The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-07-04

months?" she cried. repeating frag-
ments of the one brief sentence In
which he had told her of his purpose.
"I--I didn't know you were going
away"
mo more did I, till an hour and a
half ago. But when ones another
mans man, or company's man, he
never Is certain where tomorrow will
find him."
"What does it all mean? I suppose
it's because you're a mining engineer"
ITS because I have educated the
company into believing I'm a mining
expert" he smiled. He rested an elbow
upon the mantel against which he
leaned, and dropped his head into his
widespread hand. "You know our COM
pany controls two or three mines in
Mexico, and in Mexico sudden death
now and then strikes man. 1t struck
the manager of one of these mines this
morning; a couple of dissatisfied Greas-
ers employed about the mines acted as
deaths agents, as near as / can learn.
The company received a telegram about
the affair a couple of hours ago, and
decided at once to send me down to
take charge of the mine for the pres
ent. 1 shall have to stay six months.
The president promised me little va
cation then, during which 1 can come
back North. But may have to return
again."
All this he said easily and calmly
enough-some of it even lightly. But
now his voice suddenly grew soft and
took on deeper meaning, and he
raised his head from his hand and
leaned forward
"As soon as they told me I had to so
I knew there was one thing I would
have to do before I could leave-see
you. l could not make arrangements
and come to you both, for my first
through train for the southwest was
due in three hours. So I left all the
arrangements to them and hurried from
the office: they are to send a note to
me here telling me what they've done
and here am."
He broke off abruptly, was silent dur
Ing the time it took him to draw several
tensely: "And you know why 1 have
come"
"How lonely you will be down there"
she murmured, hurriedly and illogically.
Her eyes had several minutes since
uIOppSu AdSG " lilC LUZ NC.
meath his feet.
He caught her up eagerly. "Thats
just it, how lonely I'll be down there!"
He was beside her chair in a step,
bending low over her and talking rap
idly. II did not mean to tell you of
my love so soon. You have known me
only a few months, and l wanted you
to know me thoroughly before l asked
you to give yourself to me-to let me
give myself to you. But when l learned
two hours ago that would not see you
again for months and months, I was
struck cold with the thought of the
lonely life before me, and I felt l could
not leave without telling you how much
care and learning whether you care
for me. Think how much your love
will mean to me when I am down there
all by myself If you love me We'll be
married when I come back-in six
months-if you will. Do you not care
for me. dear?"
With each eager word his head had
sunk lower and lower. until, when he
ventured the dear" his face was but
few inches from her own, and she
felt his warm breath in her hair. What
he had said had set her heart to throb-
hing wildly, and the answer he desired
quivered on her lips. But there is an
imp of perversity that sometimes lays
hold of woman and forces her to an
action directly opposite to the one she
intends. Only in his existence can be
found an explanation for the laugh that
came from Miss Thorne's lips at this
tense moment.
He shrank back as though from a
deadly danger, and his face whitened
to the color of paper. He stared down
at her, dazed, panied, too sick at heart
for the instant to feel anger.
With her face in her hands she sat
appalled, by the enormity of her in
voluntary act For minute she could
not move, but when she heard his cold
and controlled words, II did not know
meant that little to you," she sprang to
her feet.
moi Mo-" she cried. IT did not
mean that"
But before she could explain. before
he could see that she meant to explain,
her opportunity for an explanation was
at an end.
At this instance maid appeared in
the doorway. "Mr. Garrison is below"
she said: and before Miss Thorne could
make reply of any sort Mr.. Garrison
himself appeared beside the maid.
II took the liberty of following my
own card up" he announced, and he
entered with the easy assurance of a
man who has been received so often
that he is certain of his welcome He
bowed toward Miss Thorne, and gave a
less deep inclination in Wade's direc-
tion.
Though down in her heart Miss
Thorne resented the appearance of Mr..
Garrison, yet in 1t she found tempor-
ary relief from the painful situation
caused by her involuntary laugh, and
she went toward him with right hand
outstretched and with smile on her
face. I'm very glad to see you," she
said
Wade. with hope In his breast that
had just met violent death, stiffened
visibly at this reception accorded the
man whom report had for his rival. He
added together Garrison's welcome and
the laughter with which his avowal of
love had been received. The result was
as obvious as the sum of one and two.
Her heart was in the keeping of this
other man.
There was within Wade too great an |
emotional tumult for him to give any
heed to the conversation that followed. |
His great desire was to receive the
earliest opportunity to escape without
making his retirement seem too much
like retreat So it was that the en-
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