The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-12-03
C. q M K II y g. s
b. MaR7H4 Observation-Disclosures

well what?" Cliffe asked as she made
tentative pause.
oh, nothing Anice returned. II al
most said would have made myself live
up to your recollections"
Cllffe laughed, then ran on: Now that
under our granddame's nightmare Of a
Will we have duly arrived at years Of in
discretion let's settle money matters out
OF hand. I'm going to relinquish you in
the presence of witnesses. You may
marry whom you please for all of me.
shall also give you half the money
"Oh. l think you are dear!" Anice ir-
terrupted, dimpling all over her rosy face.
And you'll stay here month, and we'll
be the best comrades going You'll tell
me all about your sweetheart
ION one condition. CIiffe broke in.
''That you get engaged to somebody be-
fore I go away" ..-- = ...
You are a trifie unreasonable" Anice
said with a softly brilliant smile. IT want
to be free-free as air for six whole
months-before even think of bondage"
Comrades the two became. comrades so
close and congenial Miss Gordon looked
after them sometimes with eyes that were
not quite clear. "They were made for
each other and will find it out too late"
she said in her heart. Outwardly she kept
silence. Fate had taken up the cards,
and she had no mind to try crossing the
deal. s..- ..-
Cliffe spoke often of his betrothed, but
always vaguely-she was as high as his
heart, her eyes the color he loved best il,
all the world. When the wedding day was
set Anlce and Aunt Margaret should
know. He had sort Of doubt they
would come to love his sweetheart as she
so we'll deserved. Now and again he gave
them messages out of her letters. Anice
was insanely curious to read one of the
letters through but Cliffe would never
agree to it. -.
The month was almost ended. Next to
the last day of it Cliffe rode with Anice
up Round Top to watch the sun go down.
1t was Indian summer weather, with all
the air full or warm haze and dead ripe
autumn scents. They went slowly, he
leaning toward the girl all up the, long
slope. At the top he dismounted and held
out his arms to her, saying a little husll-
lily: Come! will carry you to the very
| tip Of the rocks
| Anice felt him tremble as she slipped
| into his arms. Her own heart beat furi-
| ously-she was beginning to find out what
| his presence or his absence would mean
| in her life. But she smiled back at hin.
brayely when at last they stood hand in
hand upon the craggy pinnacle. The sun
! sank. globe of crimson. filling the whole
world with rosy radiance. Anice had the
face OF an angel, serene. transparent to in
| ner light. Cliffe laid his hand softly over
hers and said very low, 1T is hard to go
down from all this to utter darkness" AS
he felt her sh1ver family he went en-,
"Anice, must man suffer his whole life
long because of a mistaken"
IT do not know what you mean Anics
said untruthfully, turning away her tell
tale eyes. Cliffe caught both her hands.
II think you do know he said. amy
way you know we love each other. Now,
the question is, What shall we do?"
Easily answered-for you" Anice said.
her lips trembling. "You are going away
to keep your pledged word
But you and my heart? Dare I leave
both behind me?'' Cliffe said very low, his
voice thrilling strangely.
81 could not love thee, dear, so much
loved I not honor more" Anice quoted
almost under breath. We've are COM
rades," she ran OF a little TREMENDOUSLY.
. Comrades stand by each other, keep each
other up to the mark
Comrades indeed and sweethearts and
shall be plighted lovers Clifte cried.
catching her to him in GREATNESS clasp.
4 '"Anice, darling, forgive me- I deceived
: you. I said had courted another girl
and spoke the truth. But it was with
; the understanding that she refuse me. ]
, had your picture, dearcst-even that had
taken me capt've-but I knew you well
, enough to understand how little chance
: there was of making you love me If ap-
peared in the light Of a necessary evil.
kept it up thus long because-well, be-
cause I wanted to find out how well you
loved me. Dear heart sweet one, say
you forgive the conlrade who tricked you
because he feared to lose you ~ .
: II do not see anything to forgive,
Anice said. nesting to him with little
happy smile.