, 1886-05-18

eat. | really don't know what | shoul +.
have done without you"
Don't YOU" l cried; -pleasee say tina.
again"
you mustn't spoil your palate with to .
many sweet things. Any news thi-
morning.
Hall is expecting some every moment
He was going to the wire when | lei
him.
Il wish lie could send us through lay
wire"
Il am not in any hurry"
But | am. Think of my sister. :
Il prefer to think of her sister"
At this moment Hall came in. His
preternaturally solemn expression caught
Mrs. Forsyth's eyes, and | believe spared
me n rebuke.
why, conductor, what a long face you
wear this morning! Surely things cant
be wore than yesterday
Il am afraid you won't like it, ma'am.
The fact is, the difficulty of getting food
here is SO great, the company has or
dered that all the single men among the
passengers are to try to push through
to the Forks this afternoon"
Il am sure l exclaimed, IL could
never manage 1t on those awkward show
Shoes"
very sorry, sir" said Hall, with we'll
assumed -imperiousness.
The full meaning now seemed to dawn
on Mrs. Forsyth. She began to weep.
"Do you mean to say" she expostu-
lated, that / am to be left here all alone:
It's an outrage !"
Il shall be here, ma'am," said Hall.
consolingly, "and there's an old clergy
mar in the next car"
Il don't want any old clergymen," she
exclaimed from behind her handker-
chief.
made u sign to Hall, and he disap-
peared. As the door closed on him, Mrs.
Forsyth took down her handkerchief
and asked, Has that brutal conductor
gone"
yes, dear Mrs. Forsyth. But it is
really not his fault. He has no discrc-
ton in the matter"
"Oh. | suppose you're glad to get
away"
Indeed no. I'd much rather stay"
Then stay"
"They won't let me-"
What is to become of me?r
Hall will taxi good care of you"
a don't want to be taken care of-at
least not by him. Can't l go tooy"
impossible! It's eve a great risk for
me-
ats disgraceful.7 she exclaimed.
again having recourse to the handker-
chief. They've no business to start
trains in this weather. 1 know | shall
die here, with nobody to care a Bit
My time had come, and l made n head
long plunge.
Dear Mrs. Forsyth, there is a way
by which | might stay"
an Heavens name, what is it,"
81 hardly dare to tell you. That order
applies only to single men, or men with
on their wives"
WELL"
"If-if-you would only-well, it's no
use, kate-yes, l know your name-saw
it on one of your books. Kate, | love
you. Don't say anything, but hear me
out. 1t is true | have only known You a
few days"
Her face was hidden by the wretched
handkerchief, but from behind it she
sobbed, only f-f-five."
Excuse me-nearly six: but we have
seen so much of each other that it seems
we have been acquainted for months
you said SO yourself yesterday"
mo; it was you who said So"
"You didn't contradict me. And then
I've met your sister"
yes, that is true" she assented, as she
again permitted her face to be seen.
Il know enough of you," l continued,
ito feel sure of my love for you. Can
not you care for me a little? There is Il
clergyman on the train; he can marry
us at once, and then / can remain with
you. not only here, but all my life
What !" she cried, in dismay;
abe married all in IA hurry, with.
out any warning, and to YOU.
whom I And then | have no trous-
sou. No, it's impossible Leave me,
and let me die
don't know what form of consolation
| should have tried rs she sank back
weeping, but at this j%uncture Hall
came in.
MIR. Austin" said he, you'd better bo
packing up the trifies you want to take
with you" Then turning to her: ITS
no use crying. ma'am; we have to make
the best of it,"
Have you ever been showed up be-
forey'
Yes, ma'am, last year-twenty two
days" And with that tremulous evelIa
again noticeable, he went out.
twenty-five days alone calculated
Mrs. Forsyth, "in a snowy tomb, with II
conductor and an old clergyman !"
Kate, dear Kate, won't you listen to
me? Together the time will not be half
so long, for we will share it. Think, too,
of what you may save me from. l am
not used to show shoes, and may perish
on the way
Il would not keep you here for selfish
reasons she said, after a brief pause;
-but to save your life, | might be
tempted"
"Then you CONSENT" | cried.
Are you very sure you love meyr
AS certain as that | breathe"
Then, kopert-yes, l know your name
that nice conductor told me-you-you
may ask the clergyman if he will. But
OH it's awful to be married without a
wedding dress"
you shall have the handsomest that
is to be got when we reach the coast"
That won't be like being married in
it. Remember, if you ever repent this.
that i only nnrrxr xfAtt 20 90 xrn xsA..- .f. -
IL shall never repent. / love you too
much" l started toward the door to see
the clergyman.
She called me back. and as / held her
in my arms she whispered, Robert, |
think | am n little selfish, after ALL
Adapted from Julian Magnus in Harper's