The Red Cloud chief., 1897-09-10

Nhen VIII you GOMEZ demanded
the lady.
Give me time. please" pleaded
Marjorie: "in a day or two. maybe
after the sale. | should like to stay
till | can stay no more"
So 1t was settled, to Marjorie's great
relief; and Mr.. Mentelth led the great
lady back to her carriage.
At sunset that day. as Marjorie left
the manse and crossed over to the old
churchyard. she was accosted by John
Sutherland. who had been waiting at
the gate some time in expectation of
her appearance. She gave him her
hand sadly. and they stood together
talking in the road.
They tell me you are going to stop
AT the Castle. Is that so, Marjorie?"
I'm not sure; maybe"
III You so, may | come to see you
there? | shan't be long in Annandale.
In a few weeks | am going back TO Lon
don"
He paused. as If expecting her to
make some remark; but she did not
speak. and her thoughts seemed far
away.
Marjorie" he continued, II wish I
could say something to comfort you in
your trouble. for, though my heart Is
full, | can hardly find my tongue. 1t
seems as If all the old life was break
Ing up under our feet and carrying us
far asunder. For the sake of old times
we shall be friends still. shall we
not?"
Yes. Johnnie. OF course" was the re-
ply. You've aye been very good to
me-"
Because loved you, Marjorie. All.
don't be angry-don't turn away-for
I'm not going to presume again upon
our old acquaintance. But now that
death has come our way, and all the
future seems cloudinG. | want to say
just this-that come what may. | shall
never change. I'm not asking you to
care for me-I'm not begging you t.,ls
time to give me what you've maybe
given to another man: but | want you
to be sure. whatever happens. that
you've n faithful friend at least in
the world, who would die to serve you,
for the sake of what you were to him
lang syne."
The words were so gentle. the tone sc
low and tender. the manner of the mar
so full Of melancholy sympathy ant
respect that Marjorie was deeply
touched.
"Oh, Johnnie" she said, you know
! have always loved you-always trust
ed you, as If you were my brother"
"As your brother, then. let II be-" an
swered Sutherland sadly. II don't car,
what title it is, so long as it gives m,
the right to watch owe you"
To this Marjorie said nothing. Sh,
continued to walk quietly onward, an,
Sutherland kept by her side. Thu
, they passed together through tn,
|, c%hurchyard and anne to the spot wher,
: Mr.. Lorraine IA at rest. Here sh'
fell upon her knees and quietly kisse,
the grave.
Had Sutherland been less moved b,
; his w grief, he might have notice,
I, something strange in the girls man
ner, for she kissed the ground almos
I ~passionately. and murmured between
her sobs, "Good-by, good-by!"
She was recalled to herself by Suth
erland's voice.
Q Don't cry, Marjorie" he said.
. "Ah, | cant help It," she sobbed
I you are all so good to me-far bette
than I deserve"
They left the churchyard together
and wandered back to the manse gate
When they paused again, Sutherlan
took her hand and kissed it.
"Gocd-by, Johnrie."
v mo, not good-by. I may come an
see you again. Marjorie, mayn't I, be
g fore / go away?"
n YES" she returned, tiff 70
4 like"
a And, Marjorie, maybe the next tim
there'll be folk by, SO that we cannc
O speak. l want you to promise me on
d thing before we part this night"
n What do you WISH" said Marjorl,
# shrinking buff fearfu'ly away.
y "Only tn, :, that as you've given me
sisters 10y :. you'll give me also a ST.
g ter's trust; | want to think whom II
away in tn great city that IL you wei
In trouble you'd send right away 20 m
:, Just think always. Marjorie, that |
If your brother. ALL be sure there ism
a thing in this world wouldn't do f,
l. you"
1t He paused, but Marjorie did not al
S, swer: she felt she could not spea
The unsel6sh devotion OF the your
man touched her more than any OF h
lie ardent love-making had done.
he Marjorie, will you promise me
Promise what?"
1T "To send to me II you're in trouble
r. TO let me be you brother indeed"
She hesitated for a moment; tn,
IN she gave him her hand.
- Eyes, Johnnie, | promise" she sal
o. "Good-by."
lie mo; goodnight, Marjorie"
Goodnight she repeated, as 81
On left his side and entered the manse.