The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1901-11-07
A STORMY WOOING
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Yes, and 4 Wonld XIII any
man that stood between me
and gour'
Annie gave a little laugh How dare
she when hes very soul was shaken by
the violence Of her lovers passion.
when. IN the darkness. she could see
the sparklee shoot out Of the gloom Of
his eyes she knew that bis knit brow
was bent close upon her, and bis hands
were holding hers Ike a vice. But
coquetry was a part Of Annie as the
foam is part Of the waves She gloried
in her power
Then there would be two dead men
OF you an on my account Two fu-
nerals here IN the port. and two ghosts
Of You 20 haunt me ever after on dark
nights It Is a iine offer Richard. and
40 sensible"
The young man rccolled little un-
der lhe taunt as a great oak might
move in a winter storm. He laid bis
hands on the girls shoulders and held
her oa az arms length.
TO love you Is 20 hate you. Annie
Bergen. and 20 bate you Is 10 love you
and / love YOU he said. drawing her
% him in a fierce embrace
Suddenly the eirl broke down. all her
coquetry was gone as the foam goes
when the wave breaks and leaves moth
Ing but little ficks Of mist which
creep sobbing into the earth. Annie
was weeping on her lover's h-easi her
wet cheek nest to his.
"You love me. Annie. I know Il at
last. thank God. ana SOU VIII marry
me. Speak girl. and give me yorr
promise"
Then she spoke They were only
tremul0us. aud broken words with
fearful Joy half sobhed, half spoken.
but they made her the betrothed OF
Richard Cranahaw.
Was IL au hour or only a few min
utes they stood there togeihors Happy
lovers. they could not tell Suddenly
q door was opened and a long bar of
light shot ont into the darkness With
the lieht came iho sound Of music and
daueine and ihc sight OF dancers
whlfllne past tbe open door.
fThey are looking for us. said An-
nIes've must SO Ga Tor the last dance "
1T is my last dance Tor a long time.
] sail tomorrow"
There wee no traces OF tears on
Annie's face except the shining OF her
cheeks which flashed as roses do in
the last drops OF a summer shower.
her lips were tromulous with shy ten
derness. and her eyes shot sparkles Of
triumph. Huch a face. SO quickened in
thp strife % pride aud love. one might
never charce 20 see in a whole life
time 81 caught the gaze Of the dancers
as they swept past when The music
stopped the young men edged about
'hF spot where She stood
n have been looking Tor vou for
the last dance said a dapper youne
man. who made bow more elaborate
than that IN practice by the young men
OF Seaport Ho was clearly q travel
ing man. Tile air OF cities. Of hotels.
and % sleeping cars was upon him
Tie had come 10 the place 10 sell goods
and 10 show samples. had made ac-
Quainiances ~ The young men: stayed
% the dance and been introduced 10
some Of The girls
"oh. Mr. MarQuett.~ cried Annie 81
really fear you are mistaken. do not
remember giving you this dancer
1T is a mistake somewhere said
Fred Parker. a young man who had
the village store Its the dance en-
gagged you fer ten DAYS ago when we
were talking 81 getting up the assem-
bly,"
"oh. Fred. Annie answered lightly
''you know I have not any memory
and you ought not TO have asked me
SO long beforehand
"Its my dance. and you know it,
muttered Richard in suppressed
tone. which only Annie heard. he
siocd close to Der side glowerinc with
black brows upon the group. She
could hear him breathing hard The
situation was getting to De ridiculous
"Let me seer She cried. checking or
her partners with a motion Of her pret.
~ forehuger. Fred. ten days ago.
Mr. Marquett five hours. and you just
now" turning with 4 look into Rich
ards eyes. well. I win take the hap
py mean and dance with Mr. Mar
Quett,H and away she whlfled Fred
Parker with easy facility whirled III
ter her with another partner II Rich
ard Cranshaw had done the same he
might have danced or his foolish jcal-
ousy. Gnd saved his soul from crime
whose shadow dogged him Ike 4
bloodhound for the best years OF his
life.
But no. he watched Annie with
gloomy eyes for a few moments. then
bis face set and hard be stepped cut