Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1891-03-06
turned from him, clasping her land

r!cSed Z. his tee. he could not have
felt more astonished or bewildered, but
before he could articulate word she
turned to him again.
Listen. please. have seen you day
after day, as you passed my uncle's
house. You looked so honest and kind
that somehow l felt that you could and
would help me. Am l right or wrong?
You are only struggling lawyer"
He smiled bitterly at that
81 have many thousands in my own
right My father willed it to me. They
can not touch that. / have drawn it all.
Here it is,'' and she laid roll of bank
bills on the table beside him. Il ask
you to accept it 1t may help You. You
wonder why do not take it and flee. i
do not because my uncle and that man
would follow me. even to the end
of the world, SO it would be utterly
useless. / have turned to the only ref
uge left me. l have crushed my pride
and begged you to marry me. was
spurred on by my uncle's last threat. /
| realize what have done only too well
realize that have abased my woman
4
but oh, be pitiful.' and then, completely
exhausted, she turned to the table and
bowed her head on it, and sobs, deep
and bitter, convulsed her form.
Max hesitated, but for only moment,
then laid his hand on her head
Il will do as you ask: but l can not
accept your money. No, keep it. But
why do you not allow me to see your
face?"
She lifted her head and eagerly
clasped his hand.
"You must accept the money!" she
said; land do not remove my vail, be-
cause it is best for you never to see my
face. was unwomanly, unkind enough
| to ask you to marry me, but l can not
and will not ask you to link your life
with mine, except in name. No, we
will part at the church door: then if we
should meet in the far future, you will
not recognize the face of your wife"
Il shall never forget your voice." he
exclaimed half passionately.
| Life will not be very much changed
to you. unless-you love another. Tell
me, do you? 1t is not too late. Better
far better that should wed the other
rather than tear you from your love"
| NO, l have no love-" and his quick,
| frank answer reasSured her. Il am
perfectly free and my own master,
therefore am yours, because you wish
it."
THANK you." she said, simp,y but
earnestly. Then follow me now, for
tomorrow will be too late"
He did as she babe him.
There was a closed carriage at the
door. and as Max stepped inside he
| heard her order the driver to proceed to
st. Georges parsonage.
''lf you are willing" she said to Max
in an hum BILE tone, 1--WE will have Rev.
Janues marry us. You will ask him to
follow us to the church
Then, as if it had suddenly dawned
on her that she was asking this man to
give up much for her sake, she claspcd
her hands appealingly.
''Oh, how you must hate me-" she
cried. Truly, l am frightened now at
the step l have taken! Shall we turn
back-shall marry the other?"
Never: You shall marry me. You
wish it, and-yes-I wish it also"
He could not see the glad light that
flashed into her eyes.
They soon reached the parsonage, and
a few minutes later were on their way
to the church, accompanied by the
pastor-a kind, benevolent looking
gentleman, who gazed in silent wonder
at the vailed girl.
1t was over at last. Max took his
mothers wedding ring off his own fin
ger and placed it on Helen's, and thus
the bonds were sealed. Helen Castle
ton and Max Rutherford were husband
and wife
AT the altar, as they were turning to
go down the aisle, Max bent low and
whispering said:
my wife, will you not allow ne to
see your face? once-just once"
Without a word, she tore the vail
from her face, flung off the long, black
cape that encircled her form, then,
throwing back her head with proud,
graceful movement, she faced him.
Max gave a faint cry of establishment
when he saw the glorious face that was
white as marble, large, dark, llaintive
eyes that looked at him frankly yet
pleadingly-eyes that thrilled him
through and through. It was face
that Max Rutherford never could for
get.
He made a movement as if to clasp
her In his arms, but she started back.
and, with frightened cry ,knatched up
her cape, then turned and fed down the
long aisle. And before Max could real
ize it she was driven away.
Nothing was left now for him to do
but to return to his boarding place.
Three years have passed and Max
Rutherford has reached the goal at last.
He has made for himself name and
has attained position to be proud of.
He won not only that one case, but
many more. His briefs were concise
yet eloquent, sharp yet truthful and
powerful, and success crowned these
fearless, untiring efforts.
London society now greets him with
extended arms, yet he turns away and
shuns all such advances.
He is not happy or even satisfied
there is something wanting. He yearns
with all his soul to make one other plea
longs to win one other case, and then
he will rest content
He has never seen or heard one word
from his wife since that strange mar
rage occurred. His search for her has
been untiring but fruitless.
Not penny of her money did he
touch, but carefully treasured it, hop
ing to be able to restore it to her ere
long.
One day he was called to the bedside
of dying man, who wished to make
his will. As Max entered the room the
attendants were sent out
1t was not an Unlocking face that
Max gazed on, but it was aged by suf-
fering and there was haunted express
sion in the eyes painful to see.
Before the will is drawn up" he
said, 81 wish to make q confession.
You have good face, and 1 have heard
of your merited success as barrister