Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1890-05-15

bv the fire, blowing the half-dead EN-.
bers into q flame, and laying on more
wood until the room was partly light
ed by the pleasant glow.
IL think it would be good idea to
watch from the window" she suggest
ed cheerfully after q while. "Teams
are sure to pass, now. How late is it
ten o clock. eleven o'clock"
But when Eugene informed her, in q
constrained voice, she merely said.
lightly: "Well, it won't be long till
morning. especially if we 60 to sleep
again."
It is perhaps needless to mention
there was no more sleep that
night for Mr.. Landt. When morn
ing dawned he was sitting looking
thouyhtfully at Miss Hanford's pref.
ty, dark head, which rested rather un.
comfortably on the desk beside her.
AS the day grew really bright he rous.
ed her gently.
II am going now to bring wagon.
You will not mind being left alone?"
She lifted her bewildered face: then
as full consciousness came back, she
smiled and nodded.
"Yes, you can 60 now. Oh, how
strange we have been here-all night"
Eugene turned away quickly and be-
gan to put on his coat. Then he came
back and stood beside her, strangely
agitated.
Il am going to Dixon for a car.
riaee," he said hurredly, land Miss
HaDford, will bring a minister with
me and a witness. 1t is impossible
for US to return to New Church until
We are married"
WHAT" said Marian. almost start
ing from her chair. Married? You
and II"
ut must be So" he answered de-
cisively. II will never force my com.
panionship on you; you will be per-
fectly free. Listen to me"-he spoke
quite sternly-"the only wav by which
you can save your reputation or re.
gain your place before the world is to
let me make you my wife"
II won't do any such thing" she
answered instantly. II am surprised
you should think Tor moment that
could"
'But ask it foryour sake" he said
pointedly. can adventure OF this sort
may be overlooked in q man, but in q
woman"
"An adventure" repeated Marian,
her frank, brown eyes full OF
astonishment. but could we pos
sibly help it? Did we want to stay
here? Who in the world could blame
Us for a matter entirely beyond our
power to control?'
Eugene looked ut her fixedly for q
long moment. at was in your power,
Miss Hanford," he reioined quietly.
al
you. am going to Dixon"
he repeated with added firmness, ito
find a minister. In the mean time,
try to use your reason-if that be
possible, he could uot refrain from
this slight thrust. "And be assured
OF one thing, that it will not be my
fault If your good name is sacrificed
through an accident for which you
tell me l was to blame in the first
place."
He turned on mis- heels and LETT her
helplessly watching h., retreating
figure.
"Good morning, Uncle Reuben; can
see Mrs. Landt?"
Marian" shouted Uncle Reub,
! putting his head in at the doorway;
''come down, will you? Mr.. Ian
| your husbands here"
/ He bestowed wink on Eugene as
he substituted the word. "Her foot's
all right again. She's goin' up to
school tomorrow, l believe"
. He nodded and passed along the
veranda to the farmyard gate.
In a moment Marian came. She
was blushing and breathing fast, and
her brown eyes were lowered. They
barely touched each others hands.
II heard you were about to take
up school again." he said gravely.
is it trne?"
But must" she answered in q
subdued voice, still not daring to
look at him. my term will not
Marian" He caught her gently,
turned her in his strong arm, and
walked her into the little dark parlor.
where the horse-hair sofa and mildew
were. "Let us talk together a
moment as friends, at least You
are my WIFE" She WINGED at the
word. and Eugene withdrew his arm
proudly. "But you are a free woman,
too. Only beg you not to pain me
by persisting in this. have settled
on you an ample income-money that
would have been yours by right, dear.
only for the legal injustice that made
IT mine. Ihave arranged to 90 away.
But | will go away a very wretched
man unless lean think ofyou cared tor
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.
You are sorry for me; and you
hink"-
II am not sorry for you," he inter.
rupted, firmly. "Indeed, no. Who
could be sorry for one SO proud
and-cold? But am sorry for my
SELF" he added. slowly, "because in
spite of all your faults. love you
dearly"