Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1892-09-16


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manner and progress OF our acqumnt-
ance. It was scarcely in accordance
with what | believed to be my normal
and disposition 20 plunge 50
abruptly and almost recklessly into a
new order and responsibility of life.
had fancied myself too cautious, too
cool headed. for such an impulsive act
But it was done, and the fact that Kate's
feelings had responded TO my own
seemed to justify the apparent risk
We were meant for each other and hSd
come together in sheer despite OF all
combinations of circumstances TO keep
US apart
Knowing, MS we did. scarcely anything
of each other as worldly knowledge goes,
We had yet felt that inward instinct and
obligation to union which made the
most thoroughly worldly knowledge
look like folly. What would my mother
say to it? How would the news be
relished by her father? | cared not
foresaw difficulties enough in store, but
none that appalled, me After all, IN
honorable man and woman, honestly ia
love with each other, are a match
against the world, or superior 10 it
Union is strength, and the III Of low
ing hearts is the strongest strength Of
all
''And do you want to marry me
really, Tomy"
We had gained tho summit OF the
steep hill and were now pacing along
the ridge. The narrow, winding valley
lay sheer beneath us ON the right, with
the white road and the dark stream ~
ing side by side at the bottom oft The
crest Of the opposing hillside seemed but
a short stones throw distant; the aroma
of our privacy was the sweeter for the
pygmy droslsy, with its manilSin inmate.
which was crawling along through the
dust so far below. We commanded the
world, while We were ourselves hidden
from it.
II should rather think did, Kate
81 thought Englishmen only married
as a matter of business; that they mar
ried settlements and dowries, and rank
and influence, and added women merely
as a matter of custom and politeness."
Il am satisfied TO marry for love; If
that's un-Englsh. 50 much the better
for me-"
you would take mo without any
thing but just myself"
"What is worth having compared
with your
"Oh, Tom! But then you cannot have
Just myself alone. Nobody in the world
is independent of everything-not oven
an American-not even an American
girl who has lived seven years in aeon
vent! | may not be able to bring you
anything good--anything that would
make me moro acceptable; but what If
were TO bring you something bad-some
/ thing terrible-something that would
make you shudder at me if were ter
times rs lovable as you say amp
"Why. then l should have TO lovo yoJ
twenty times more than ever, / suppose
that's allt' l answered with laugh.
'You don't mean what you say-a
least, yen don't know what you say
You arc not 30 brave as you think yol
are, siri What do you know Of mey
She spoke these sentences ia a lower
graver tone than the previous ones
which had been uttered in a vein of hal
Maynard. fanciful playfulness Almos
Immediately, however, she reused hei
self again, as though unwilling 10 l.
lightsome hunor escape so soon.
"Well. lot us pretend that you hay
married me, for better OF worse. an
that it is all settled. Now, where vii
You take mo to frst?'
"Where do you wish to go~
"Oh. it must DO somewhere where nc
body could come after usls she ez
claimed, with q curious, subdued laugh
Nobody that either of us have eve
known; neither your mother. nor n
father, nor-nor-anybody And thor
we must stay always, because rs 500
as we came out we should lose eac
other and never find each other AGAR
And that would be sadder than never I
have met. wouldn't itr
"But my darling Kate, interposed
laughing again, where on earth IN th
age OF railways and steamboats, and tel,
graphs and balloons are we to find sue
q retired spot? Unless We took voyae
to the moon, OF could find our way dow
to the center of tho earth, VIC shoul
hardly feel safe, fearF
"Oh. well, you must arrange aboy
that, only it is as tell you, and you Sc
marrying me is not such a simple ma
ter after all. Well, now, suppose "
have reached tho place, wherever it is
what would you give me for a weddin
present."
"What would you lilSes"
mo; you are to decide that.
wouldn't be proper for your wife
choose her own wedding present, yo
- know
81 believe such thing does sometiml
happen, though, when the people al
very fashionable and aristocratic."
"But am not aristocratic; | am O
American. Now, what will you gi'
meY'
'sWhaS do you say to the diamondsS
"Well, l think l will take the di
: monds," she said, meditatively
; though weighing the question in b
mind. ayes, papa said might we
! diamonds after l was married 3
4 might not your mother objectf-
mot when sfe knows whom they a
J for, and at any rate she Is going 20 lea