The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1902-09-13
BY H. S. CANFIEID
CHAPTER IV.-(Continued)

Maude stood before her. erect, his
Aeao thrown slightly back, his face
pale, his lips compressed. She felt
rather than saw then that he was be-
tween her and the ranche-house so
shat she could not leave him abruptly.
'Ah1s tended to anger her. She thought
rapidly. This was proposal of mar
mage; the man was asking her to be
his wife. He was a gentleman born
assuredly, still on the right side of
aorty, cultured, experienced He was
che friend and associate of other gen.
eieinen, so that there could be nothing
RADICALLY wrong with him. Before her
ssretched a prospect of long years in
she school-room, the necessity of earn
hhs ner bread, or of walking alone
through the world, under the impalp-
able shadow which clings about every
woman devoid of male protection. It
was not cheering. On the other hand,
she did not love him. There was so
little doubt of it that she had never
asked herself the question. He was
neither especially attractive nor repel-
lent to her. She felt that he would
compel the respect of any woman, but
respect is one thing and love is an
other. She had seen loveless unions
and their desperate results and she had
NO mind to make one. At the same
Elme, he was doing her the highest
honor that man can pay. He was will
Ing to take her absolutely on trust. If
~ - ~ 1xr,
nothing of hers, nor had he shown
any disposition to inquire Frying
was not a part of Maude's nature.
There was a certain recklessness in
him that showed sometimes under the
iron calm of his manner. He was en-
titled to consideration. There could
be no doubt of that, either All of
this flashed through her brain in the
ave seconds which interviewed between
his proposal and her reply. Still he
stood between her and the house and
this was irritating, so she said clearly
and Jelly:
II am not going to seek protection,
Mr.. Maude I have no thought of flee
ing to Mrs. Glynn."
He bit his lip, but moved instantly
to one side. Then she half-turned,
faced him and went on:
<@This is my first proposal. I am
twenty-five years old, but you are the
only man who has asked me to marry
him. I appreciate the honor you do
me, believe me. l appreciate the fact
that, not knowing or asking who or
what I am, you have offered to make
me your wife, to place your name in
my keeping. l am hattered by this.
am fattered further by the fact that
che offer comes from one who has seen
the world and many women. Still, I
can not answer you Yes While you
Offer me much, you are asking much.
It is all of my future life you require.
The woman who marries must be pre-
pared to lose her old self and find
new self that will be happier and bet
GeS. This is sometimes done, but not
always. respect you'll may even say
that like you-but liking is not love
His face had grown grayer as she
proceeded. His eyes were fixed in
tently upon her face as if he would
read every thought thereon. Once or
twice he had started to speak and
checked himself. Now, as he saw the
words shaping themselves which would
deny him that which he craved, the
pent-up passion in him broke loose
He seized her hand roughly, fiercely,
and try as she might she could not dis
engage it. He spoke rapidly and
Aoarsely:
"Wait! Do not say that which you
may repent and which will make my
life black. When first saw you some
thing new and strong came from you
TO me and entered into me and gripped
my soul. You are all earth and the
hereafter to me! Sun, moon, stars, the
sea and winds, hope, desire, ambition,
strength of body and will, life itself are
in you. In all past years T have
dreamed Of woman. On Asian
Hteppes, on African sands, in tropic for
-ests, on the bosoms of broad rivers.
on wind-beaten seas, in the clamor
and clangor of huge cities, on peaceful
VGUSllSu COuuC1 y -o1uco, Ill uOOO-0OurS
and neighbours she has come to me-
and I know now that the woman is
you. For this I have waited. Other
men have fought for riches, or celeb
rity, or for the joy of fighting I have
~etriven only that I might win to the
place where you were standing and
waiting. have come; you have come
Some invisible hand has directed our
steps. 7 know not whether this hand
Is benign or. hateful, but it has done
dts work. Why else should i be here
and you here? Lois, I love you. Yo GU
are more beautiful than any vision
that ever visited the aching eyeballs OF
q dying Inner of starved body and
throbbing brain. Do not answer me
tonight. I have been hurried should
have waited: butt could not walt
longer. You are surrounded BY men
younger than ]; more light hearted;
anore suited to you II every way. II Il
hsemed to me that must speak now
forfeit my chance 81 81 happiness