Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1892-01-27

he cantcred across the prairie. Il am
not too late Yet. have only to give
Louise notice to be ready, and tonight
drive out for her, and inside of six
hours we shall be rolling to the west
ward rs fast as steam can take us"
Louise had, Of course, been informed
of Pearson's misfortune. Pearson
through his friend Mills, had taken
pains to keep her informed on his con-
dition, and she was aware that he
would come again soon to claim her an
swer TO his question. So she waited
the time to come for the completion OF
her misery and shame.
When Pearson reached Green's. Louise
received him quietly, and whatever her
feelings were she had mastered them so
well that she betrayed no emotion,
either of sorrow or pleasure.
Louise, have at last come 10 learn
your decision" Pearson said, when they
were alone. 81 have given you more
time than promised. and suppose you.
have your answer ready"
Il have" she replied, quietly.
"And it is"
"As you wish"
"Then tonight be ready for going
away. 1 shall come at couple of
hours after dark with n closed carriage,
and by moving promptly and losing no
time we can catch the night train west.
and before our escapade becomes known
we will be far from here. You under
stand that there must be no delayP'
Yes"
And you will see that there is none?"
yes"
Then l suppose that is all, and as
Pearson spoke he arose as if to go, but
suddenly stopping came over to the girls
side and said:
'Since YOU are so soon TO be mine,
Louise. YOU cannot object to me kiss
ing you. Here, just once before go"
mo, no, no., she cried as she drew
herself back from him. ''Spare me that,
please do"
"Humph," Pearson muttered. ''yoa1l
have TO get used to that pretty soon
now, and you might as well begin one
time as another. Do You think / will
let YOU shun me as you would snake
when you are my own?"
NO. no, but spare me now. / have
consented TO give myself to YOU to-
night. From thenceforward l am
yours, but to-day let me be free. 1t is
not much l ask, and you will surely
grant so small request"
"Ah, yes, l suppose So" Pearson re-
piled with coarse laugh. BE your
own mistress to-day, for after this you
are mine BE ready at eight tonight,
and meet me at the fence below the
stable yard
Very we'll"
Louise said this so calmly and so
freely that Pearson was constrained to
gaze at her in wonder, and as he watched
her quiet, immovable countenance he
began to doubt her intentions.
Look here, Louise" he said, II want
you to bear in mind that | am in earn
est, and that l will brook no foolishness.
You fail me tonight in one particular
and your father will pay for it."
II shall not fail YOU" Louise replied,
in the same calm tone and manner. Il
have decided to follow your wishes, and
l shall not turn back. Have no fears
of me-
Very well, then. Be ready for nv
coming at eight tonight, and then for
the far west and a happy life-happy at
least for me-" he added under his
breath. "Good-by for few hours"
The sun was not high as Pearson gal
Hoped back toward Magic City. but
hung suspended in the distant western
sky but a little way above the edge of
the earth.
There is no time TO lose," he
unused. as he rode swiftly on,
land must move rapidly to make con-
nections all around. / have my ar
rangements well fixed, thank goodness.
so there need be no delay. I've got old
Blatchford's money all safe here in my
pocket, and our tickets for the train are
there, too. The carriage is arranged
for, and / have a driver who knows
what is expected Of him and who can be
depended on, SO there will be no trouble
on that score. Then the man
who is to officiate as a clergy
man and go through the part
of marrying us is all right and can be
depended on for pronptness. I've got
everything in ship-shape and will come
out successfully, notwithstanding the
delay caused by old Bascom's want of
sense. Bah. the idea of a man prac-
ticing medicine when he hasn't sense
enough 70 know whether or not a limb
is broken. BY George, If ] was in a
position 70 do so, would sue the old
fool for malpractice, but can't bother
about that now. Louise and forty thou
sand dollars Of Blatchford's money
safely in my possession is pay enough
for all the inconvenience I have suf-
fercd. By Jove, though, did get terri
bly, worked up yesterday over this f
fair. was afraid old Scraggs would
get wind OF matters and telegraph 10
Blatchford and get him out here, and I
knew II he did il would be all day with
me. But that fears past now, and I've
got clear sailing"
Thus, confident Of the final AMI com.
plete success Of his plans, Pearson con-
tinued his way in high spirits. congrat-
ulating himself on the clever manner
in which he had worked his schemes.
and facilitating himself on the bright
prospects the future opened up before
him.
Louise, in the meantime, set about the
Preparationsit was necessary she should
make for going away. There was
not much 10 do aside from writing a
/ letter 70 her parents which ,vas tc 10