The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1903-08-11

as they walked. q proceeding that
would have shocked her an hour be-
fore. She could not help wondering
what her friends would say IL they
should see her.
Here / had an idea that you would
not be at all sociable with a fellow"
he said. land l think that you are just
fine. l am sorry that l did not come
around and get acquainted sooner"
She looked up gratefully. They were
waiting for the exhibition OF fireworks,
and he had found her seat where they
puld have a good view and not be
jostled by the crowd.
81 certainly shall remember this
day" she said.
II know that / SHALL" and there was
q strange look on his dark. handsome
face.
81 will think OF II when get lonely"
she said slowly. as II half to herself.
do you ever get lonely?" he asked.
Sometimes. l think that there is
no place where a person can get as
lonely as in a large city. or course I
have my work. but there are times
when feel II very much" Her voice
trsmbled I'm spite Of herself. 'Therer'
she exclaimed suddenly. You are the
| first person TO whom / have ever ac-
knowledged that ever got lonely" she
laughed.
He leaned over and brushed q fallen
leaf from her hat.
"You see. this has been my one day
on. and IT has spoiled me. I do not
often give up n day to pleasure"
| They were silent for few minutes.
Cheer after cheer went up from the
crowd as the brilliant fireworks shot
high I'm the air. but they did not seem
to see them.
| do you know that"-he suddenly
paused-"I will get lonely too when
am on my ranch and think Of you here,
and l Just can't go home without you.
There 1t is outr' he said impulsively.
"Anna, won't you 20 with me? 1 have
never cared for any one before. but
think / have been loving you for years
/ have known IL for a long time.
heard so much about you and l learned
to love your picture. but when l got
here l could not summon up courage
enough to call. l know that l am alb
rupt and not used to society; but. Anna
will you marry me and go home with
me? II do love you"
1t was nearly dark, and those around
lwere taking care Of their own affairs
He leaned close to her. Il know that
1t is a great deal to ask you to give uI
everything here and 20 on "A ranch, but
I will try to take good care of you and
do all that can to make you happy
he said pleadingly.
She did not answer. He waited q
flew minutes.
Forgive me. Miss Reynolds" ht
said, new dignity in his tone. 81
must be wild to think for a moment
that you would ever dream of marry
ling me-" His voice trembled. 81 cam
help loving you. but you must forget 1t
thank you for the pleasure that yol
have given me today. 1t will be the
one bright spot in my life. I shall
often think OF IT,"
Still she was silent. She was living
the years to come-the days with he
books and papers. the lonely hours sh,
must spend and the longing that sh'
would feel to have some one to care fol
her in spite Of all her talk OF womanl,
independence. And then she seemed
to feel that protecting arm that hat
been slipped so unceremoniousl,
around her I'm the crowd and the stronl
hand that had guided her. She aske,
herself II II had been only for da.
that she had been so taken care Of
and she knew that she would miss
on the morrow unless She looke'
up at the man who had come SO sud
denly into her life and In whom sh
felt perfect trust. who would max
her life SO different II she would onl.
allow him TO do so. and then-sh
slipped her hand in his.
I'll go with you. Phil" she whis
pered. II don't believe that I can &c
along without you. I'll miss you So"