and stepped into
the ROOM
Yes, there he was, haggard and dishev-
eled, with bloodshot eyes and unshaven
face. He might have been fne-looking
once. There was just the ghost of debo-
nair look about him still despite his
wretchedness. An officer guarded him on
either side.
What has he done ?" cried Cora, with
pallid lips.
Some one in the crowd answered, brutally
enough: Killed brother gambler twenty
miles back. They're taking him through
to the city"
Then the poor little bride went into a
Joad flint ~ Lar b,,-L,,,J', =, r,,,, ,,,J bs
carried her up stairs with his brown cheek
against her white one.
All night he watched beside her, while
she went from one deathly swoon into an
other. AT last, in the gray morning, she
smiled sadly into her husbands ewes and
Do not be troubled. will go
away"
" Not if | can help it," answered Frank, !
with grim set of his under lip.
Then all at once he put his face down on |
he pillow beside her and began to cry like !
| two-year-old baby.
With her slender hands she stroked the !
mans big, curly head, and talked to him in
, sweet, weary way that went straight to
MS warm heart.
" Dear friend" she said, 81 know how
lnselfsh you are, but will not allow you
% make such a sacrifice. You shall not
share my shame"
Look here, little woman, I knew all !
ibout this affair yesterday morning; that's !
Why was in such rush to get married |
knew they would bring Colonel PresSy |
through here, and | knew if | did not !
make sure of you then, that never should |
get you. Ny little darling wife" he went |
IN, kissing her hair, eyes and lips, thank |
Tod, nothing can separate us-nothing but |
leath."
And looking into her husbands eyes, !
)ora knew that here was her safe home and /;
heller forevermore.
Ny reader would set me down as an I'M
satisfactory story-teller were to omit the !
equel.
Colonel PreSsy committed suicide a !
month later in his prison cell.
Frank took his little wife away to his !
Eastern home, where she lives contented |
title matron, proud and happy in her hus-
'and's love and the possession of cooling,
baby.