The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1901-04-08

g Yes, you can 60 now. Oh, how
I strange we have been here-all night p
Eugene turned away quickly and
began 10 pat on bis coat Then he came
back and stood beside her. strangely
agitated.
. am going to Dixon for "A carriage, p
he said hnrriediy. a AID, Miss iianford
] viii bring a minister with me and q
witness. 1t is impossible for us to re-
turn 10 New Church until We are marri-
ed. !"
g Whatl" said Marian. almost start
ing from her chair @Maried2 You
and i r.
1t must Ie 50, i he answered decisive
ly. 81 viii .neyeE forea my companion
ship on you you-Will be. perfectly free.
Listen 10 me he spoke quite sternly =
the only way by which yoa can save
yonr reputation or regain yeRf pla-e
before the world isSto let me make you
my wife,
q won't do any snch thing, she
answered instantly. 81 am surprised
you should think that could"
"But l ask It'll for your sake, he said
pointedly. can adventure Of this sort
may be overlooked in man, but ia
woman -
"An adventure, repeated Marian, her
frank, brown eyes full Of astouishment.
"But could we possibly help it, Did We
want TO stay here9 Who in the world
could. blame MS for matter entirely be-
yond our power to control Z"
Eugene looked at her fxedly foSt a
long moment. ''It was in yonr power,
Miss Hanford," he rejoined quietly.
''You would not allow me TO leave you.
am going to Dixon, he re-
peated with added frmness, "to find
minister. In the meantime, Try to use
your reas0n-if that be possible he
could not refrain from this slight thrust
and be assured OF one thing, that it will
not be my fault if yonr good nane is.
is sacrificed through an accident for
which you tell me / was to be blamed in
the first place.
He turned upon his heels and left
her helplessly watching bis retreaing
figure. M
"Geod. morning, Uncle Reub, can I
see Mrs. Lapdk II
"Marihn, shohtol Uncle Reub, putt
ting his head in at the doorway. "eome
down, will your Mr.. Lan--your lnrs-
bands here"
He bestowed a wink on Eugene as he
the word. .Her foot's all
right again. She's goin' up to school
tomorrow, / believe.
He nodded and passed along the YER
anda to the farmyarl gate.
in o moment Marian came. She WAS
and breathing fast, and her
brown eyes were lowered. They barely
touched hands.
81 heard you were about to take mp
school again, he said grayely rs it
truel" .1s
'But Imusi. she answered in a sub
Ilued voice, not daring 20 look at him.
MY term will not end
'Marianl" He caught her gently, |
turned her in his strong arm, AMI then |
Walked herinto the little dark pnrlor,
where the horsehhir sofa and mildew /
We're. Let us talk together a moment /
as friends at least You are my wife.
She WINGED ut the word and Eugene |
Withdrew his arm proudly. "But you
lre q free woman. too. Only / beg You
not to pain me by persisting in this.
[ have settled on you an ample income
money that would have been yours by 1
right, dear, only for the legal injustice
That made it mine. have arranged to
90 away. But / shall 60 away a very
Hretched man unless / can think Of you
jared for and happy. Promise me that
7ou will not teach any more; that you
viii accept your rights as my wife, as
he woman | love.
Don't dare to say you love me- She
stepped back from him, looking very
oale, but very piteous, too. "You are
Iorry for me; aud you think"
81 am not sorry for you," he inter
'upted, firmly. Indeed, no. Who
iould be sorry for one so proud and
old But am sorry for myself" he
Idded, slowly, because, in spite of all
'our faults, do love you dearly"
And then Marian came slowly near,
nd very shyly took hold Of Eugene's
oa. button and examined it closely as
he spoke. 4
'If you love me. she said, softly
you took q long time to tell me 50.