Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1899-07-15


the subject to Rcse herself. He soon
began To see, however. that the girl was
losing her bloom and that the pretty,
appealing blue eyes were growing
dark-ringed and sunken- Then il was
quite impossible for the engineer to
keep still any longer. One day as Rose
waited upon him at table Che had ar
rived lateS. he blurtel out:
Rose, what is the matter with your"
She started nervously as though she |
feared he was finding fault with her |
service. and the sudden terrified look |
in her eyes brought a lump into Frank
iyn't throat.
Come. [ want to be your friend" he !
said lis there anything 1 can do for
your"
she glanced around tearfully, but
shook her head
Come, my dear. you must trust me.
he said. soothingly. You are not hap
py. Would you like to get away from
tkis hole?"
For an instant her face lit up; but
then the cloud returned and she shook
her head sadly.
Il can't leave here" she whispered.
Its got to be-"
You mean to say you've got to mar
~ that Conley?'
She nodded flushing to her forehead.
Franklyn. Disguised with such tame
ness. was tempted to let her alone. But
something impelled him to say:
You don't love the fellow. do your"
The red in her cheeks deepened and
for an instant there was a flash OF an
ger in her eyes
What must you think OF me to ask
that question:" she asked bitterly.
Franklyn fastened to make peace.
Pardon me, Rose. But when a girl
so tamely abides by such a thing as
this it makes me wonder"
"Abidesi" She repeated the word
with a world Of passion in her voice.
yet still speaking under her breath.
do you suppose fer an instant, Mr..
Franklin, that l am not forced to this
awful thing?"
why don't you leave, them"
She looked down upon him for an in
slant with that hard light of anger still
in her eyes. Suddenly she unfastened
the print gown she wore at the throat
: and, turning her back to him, stripped
/ the light dress down over her shoulder
! The tender flesh was crossed and re-
> crossed with great blue welts. FranklyI
leaped up with passionate oath, but
r the girl few at him and pressed hel
: hand over his lips.
n "Husht Hushi For Gods sakei
4 ought not to have shown you. Yol
. will bring someone in here"
: Franklin was forced back into hi
chair breathless with rage.
A "WhO--who did that?" he demanded
r Uncle. But Hi Conley held me-"
q Franklyn's face was deadly white
o What was Il for?"
4 Because tried 10 run away.
>. was day before yesterday" She hal
!. fastened her dress again and was sob
r hing softly. Uncle would let me hav
l., no money to go away and I tried Z
N walk. They caught me after l ha
20 gone nearly twenty miles, had al
: most reached Emsden. They brough
- me back and-and Uncle Abe did tina
J. with his riding whip. IL canno
\ stand such treatment; am a coward,
p she was trembling now and half faint
ing. He said he would kill me IL
told anybody"
70 Franklyn got up, leaving his Dime
,s scarcely tasted. IF you will let m
N help you. I swear you shall get ava
70 from this place" he said
~ II am afraid OF Uncle Abe and Ill.,"
\, "Tll get you away IL there were
=, dozen Uncle Abes and Conleys Their
- are legal means-even in a communit
q like this-to force them to give you NJ
10 l suppose, though, that your uncle
n your legal GUARDIAN"
- Rose nodded.
- And how old are your"
= Seventeen"
u And to be tied to that scoundrel!
muttered FTanklyn. There was II
. sound of a gruff voice in the out,
= room; he recognized 1t as Conley'
= Rose shrank away, the terror comir
e. back into her eyes.
Keep up your heart" whispered IL
u engineer. "I'll make my plans. see
90 lawyer and tell you what steps to tai
yn when come back the next time" The
,S;t he lounged out into the barroom. pa
-. his score to Abe, nodded to Conley al
10 set out for the lumber camp.
When he got back to Bannock's
Ze was nearly dark. He saw Rose n
n, where about the house, although
ID. loitered a moment or two; but goiI
iAs down to his ice boat little figure ere
oO out of the bushes and spoke to him.
DIS rs it you, Rose?"
''Yes." she whispered. He cou
'se scarcely see her face, but the fact tn
SIs she stood so near him thrilled hi
he strangely. He had begun by PITY
ite | the girl, but he found himself wond
lie tng If he should end by falling in lC
dc with her.
, rn 'Iu do what can for you befor,
,a- come up next time" he said, and
ita spoke more coldly than he intend
w She shrank back a little.
90 IL only wanted to tell you tina
.nt that If you can bring me any help
no must be very soon."
80 "Why?"
Because uncle and Hi are det
nee mined that the-the matter shall {
quickly. Perhaps they are afraid y
be- tell somebody"
he You mean that they are going to
ak you married right aWay?"
hat Eyes"
bad "How? There's no minister In tn
ILL parts now"
sful But there's justice OF the peace
The at the Falls, a friend OF His. He'll
ore it in spite OF any objections on
her part"
Frankiyn's jaws came together "
her, a snap. "When?" he asked.
the mot for several days, think.