Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-07-17


horror to me. They are trying to
force me into a marriage with-with
one whom [ loathe and detest with all
my soul. would rather die, and vet
II am afraid. [ am not strong
enough to resist them always and"
She stopped, turning her face away,
for its pallor was lost now in burn
ing flood of shame-the hottest that
had ever scorched those dainty cheeks
''lf only there was some barrier :"
she went on, after that brief, shamed
silence, casting strange. appealing
look into the young mans wondering
face, something that the law could
interpose between myself and the man
l hate. And there is only one way
Again she paused with crimson
cheeks and dropping eyes, but this
time John Cristowell spared her the
shame of speaking further.
Il can scarcely credit my Senses" he
said, in half-bewildered way; yet. if
| mistake not, you are asking my pro-
lection against this hated marriage,
and there is only one way in which |
could protect you-that is to-make-
you-my = wife. Have l understood
you, Miss Livingstone"
She bowed her head slowly without
speaking, without even lifting her
eyes from the shadowy ground.
DO you realize what you are ask
ingP'' he went on, his voice husky and
strained with the intensity of his feel
ings. Il am a stranger to you, and a
poor man-as far below you in social
station as"
That is nothing,n interrupted the
young heiress, lifting her head, with
an eager flash in her dark eyes. 81
know of you, John Cristowell; [ know
that you are honest, brave-a man to
be trusted. And all I ask is legal
barrier between me and a marriage to
which death itself were a thousand
times preferable. Beyond that I have
never looked-never cared"
The intense light which had sud-
denly flashed across the young mans
face, rendered it positively handsome
as he listened to the girls first words,
died out and left it pale and emotion
less ere the last sentence fell from her
lips.
1T shall be as you wish it." he in
terrupted quietly, though something
like thrill of pain sounded in his
husky tones. fortunately it is in
my power to serve you, and that is all
the happiness l ask. If you have fully
resolved upon such step, II am
ready at any moment. The parsonage
is not far off. Shall we go now, Miss
Livingstone"
With swift, sweet look of gratitude
which thrilled him to the very core of
his heart, Verna Livingston turned and
laid her small white hand upon his
arm.
Yes, now" she whispered hurried
ly. Until [ know that [ am placed
safely beyond their power l cannot
breathe freely. But wait" she added,
stopping abruptly in their walk. as if a
sudden thought had flashed upon her
mind. There's one thing you ought
to know. This step may cost me my
fortune; they have threatened to de-
prive me of every dollar of it unless I
yield to their will. So it may prove to
be penniless girl instead of an heir
ess whom you are-befriending, Mr..
CristOwell.n
A swift proud gesture, full of scorn-
istic of the man, was John Cristowell's
jeweled hand protectingly within his
arm and fastened on toward the light
which. just beginning to glow redly
through the scented dusk, showed
them where the little parsonage stood.
A half-hour later they came forth
from the CHEEKY parlor where that
bright light shone, and. clasped tight
ly in one fair hand, Verna Cristowell
held her marriage certificate = that
precious talisman which was hence
forth to be her weapon of defense
against her prosecutors.
At the spot where she had waited for
him earlier in the evening John Cristo-
we'll parted from his bride.
you are safe now, whatever comes, "
he said, taking the little hand which
she shyly offered, and holding it tight
ly, yet tenderly in his own. They
can't force you into that hated union
now and as for NEWELL with a
slight, queer little smile trembling
about the corners of his handsome
mouth, Il am going away again for a
long stay-you know my business
often calls me to distant places and
shall never trouble you in any way,
never seek to claim yon as my wife I'M
less it shall be your own free will and
wish. And | cannot hope for that, y
he added, with an unconscious sigh.
But if you should ever need me YOU
have only to send me one word and |
will leave everything to come and pro-
tect you. And now-Verna-m wife
-good-by!"
He bent and touched his lips rever-
entity to the white hand that still rested
in his clasp, then wheeled about and
| disappeared in the darkness before she
could reply to him, even had she
| wished.
Months passed ere John Cristowell
again turned his face hOmeward.
His strange marriage was still Sc
cret. locked sacredly in his inmost
| heart.
How constantly he had thought OF
his fair yonng bride, and how pas
sionately he had grown to love her, he
did not himself realize until he turned
into the DID, familiar road which led
past her stately home to his far more
humble one.
She is mine, and yet how distant,
| how inaccessiblem he muttered as his
eyes fingered wistfully on the gray
| stone towers he was passing. "She
will never love me; to her l am moth
ing save the useful barrier that stands
between herself and danger. Ah,well,
my love is great enough to- Hello!
what's the meaning of that, l Won