The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1886-06-03


lowly, stoopipg his blonde head to hers
''Will you have me:?"
He sees HERITAGE as she upturns it in
the flare of the last lantern; it is as he
has never seen it-pale, stricken, awful,
calm.
''Well!; she says at last, with that
clear, bright voice of hers, a trifie hard.
a trifie matter-of-fact.
ooh. [ love you, my soul! my queen
love you and need you,' cries he,
overcome by the sight of her pallor.
Il know" she answers, quietly, 81
appreciate, value your love; 1 would
not have it otherwise; 1 should have
been disappointed always if you had
MOI loved me. Ahn' burying her white
face in her hands, II revel in it!'
And he had once thought this woman
cold, superficial, unlikable.
MY darling!" Coniston says, reach
ing out his hands for hers.
But" whispers the girl, drawing
away into her silken wrap, ''I-I-am
engaged to be married to Eugene Brad
ford. have been for two years!"
Sir Campbell Frazier had arrived
from the West. The Arizona sailed on
Tuesday, and both he and the Earl of
Coniston were booked on her passenger
list.
1t was Monday night-'midsummer
come again. people said, lounging
about the piazzas of the big hotel
warm, sultry, with great banks of blue
black clouds lowering above the golden
rim of the west.
Bradford was up in town, detained by
business, as Coniston had discovered.
Miss Grey was sitting ut the corner OF
the piazza. He went up to her for the
first time since the night of the ball.
"May l sit DOWN."
She looks up assentinglv.
Il am going tomorrow in the Ari-
IONA"
81 know" she answers, whitening.
He wonders why, and, Heaven help
him! he gets up and goes away. when
he would rather far have taken the
frail, vivacious, alert little woman to
his heart.
Presently he saunters back.
Would you take ride with me to-
night? You know we shall never on
earth see each other again. Would
you?"
Here eyes flash, her lips CULVER; she
turns the ring on her finger back and
forth.
Yes" she says, quietly, 81 will. I
will get on my habit and be down
presently"
They ride of-off into the green and
silent country lanes where the dew
damps the air, and where the scent of
the homestead flower gardens mingles
with the breath of the sea as it comes
to them.
They do not talk very much, nor yet
ride very fast. The twilight is gather
ing and the horses have their way.
Suddenly it grows dark-the blue
black clouds have swept over all the
brightness of the heavens and hidden
the harvest moon from sight.
A f1ash-an instantaneous report.
and Polly sees her lover stagger in his
seat; his left arm falls powerless, struck
useless at his side.
She has her horse beside him in an
instant; she comes close to his side,
while the great rain drops fall plash-
ing down upon them. She takes up
the stricken arm in her soft hands, and
presses her young lips upon it.
"Polly!!' cries Coniston, wildly. 'Do
you love Bradford?"
''Oh. no." she says.
"Will you marry me?"
yes" she whispered.
Now-to-night-this very hour?"
Yes, this very hour if YOU wish it.
OH" cries the girl, wildly, Jack, I'll
SO good to you. l must be, don't
you see? This-this!' She touches |
his arm as he tries to guide his horse
and hold her to him, both. ..He
need me like that! and YOU do;
and it is my fault ought not to have
come out tonight with your
Thank God you did"
'And," she says, slowly, as they turn |
their horses heads ''besides, II love |
sou; is it not stranger"
Very. And you will not regret
a fellow as-as helpless as l
I'M, Polly?"
NO" she answers, thoughtfully, |
md looking at her by the lightning's
flash, he sees the strength, and
warmth, and tenderness, and love, that |
lie has need of.
Polly" Coniston says, through the
rain, as they ride back to
Brighton, sit seems to me as if my
whole life had been IN Interrogation
POINT, and as if you were the blessed
to it."
And so it fell out that the reverend
pastor of st. Mary's was called upon
o marry two drenched people that
night, and that the Earl of
}oniston put off his sailing date an
'ther month.-Leslie's Weekly.