The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1902-08-15
CHAPTER 1v.-(continued.)

= H. 70.
CHAPTER IV.-(Continued)
I ask you now
2aude Giood before her, erect, his
hsad thrown slightly back, his face
0aAe, his lips compressed. She felt
4 s1ther than saw then that he was be-
oWoen her and the ranche-house so
that she could not leave him abruptly.
Ehis tended to anger her. She thought
4 taptdly. This was a proposal OF mar
sSase; the man was asking her to be
Die wife. He was a gentleman born
Aosaredly, still on the right side OF
0erty, cultured, experienced. He was
y - friend and associate Of other gen.
tssmen, SO that there could be nothing
4 radically wrong with him. Before her
stretched prospect of long years in
M - school-room, the necessity of earn
Fl ~ her bread, or of walking alone
through the world, under the impalp-
ebse shadow which clings about every
ia. oman devoid of male protection. 1t
~as not cheering. On the other hand,
- did not love him. There was so
tile doubt of it that she had never
osked herself the question. He was
sstther especially attractive nor repel-
mt to her. She felt that he would
81 eDpel the respect of any woman, but
y tlsDect is one thing and love is an
oeher. She had seen loveless unions
40ad their desperate results and she had
'ss00 mind to make one. At the same
eane, he was doing her the highest
5s1snor that man can pay. He was will
nc TO take her absolutely on trust. If
- knew nothing of his past, he knew
aoehfng Of hers, nor had he shown
Any disposition to inquire. Prying
Nos not a part of Maude's nature.
EAare was a certain recklessness in
- that showed sometimes under the
seEun calm OF his manner. He was en-
seeaed to consideration. There could
- no doubt of that, either. All of
- flashed through her brain in the
1se seconds which interviewed between
- proposal and her reply. Still he
Neood between her and the house and
sen1s was irritating, so she said clearly
- tcily:
I am not going to seek protection,
Maude have no thought of fee
- to Mrs. Glynn."
He bit his lip, but moved instantly
- one side. Then she half-turned,
o1oed him and went on:
This Is my first proposal. I am
Rsnty-t two years old, but you are the
10y man who has asked me to marry
- I appreciate the honor you do
-. believe me. appreciate the fact
eaf, not knowing or asking who or
AOAat I am, you have offered to make
80 your wife, to place your name in
S0U keeping. I am flattered by this
6 an fattered further by the fact that
49, offer comes from one who has seen
- world and many women. Still,
- not answer you Yes While you
- me much, you are asking much
N 8 all of my future life you require
NJ - woman who marries must be pre-
srsd to lose her old self and find a
yew self that will be happier and bet
- This is sometimes done, but not
sBWays. respect you'll may even say
- I like you-but liking is not love
n -
esas q face had grown grayer as she
II 0eeeded. His eyes were fixed in
~ upon her face as if he would
- every thought thereon. Once or
16ee he had started to speak and
scked himself. Now, as he saw the
0rds shaping themselves which would
o0y him that which he craved, the
1ak-up passion in him broke loose
= seized her hand roughly, fiercely,
~ try as she might she could not dis
leage it. He spoke rapidly and
E1axsely:
Wait! Do not say that which you
~ repent and which will make my
D black. When first saw you some
dnE new and strong came from you
- me and entered into me and gripped
ny soul. You are all earth and the
oceafter to me! Sun, moon, stars, the
- and winds, hope, desire, ambition,
zsngth Of body and will, life itself are
you. In all past years 7 have
0amed Of woman. On Asian
ppes, on African sands, in tropic for
on the bosoms of broad rivers,
wind beaten seas, in the clamor
clangor of huge cities, on peaceful
tish country-sides, in rnoon-hours
night-hours she has come to me
I know now that the woman il
For this I have waited. Other
- have fought for riches, or celeb
q. or for the joy Of fighting. 1 have
wen only that might win to the
- where you were standing and
hing. Thave come; you have come.
- invisible hand has directed our
know not whether this hand
aisn or hateful, but 1T has done
Ork. Why else should i be here
you here! Lois, I love you. You
mofs beautiful than any vision
Ever visited the aching eyeballs Of
linz litnner !ot starved body and
bin brsdn. % not answer me
shays ibissn hurried; 1should
i spuld not Vait
I'm q ID suIrv tndsd IL nen
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