Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1895-02-16
Ten Minutes to Twelve.
By II. G. MOLELLAND.
No." he answered. surprised.

You were so quiet that had to laugh.
1t seemed SO funny to sit up like two
owls. never saying word to one an
other. she proceeded. I'VE are cousins,
you know. John, just the same as we
used to be. But perhaps you are in
pain?"-with quick change of voice.
Are you? Tell me at once. Ought
you to have come? | know it was the
money and that foolish clause in the
will about today But for that we
might easily have waited until you were
strong again. Isn't travelling bad for
your
Not at all bad" Royal hastily re-
sponded "On the contrary, it is the
very best thing in the world for me
indeed, for us both. I'm much stronger
than you suppose" He could hardly re-
strain smile as he made the assertion.
The plans clust not be changed. We
must leave by that 2:2O train. 1t is i'm
perative that we should. You are ready,
! SUPPOSE"
He intended to take her whether she
should be or not, but put the question
from sheer nervousness. Anything was
better than sitting beside her in state
of absolute passivity.
"Oh, yes. Ny trunks were packed
some days ago. and all the arrangements
made. You were SO eXplicit-so-so
masterful"-with another ripping laugh.
You have not changed in that, John.
You love your own way still. Is it not
so! But the arrangements need make
no difference. We can stay over day
or two to rest if it will be better for you.
You will like to see the old place and to
visit Aunt Annes grave She was so
fond of you We could stop over for
that.
But Royal would not hear of stopping
over for anything. His private feeling
toward the deceased lady was one of dis
tinct animosity. He hoped orthodoxy
and vengefully that she might be doing
spiritual penance for the trouble and dis
tress likely to be entailed by the acts of
her material life. and would gladly have
known that she was aware Of the mis-
carriage of her plans and greatly tor
mented thereby. He generalized for a.
moment in regard to the old home and
the desire tosee it which he was expected
TO feel: but he made it evident that ne
intended to leave by the first down train.
Unlike brides in general, this young
lady appeared decile and amenable to an
exceptional degree. Royal, in the midst
of his anxiety, wondered over her, and
felt the soul within him moved to graft
tude. Then his professional experience
reminded him that women are usually
submissive to the power conferred by
suffering. In the eyes Of this woman he,
perhaps, appeared a wounded hero.
Her next words made evident that
such was indeed the case
That horrible accident" she muir
INJURED, and quick shudder ran through
her frame. Il cant help feeling that
half has not been told me-that you
have all conspired to keep the worst
back and make light of it, in order to
spare me pain. You poor fellow! how
you must have suffered! twas terrible
"a home coming like that, after six
years exile. When | think of it all-Of
what you have done for me-of what
you are doing for me and enduring for
my sake-and then think of the anxiety
in store for you-for us both-I feel that
a lifetime of love and devotion will
hardly pay interest on the debt owe
you. Am worth it to you, John? Will
| ever be worth it to your"
Her voice trembled little, and Royal
had an intuition that she was holding
back tears. He felt a sudden structure
of the heart, as though the blood had
been drained away. This was not the
happy chatter of girl bride, loving and
beloved. Through this woman's voice
pulsed an undercurrent of pathos, thrill
ing its sweetness like minor chords in
music. He felt, somehow. that in spite
of his best endeavor he was taking un-
fair advantage of the man who had
trusted him, was getting glimpse into
arcana which no stranger unauthorized
should penetrate. His pity grew apace,
and beside it developed devouring
curiosity, until his very breast seemed
strained by stress and completely of
emotion. He yearned to speak to her,
but burst not for lack of proper words
and an assured position, and so dumbly
waited, feeling that if she should con-
tinue to talk in that strain during the
rest of the drive he could not be held &C
countable for his actions
She did not appear to notice his silence
or to be hurt by it: perhaps she was in
some subtle way conscious of the tension
of his mood, or she may have been pre-
occupied by her own thoughts. For
little space there was silence.
That old time is so long ago that you
can't love me IN the old way, John. II
isn't possible There has been SO much
in your life-change, adventure and