New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-05-17

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time. 1t is like death to go away from you, my
darling. YoI don't know
He paused. All didn't I know? l had been
thinking of his love ever since that time in the
little room at Rachel Cobb's-the memory Of his
words. and voice and look, had been underneath
all my thoughts and deeds. Why not confess this
10 myself now? But could not confess IL to him.
! ] shrank from such confession every woman at
first shrinks.
There's Maverick" he went on
I Here smiled and exclaimed emphatically:
That IL rdculous.
ooh you don't know that man as know him.
And there's my aunt, 1t is not impossible that she
may change her mind. Sne has many shades OF
| moods as a peacock has colors.'
Tam done with Miss Runciman." I said bitterly
mo matter: don't know why feel so horribly
uncertain. 1t is enough that do feel So
Nane was talking fast; flush had risen to his
face There was something desperate In his man
ner
Il give UP asking you to go with me- Billy" he
said but can't give up my hope that you'll let
Mr. Moreton marry us here on the train. stop.
Don't speak yet, You are going to be my wife.
Why not marry me now? You have no reason
unless YOU don't love me enough. Billy. did YOU
mean 1t when you said you loved me-?
He looked at me with an agony Of ontrcaty In
his eyes.
"Did mean 1t? cried.
Yes, did you?"
ooh yes yes" In a distressed whisper
Then marry me now tell YOU IT is God him
self who has given us this opportunity. Then I
shall cross the water with the thought OF my wife
in my heart
Why need I repeat all he said, and all my heart
responded?
consented Vane went back to find Mr.. More
ton I sat cold and still. and without coherent
thought in my mind. awaiting his return
In a few moments he came back for me and
followed him. His face was so set and pale ana
at the same time resplendent, that could only
give IL one swift glance.
He took me t. compartment where were MI
Moreton. two other men and woman
witnesses" thought duly. when saw these
latter.
Mr. Noreton crashed my hand in a firm way as
he said rapidly that under the circumstances he
had consented to do as his friend Mr. Hildreth had
asked him to do OF course it was little irregu-
lar but in good faith. and would be as binding as
If were in my fathers house with bridesmaids
about me. Here he smiled slightly
Ten minutes later the ceremony had peen per-
formed Mr. Moretor congra tula ted US. and then
the unknown two men and the unknown woman
congratulated us The latter. plying my position,
! think, kissed me and Whispered tha' ii'us'
bear up.
Vane tried to listen to something that Mr. More,
ton told him about the certificate Nanes race sun
had a very determined expression upon IL. lie
turned from the clergyman and for the third time
looked al his watch.
I'VE have just fifteen minutes before the train
stops at W Junction" he said stifiy.
The woman hurriedly said something 10 the
| men, and the group quickly left the compartment
! Vane and were alone. sat down ana ne placed
| himself beside He put his arm about me.
| With his other hand beneath my chin he gently
| lifted my face until he could look down into my
| eyes.
| ola "rpmpmbpr-
| remember always that love you-ove you-as
I've never loved any human being in this world
God fosgive me. Oh, how love YOU.
Then he kissed me with something or the
solemnity he had used in speaking.
We hardly spoke again. The train was dashing
on at a great speed Nahe ana sat Close 'ose'"e''
he holding me 10 him.
Finally he said
Il shall come back as soon as can AND snail
write" Then after moment. You VIII never
know how ! thank you for doing this-for showing
me your love-
The train began to slow 1t stopped.
Tell me you love me-" he whispered.
| II love YOU answered. He kissed me again.
Three minutes later Vane was gone, ana the
train was gathering speed as 1t left the junction
| behind 1t.
began to be keenly afraid that some one would
| come and speak to | rose and left the car.
going forward until I came to the car had first
| entered l found my satchel in the rack where
| Vane had put IT we had both forgotten IT,
An old man was in the seat beneath the satchel;
| he made room for me t. sit beside him sat
fearing all the time that the old man would speak
| to me. At last saw that he was asleep Then
| 1t came over me with terrible power that would
give everything, my life even thought, II could
| undo what had just been done. Oh. why had
done it? Why had done 1t? longed to start up
and scream that question aloud
! held myself down my seat and did not open
| my lips | had consented to the marriage; and
| loved Vane. There no doubt as TO my love for
him. surely 5 Then why should isS ns wny
| clandestine character. And now that was away
from Vane thought | could plainly that an
| engagement would have been far better until his
| return. Then, all at once my thoughts took a
! turn. and thrilled with happiness because had
| not refused, because was his wife. The memory
of his face was like his caress; and his eyes. the
| beautiful, magnetic eyes that had made me love
| him from the very first
| would tell mother everything. She would not
| approve, but all the same, she would comfort and
| counsel me.
This last resolution gave a superficial peace
for time. Then presently went through again
the entire round Of frenzied regret al what had
done the ecstatic JOY in Vane's love: and CROPPED
after the peace my mothers affection would give
me; but that fleeing peace would not come
again. I hardly thought of father, and that
seemed strange.
The day wore on at last. BY the time had
reached the town which was the end Of my car
| ride | worn out with that constant whiri
| Of thought that my mind was merc!fuy dulled.
| stood the platform and watched the train
glide away ] had fancy that 1t took ,,s from from me
| onged to Miss Runciman thought that all my
| fervid ambition to learn TO sing had been de-
| stroyed. | had come back humbled and old. Yes
| smile now as recall how Old felt as waited
| In front Of the bit Of station. There no
| one there al the moment but the agent who was
| hauling some freight toward the shed provided for
| 1t. The big boxes made scrunching noise and
! the sound grated terribly my nerves.
The station master had looked at me. and had
! said | supposed there was depot carriage to
Worthing; and he answered "Oh. yes, but some
| times Il was little late"
so ! walked back and forth gazing the desc
late brown landscape with its bare trees Only
some willows by brook showed In their branches
that il was ApriI-their Redeemed bark betrayed
that the sun had come north.
Very soon | heard the rattle OF wheels. Two
brown horses came up to the door Of the station,
bringing the familiar. long. covered wagon with