The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1888-07-20

yak TO New CDurcn! Sne ASKED
in astonishment. "You never could
in such a tempest"
~ could try"
"But there's no need. We are com.
Portable enough for the present. The
wind must abate before long; and al
any rate" she went on with firmress,
81 couldn't stay here alone, Mr..
Landt. | could not allow you to
leave me helpless in this deserted
place."
"But, my dear Miss Hanford, the
storm may last till morning, and GER
tainly we couldn't couldn't"
He stopped, embarrassed. She was
looking at him with such grave, un
conscious eyes that hecould not bring
himself to hint at the improperly Of
their remaining together, as viewed
by the outside world, even for the
length of time that had already
passed.
"If you will not let me leave you,'
he said, catching at q thought, show
can l possibly procure assistance?
You can't walk and you don't want
to stay here all night"
"But the weather may Oh ange."
''That's the merest chance. Miss
Hanford. We can't depend on that.
| think / had better make a start. II
l am blown into the CANAL" ne added
lightly, cor perish otherwise'--
but l have told you l will not be
left here alone" she interrupted quick
ly and Indignantly. at is your fault,
sir, in the first place, that this acct
dent has happened, If you had al
lowed me to keep the reins we would
probably be safe at home by this
time; instead of which"
She threw out her hands with q ges-
ture that finished the sentence elo-
quently enough.
Eugene bit his lip. He blushed an
grily. but spoke with calmness.
MAY ask your reason for not
wishing to stay alone?" he asked
ironically shat is, if there can be any
thing like reason connected with such
a whim."
81 have told you that I am utterly
powerless, and l am afraid"
"Oi ghosts,o O perhaps mice! Which
Miss Hanford did not answer. She,
too, bit her lip, but it was to check
back her quickly rising tears.
81 am sorry you are so unreason-
able" he said quietly, $50 childishly
absurd. It places us both in a very
ridiculous position"
"And l am sorry you are SO ungen-
tlemanly, "she flashed out at him; 80
rude, SO un%bearably impertinent-but
l could expect no better! Nothing
good could come from any one who
bears your namel'
She ended in passion of tears.
Mr.. Landt continued to look down
at her with a sort Of startled, shock.
ed expression. 1t vas as if her deli
cate hand had struck him in the face
and he was powerless to return the
blow. He drew a deep breath and
walked away, after q moment, and
sat down as far from her as possible,
his face averted, his head leaning on
his hand.
Marian continued to sob convul-
sively. All the wrongs and sorrows
of her fathers life came surging back
to her, an overwhelming tide; the
flood-gates of her heart seemed BURST
ing asunder before the pent-up Bit
terness OF years. She was struggling
with all her might to regain calmness
but the very effort seemed to increase
the violence of her emotion. AS for
Eugene-strong, hurt, wretched as
he was-he only longed, with a strong
mans compassion, to Sooth and
comfort his frank little enemy who
had so bitterly spoken her mind.
K 4
Eugene awoke with a SILVER; the
lamp had burned out, the fire was
almost dead, and-what was this?
Beyond the window panes clear moon.
light and a cloudless sky! Miss Han.
ford was still asleep in her chair, as
she had been for some time before
Eugene himself succumbed. The
wind had gone down, and now there
was nothing to prevent him taking
the road to New Church except
He lit a match and looked at his
watch. 1t was 2 o'clock a. M. He
walked to the window and stared out
hopelessly. OF what avail was the
calm brightness of earth and sky? 1t
had come too late. What now could
turn aside this disgrace that had fall
len on an innocent young life, and for
which be perhaps had been to blame?
There was only one thing that could
be done. AS he opened the door a lit
tie way and looked into the night a
piercing wind swept by him, and the
on the chair stirred and wax
ened.
"Wh is that?" was demanded
quickly. "Oh, oh! Mr.. Landt, is it
you? Where is thelight?"
sit has burned out, Miss Hanford.
were both asleep"
"Oh!" she repeated, but now in a
tone of relief. "And there isn't any
more OIL" She seemed to have slept
away her anger and resentment. Her
voice sounded sweet and friendly.
''But the storm is over. l am SO
slad!"
"Glad?" Eugene said nothing. He
the door and came and kneeled
by the fire, blowing the half-dead EN-
bers into a flame, and laying on more
wood until the room was partly light
I'd by the pleasant glow.
81 think it would be a good idea to
watch from the window" she suggest.
ed cheerfully after O. while. Cleans
are sure to pass, now. How late is it
O'Clock, eleven o'clock"
But when Eugene informed her, in a
constrained voice, she merely said,
well, it won't be long till
morning, especially if we go to sleep
1t is perhaps needless TO mention
there was no more sleep that
night for Mr.. Landt. When morn
ing dawned he was sitting looking
thoughtfully at Miss Hanford's pref
ty, dark head, which rested rather I'M
comfortably on the desk beside her.
As the day grew really bright he rous'
"A hor nnrtlr