The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1897-04-08

Voih'y Sof ooino Poino Wnoro Oney mlgnC
cross.
"No use," said Paul at last. "Wc could
not even swims across without almost
certainly losing our lives. No, we must
simply make the best Of bad matter, Miss
situation as philosophically as we can. f"
Then thoughtfully moment after: Cant
we find shelter of some kind, do you
think? 1t will kill you to be exposed to
this chilling storm all night"
"All night" Mae echoed in low, tense
whisper. Yet not so low but that Beres-
ford caught it, as well as the little gasp
ing break in the breath that uttered it,
"There is an empty miners cabin not
very far from here" she said very quietly
aloud. "If had not been SO foolish as to
hnger to explore it, should have not been
caught in this awkward dilemma
''Let us go there, then" he answered
gently. "It will be some slight protection
for you at least, and as for me-
His low voice died into silence and in
silence they went on until the little,
empty, desolate cabin was reached.
Fortunately Paul had some matches in
his pocket, and equally so E.ae remembered
having seen "a quantity Of pine fagots scat
tered about the hut. So 1t was but few
minutes until bright fire was blazing
upon the neglected hearth, and the un-
canny darkness fled before it's CHEEKY light
Having thus made her ms comfortable as
no could, Paul rose to his feet and hastily
began buttoning his coat close about his
chin.
For an instant Mae watched him in.
tently a strange softness yelling the luster
of her hazel eyes Then:
"No, MIR. Beresford," she said, with
gentle flrmness, laying one little banda
touch as light as falling snowflake-on
his sleeve, ''you must not-shall not-go
outside and spend all this long, dreary
night in the pitiless storm. You have as
much right as / to the shelter of this roof
and the comfort of this cheerful fire. DO
not leave them and go out into the storm
unless you wish to make me more unhappy
than am
He turned and looked curiously ut her
for good half minute.
Then, seeing in her clear, honest, hazel
eyes that she meant just what she said, he
answered simply:
''Then l will stay here, Miss Lisbon"
And throwing himself down upon the
opposite side of the glowing hearth, the
two talked or fell into troubled silence as
their moods inclined them.
The morning sun was bringing out all
the golden glints In Macs pretty chestnut
hair by the time they found it possible to
cross the treacherous gulch.
AS they. rode homeward both were
strangely silent, and Paul's face was white
and tense with the ferceness of some in.
ward struggle.
After a little he turned to her abruptly
and said in husky tones:
Miss Lisbon, after last nights adven-
ture l suppose you know that there is
only one course for us to take. You un-
derstand mo, do you notY''
II think do, Mr.. Beresford," I" she an
swered after brief silence in accents loud
er than whisper.
"Then'-more hoarsely still-"I ask
you to become my wife at once. We can
ride to the Rev. Mr.. Martins and have
tho ceremony performed before we 60
home at all, and then no one dare say q
word against your name"
II he had only been looking at her then,
he must have pitied her.
That finely chiseled, strong, yet dain-
tily lovely face of hers crimsoned painfully
at first, then grew white as the purest
snow, and she trembled SO violently that
she seemed in danger of falling to the
ground.
But she soon rallied, and then her low,
clear, silvery voice startled him from his
painful reveries.
Your proposal Is q generous one, Mr..
Beresford," 1t said, with a sweet, touch
ing little waver in it's accents-'it is man.
ly, noble-and it is like yourself. But,
with full understanding of all that it i'm.
plies, / cannot accept it,
He turned, with look Of amazement
in his dark, despairing eyes
Miss Lisbon-Mae, he calculated,
''do you know what you are saying? DO
you realize the peril TO your pure reputa.
tion from the vile harpies who will be only
too ready TO attack ity My God, have you
counted the COST
Il have, she answered, turning to him
at last, with brave sweet smile on her
lovely face. Il was doing that all through
the long, dragging hours Of last night. |
know that your love is given elsewhere,
Paul Beresford, and will not permit you
to wreck the happiness of your own life
and-another's--sim that you may thus
shield the honor of mine Let those talk
who wilP'-lifting her bright head with q
gesture of infinite pride. My character il
as stainless as it ever was, and do not
need forced marriage to maintain its
purity"
"God bless you, Miss Lisbon" he mur
INJURED, leaning over to clasp and kiss the
pretty hand which rested lightly ON he,
horses neck. If over you need defend
er, am ready to serve you to the last
throb of loyal, grateful heart!"
Of course the story of Macs terrible ad
venture was already broadcast Throughout.
the social world. And, though Paul Bcres
ford did not let any one remain i'm igno
rance OF Macs refusal to marry him, nor
indeed, of any other fact i'm regard to hel
purity and heroism, still there was plenty
Of malicious slandcr, and poor Mae Otter
felt most kcenly the bitterness Of her DO
| sition.
| But what was Paul Beresford's g surpris
and disgust when one day he found tina
Elise Turley, the woman he had loved
was among the prosecutors of the girl VIII,
had sacrificed so much for her and him.
And one day he electrified Mae LisboI
by saying to her bluntly: =.
| Mac, l ask you again to he my wife
and ask you now because L love an,
honor you above NIL other women ON thi
Il earth IlDpff p.f,ua "a