Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1901-10-17
jected SO strongly that the girl gave up

the point.
She would not consent to cland"s-
tine marriage, however, at that time
Her lover looked 'grieved, and mist
like moisture dimmed the lustcr of ms
beautiful eyes: but, though her own
overlooked with tears, Lefty remained
firm-for that time.
On their next meeting she did all the
talking, and her lover listened. almos.
in silence, except for an occasional
long drawn sigh or a monosyilaple
spoken in a tone of sadness.
Unable to bear this change, L"t'S
asked, petulantly, what she had done TO
be so treated, and had anything hap-
pened.
Yes" her lover answered. but in a
tone Of deep tenderness. almost Tue
worst that could happen
He had received letters which re-
called him peremptorily. and he could
no longer invent excuses for remaining
away. His father commanded him 10
return: his mother entreated him to
come to her, and his aunt from whom
he had such large expectations. Wept
for him, for she was sick, almost to
death, and he could scarcely hope to
find her alive unless he returned with
out delay.
Poor Lefty listened and turned pale.
A terrible fear seized her, and then she
realized that this stranger had already
become a part of her life.
What would that life be If he should
go out of it? A barren wilderness.
Nothing in all the world could fill the
void left by his a5se nee; for, i'll all the
world, there was nothing like him.
Alas for her there was nothing now
but him!
Anthony, Anthony" she gasped, in
part from your
But must go, carina," he returned.
in the soft and velvet-like tones that
few women could resist. " Rereft of
you, have, indeed no personal inter-
est left in the world; but have name
and family to whom I owe much, and
for the remainder of my life I can live
for them.'
"No, MOI" cried Lefty, clasping her
slender hands about his arm, and look
ing up into his face with beseeching
eyes. you shall not leave me; for if
you do you may not return!"
Her lover shrugged his shoulders, ana
declared he would, indeed try not to
return, since she cared so little for
him, and preferred to see him unhappy,
rather than forego the parade Of a pub
lie marriage.
'You are cruel!" moaned Lefty.
bursting into tears. What do care
for the parade of public marriage? I
only ask to tell my mother; but even
that will defer, since you say it must
be so. I have no will but yours-no
wish but yours. love you better than
all the world, and am yours, now and
forever"
1t was already in the dusk of even
ing, and their place of meeting was a
secluded end almost deserted little park
not far from Letty's own home; and
now, at this complete and impassioned
surrender, her lover caught the slight.
girlish form in his great, powerful
arms, raised her like little child, and
held her clasped to his breast, while his
kisses rained in warm shower on her
brow and lips and cheeks.
"My own fair rosebud" he whs-
pered. "Now believe you love me, in.
deed!'
Before they parted, all the prelimin-
aries for their marriage were arranged,
and neither was late at the appointed
place for the next morning.
Having taken the irrevocable step,
Lefty knew no regret nor any feeling
of uneasiness. The man she loved was
now her husband; she believed in him
implicitly and obeyed him blindly. The
secret of her marriage was no longer
her own, but her husbands, and there
fore she did not even reproach herself
for keeping it from her mother. AL
though she had, in part, spoken of her
love, and Of her happiness in knowing
it returned, to Bertha, she went no fur
Their in her confidence; for her hus-
band forbade her to speak of her mar
riage to any one.
1.-THE time will come, and soon, my
darling" he had said, "whan I will bid
you proclaim it to the world; but till
then breathe it not to any mortal, and
only in a whisper to your own heart"
LAS if I could for moment forget it,
my own, my Anthony, my husbands"
murmured the poor, infatuated girl,
looking at the man she loved with ador-
ing fondness.
Day followed day, and they met con-
stantly, and spent hours that seemed
but minutes, together; and still Letty's
husband postponed his departure from
day to day, declaring that he could not
tear himself away from his loved and
lovely BRIDE but always ending by say
ing that he might be forced to leave
her--for little while-at any moment.
Therefore, when, on certain morn
irg she reached the trysting place first,
and spent hours there, in an agony of
suspense and expectation, without
meeting her husband, she was neither
uneasy nor suspicious of any harm.
Her heart was sore with disappoint-
ment and the pain Of separation, but
not one thought against the truth and
honor and goodness of the man she hao
married disturbed her peace.
HE has had further news from Eng
land,'' she thought, miserahly. He
has been obliged to so to-day. perhaps,
without even a word of goodbye. How
shall bear it? Oh, if could only tell
mamma or Bertha! To share my grief
with some one who loves me would
help me a little; but dare not, for
Anthony forbade me. 1 must shut it
up in my own heart, and wait until my
love comes back to me-and 1 will
But it was impossible for Lefty to
conceal entirely er sadness during the
a hSapna of bo,. 1ouor ar1 To por+l,o,,,