Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1894-09-27

Grandmother uOOr-nlS Olu huOch-
three times. Even Aunt Hannah says
that story's true. can't be sorry
truly, can't. I was afraid all the time;
and he was so dreadful. gave him
all mammals money. and he took her
jewels, everything of value. am not
a hypocrite, Mr.. Oliver; l can't make
up sorrow just to please you"
II don't want you to-" he whispered,
close to her ear. They were alone in a
corner of the big room, and no ore
could see. Il spoke hastily because /
hated to think of that dream and how
you would make yourself believe he
came back"
She drew away from him indig-
nantly.
81 am not child, Mr.. Oliver, and you
must not treat me as one. In some
things, in suffering and worry, am
older than you are; and few women
could come out unscathed from the
horrors of that ranch. | did. / kept
my reason because l was frivolous and
had my little dog to love, and a
bright sunshiny day would chase all
my night terrors away. I'd say, Min
ny, it's good just to be alive But al
ways have been afraid in the dark;
when was child queer faces used to
peer at me, faces circled in yellow
light. AS l grew older, | was more
afraid of them, and slept in lighted
room. At the ranch Henri used to
crawl up the porch and peer in the
window with a mask on, until | shot
one night; then it was not so funny.
1t amused him to torture me. | won't
tell you any more, because you can't
understand. But I shall not go to Dem
yer. 1t would be mockery."
CDR. John telegraphed you need not
you must not come. Shall tell you
any more?"
mo" She rose and scattered the
petals of one of her flowers on the car
pet, brushing her dress with tremb-
ling hand Nor will put on black.
I shall go home. What is my home,
Mr.. Oliver?" she cried, accusingly.
''You have brought me here; l was do
ing your bidding. My aunt has left
me; she has taken my baby. The man
l married is dead; he has no interest in
me but to haunt me. Everybody is
gone. who have made all the trouble
am left to bear it alone. If she comes
back she will know of this-my being
here; she will distrust me; even DIR.
John will. | seem to have grown old
and wise, and, oh! so tired of the
world!'
"Come here, MinDy." he said, in a
strange tone. She started and looked
into his face. 1t had different ex-
preston somehow, yet the gray eyes
were very kind, and there was tender
smile about his mouth. She hesitated
then She returned to the sofa, sitting
gingerly at the extreme end. He
turned so as to face her, but sat nc
nearer.
"Minny, we are both culprits-inno-
cent ones. We have been punished
long enough. If l thought-but am
twice your age, you have not been
happy in bondage, and it would be
bondage still, though loving one. Nc
red-haired young men in it, no wild
journeys alone, no drawing back when
once entered in. If | dared to dream
l would hope that you cared for me.
would say, Minny, love you; letus &c
away from our troubles and have q
long vacation. 1t is dreadful to talk
this way in the shadow of death, but
cannot let you go back to Maine alone
or to the terrors there in that lonely
house. l do not know where your
aunt is, or when she will return; and
IL people should talk of this time,
could silence them If you were my
Wife"
She was strangely quiet, but he saw
the roses tremble on her breast.
"You talk, Craig" she said, sadly,
''as if this were part of your sacrifice
for helping me once, for being kind
friend"
"How cruel women can be-even the
sweetest of theml How can I be diff
ferent, when l must remember the
dead in Denver2 Yet, Minny, could
talk love to you; other women have
said did that thing we'll, and / did
nc care for them; your little finger is
more precious to me than all the wom'
en- | have ever known"
She sighed and moved little nearer,
blush on her fair cheek.
even to touch you, to take your
hand, seems dreadful" he cried, hasti-
ly "What coward custom makes OF
us all! If it were a year, now, instead
of a day Let the worst come" He
took her cold little hand in his and
drew her to. his side 'Shall we go
forth on our holiday, Minny, leaving
no address, forgetting the past, and be
as if the world were new and we but
just created?"
"You talk nicely now," she said,
slowly, holding herself erect and state
ly in spite of his restraining hand,
but you said bondage, and that has
frightened me- have been scolded
so much and driven about; | want to
be loved and made friend of. If you
would be as sweet as on that ride, il
you"
He drew her close and pressed his
lips against that soft round cheek,
blushing so prettily now.
TRY me, Minny. l swear to you
those dear eyes shall never shed tears
from any word or act of mine. have
loved you since you came out in the
light that dismal night and | thought
you ltJle GIRL
"And I loved you," she whispered,
lifting her tousled head from his arm,
"when you looked SO disgustedly
amazed at things in that ranch that
told you, and all of sudden smiled on
me as you are smiling now. Craig,
mean to try and be grown-up and good
always"
mo, no; just be yourself And, now,
dear, 60 smooth your hair and get your
things on. We will be married in the
quietest way. ! know couple of fell
lows l can get for witnesses; we can
pick them up on the road"
She jumped up, all rosy and smiling.
At the door she looked back. MAY 1
take the dog, Craig?" she said, hesitat-
ingly.
He smiled. ''Of course" he said, re-
signedly. "You don't have to ask
may I?' we are comrades, you know.
BY the way, tell the chambermaid to
pack your trunk. Pay her. We will
go away in the early afternoon. I
want to be free from all memories"
TO BE Continued