Richland beacon., 1888-06-30

leS, YOU can go now. On, how
strange we have been here-all night ~
Eugene turned away quickly and
began to put on his coat. Then he came
hack and stood beside her, strangely
agitated.
81 am going to Dixon for a carriage, y
he said hurriedly. " And, Miss Hanford
| will bring a minister with me and II
witness. 1t is impossible for us to re-
turn to New Church until We are marri-
ed"
WHAT" said Marian. almost start
ing from her chair. Married? You
and -
at must he SO, he answered decisive
". 81 will never force my companions
ship on you you will he perfectly free.
Listen to me"-hc spoke quite sternly-
''the only way by which you can save
your reputation or regain your place
before the world is to let me make you
my WIFE
81 won't do any such thing" she
answered instantly. 81 am surprised
you should think that | could"
"But ask it for your sake he said
pointedly. can adventure of this sort
may be overlooked in man, but i'll a
woman
"An adventure" repeated Marian, hei
frank, brown eyes full of astonishment.
"But could We possibly help it! Did we
wan { to stay here! Who i'll the world
could blame us for a matter entirely be
yond our power to control -
Eugene looked at her fixedly for q
long moment. 'It vas in yorr power,
Miss Hanford," h. reloined quietly.
"You would not allow me to Leave you.
am going to Dixon he re-
peated with added frmness. ''to find q
minister. In the meantime, try to use
your reason-if that be possible
could not refrain from this slight thrust.
and be assured OF one thing, that it will
not be my fault if your good name is
is sacrificed through an accident for
which Won tell me was to be blamed in
the first place
He turned upon his heels and left
her helplessly watching his retreatina
figure.
"Good morning, Uncle Reub, can !
see Mrs. Landt!"
marian" shouted Uncle Reub, put
ting his head in at the doorway, "come
down, will you! Mr.. Lan-your nus
bands here"
He bestowed wink OH Eugene rs he
substituted the word. "Her fOot's all
right again. She's goin' up to school
tomorrow, | believe
He nodded and passed along the YER
anda to the farmyard gate.
In a moment Marian came. She was
blushing and breathing fast, and hel
brown eyes were lowered. They barely
touched hands.
81 heard YOU were about to take up
school again, he said grayely. "Is ii
true
"But I must" she answered in a sub
dued voice, not daring TO look at him.
"Nly term will not end
"Mariani" He caught her gently,
turned her in his strong arm, and then
walked her into the little dark parlor,
where the horsehair sofa and mildew
were. ''Lct us talk together moment
as friends, at least. You are my wife.
She WINGED at the word and Eugene
withdrew his arm proudly. "But you
are free woman, too. Only beg YOU
not to pain me by persisting i'll this.
| have settled OH you an ample income
money that would have been yours 10y
right, dear, only for the legal injustice
that made it mine. / have arranged to
go away. But l shall go away very
wretched man unless l can think of you
cared for and happy. Promise me that
you will not teach any more; that you
will accept your rights as my wife, as
the woman love-"
"Don't dare to say you love me- She
stepped back from him, looking very
pale, but very piteous, too. "lOu are
sorry for me; and you think"
81 am not sorry for YOU" he inter
rupted, firmly. 'Indeed, no. Who
could be sorry for one so proud and
cold. But l am sorry for myself" Inc
added, slowly, because, in spite of all
your faults, i do love you dearly"
And then Marian came slowly near,
and very shyly took hold of Eugene's
coat button and examined it closely as
she spoke.
''If you love me- she said, softly
"you took long time to tell me So"