The Kalispell bee. [volume] (Kalispell, Mont.) 1900-192?, 1902-01-18

at work. The two had always been
friends, but now they became the most
devoted companions. Hans watched
anxiously every morning until the little
one came running over the dixie in her
little wooden shoes, seated herself upon
log and began her eager prattle.
The boat was soon finished. One day
Marie came, but not alone; it was Marya,
at whose reluctant hand the child
tugged in her Impotence to reach her
friend. Like phantom, her figure was
outlined against the sky, as she stood
motionless for moment upon the sum-
NIT of the dixie before descending it's
grassy slope with slow and weary steps.
Hans knew who was coming and NUT
tered: Foolish heart, be quiet"
| Quite exhausted with her walk, Marya
was obliged to sit down at once
81 congratulate you on your recov-
cry, Marya," said Hans. at is better
for you to come out with Marie, and
no longer NOPE in the house. 1t must
have gone pretty hard with you-you
are as white as new sail. viii you
not have a bit of bread?"
! He brought out his frugal lunch and
urged her to share it with him, but she
shook her head as she brushed the dark
tresses back from her pale brow with
an almost transparent hand.
keep on with your work. would
rather you would do that than look at
me so pitifully, and then can say bet
ter what have to say. Hans Frerik,
must become your wife, but do not tell
! c;p T y,,1,calf 7
here with the child to tell you, because
no one is here to listen to what we say"
Hans Frerik fairly opened his mouth
in establishment; then, selling his ham
mer, he struck bolt in the boat such a
vigorous blow that the pale young
woman trembled with the shock.
Throwing the hammer aside, he said:
do not be offended because am so
clumsy, for you know that l an an
awkward fellow. Don't look down
there at those cattle, Marya-they will
get their food without your Watching
look into my face and tell me why you
now want for husband one whom you
formerly could not bear in your sight"
81 do not ask that you shall be my
husband, but must be your wife" an
swered Maya, without turning her
eyes. .tau |Ta9 9a}uu
~ is it not all the same?" asked Hans. q
She shook her head. ''Grandfather
told me that last day, that you are the
wisest man on the island, that you have
thoughts that never come to anyone
else. If that is true, you must surely
understand me now. Am /, poor, mis-
cradle creature, really so strange that
no one can understand me?"
An expression of wise comprehension
/ shone in Hans Frerik's face, but he
1 only replied: Can a ship keep on it's
7 course without rudder? Can under
stand how you came to change your
mind about me unless | can read the
1 thoughts that lie hidden in your brain?
4 But no-you women have your reason
in your heart-that must account for it. -
Not this time" answered Marya; 81
wanted to be rid of you, and in an evil
hour committed crime. No one has
said harsh word to me about it, but
cannot rest, and will nevermore be at
peace until | am your wife-that is, if
you still want me after all that horror.
| will be true and faithful wife to
you" ...........
She spoke more and more rapidly
and looked up at him as anxiously as
if she expected a crushing thunderbolt
to fall with his refusal. Hans laid his
broad shoulder against one of the hind
most supports that served to hold the
boat upright. and, after considerable
effort, the prop gave way and fell upon
the sand He loosened another and still
another, for the boat was finished and
ready to be launched. The honest fell
low did this in order to gain time for a
much greater effort than the physical
one had been.
Speak to me just one word, pleaded
the young woman.
Hans folded his hands behind him,
with averted eyes fixed upon boat
pushing out to sea. II know you should
still be gently dealt with, Marya, but,
although do not know how to say it,
it must be said. l cannot accept your
offer"
Marya did not cry out, but dark
flush crept over her face, 30, Hans
Frerik, consider that was not in my
right mind when put out the lights in
the lantern. o, my God, what is to be-
come of me! If it were not for my
child, the sea would be the best resting
place for me. l might have known you
would scorn and despise one who could
do such terrible deed" She groaned
and tried to rise.
"Hush!" Hans cried, almost rudely
"How do you know what I think Of
you now? But" he continued more
gently, ''you do not know your own
mind, Marya You want to marry me
because you cannot endure me, and the
heavier the burden you can take uI
the better you will like it. In this
way you think you can atone for the
wrong you have done. Tel me, is il
not sop
AS Marya merely nodded, he con
tinued: "Your guilt is only imaginary
Heaven had SO confused your mind il
that dark hour that you did no
know what you did. The storm, will
| oil SIC forrorc anna without xro,,u 1,