Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1903-07-02
CHAPTER vi.
A Midnight Marriage.

PRESSURE IN A@L manu- ki- AA0- - -
signed Miss Breton to her faithful
maids care in her own home, 10 which
she had BEN go tenderly carried.
ssilI dressed in the white cashmere
robe In which she had been attired for
her part, she was more like some ex-
cuisite marble figure than living.
breathing woman
"You saw him, Marie?" she ques-
toned, eagerly, as the surgeons re-
treating footsteps died away.
~Yes, madam. He was wild with
terror" answered the French woman.
al promised TO draw up the shade II
he might enter for few moments"
More powder. then. Marie-Guick-
lyi Now, let not one flake show IT,
self. Therel When he comes. tell
HIM disobey my physicians orders
IN seeing any one, and bid him stay
but moment only. What Is the
timer,
"Just IL o'clock. madam"
"Quick, thenl But one hour Is left
me In which to act"
@My wifel Ny darling"
These were the irkpassioned words
OF Travis Meredith. who bent a few
minutes later over the quiet, graceful
form which lay so still upon the couch.
"My own, lave lived ages since the
curtain fell and hid you from my
sight. should have gone mad had
YOU not blessed me with this momen-
tary glimpse OF Edeni Barbara. tell
me one word--only one word--will you
not promise 10 become my wife? You
shall not be fastened; you shall learn
10 know me, love me. Only give me
the right to love and protect you And
make this Illness an excuse, should
you need one, for leaving the stage
forever"
did you not say you were going
awny?" che murmured. half reproach-
fully. Perhaps---oh, Travis, must y
confess it?--this fact may in some
measure explain my sudden Illness"
ITO know It so, my queen. would be
10 have fulfilled the JOY OF living. Bnt
YOU do but mock me. My darling,
snare me that. Think You anything
on earth could drag me from your side.
when In your smile rests my heaven,
but this" drawing from his pocket the
telegram. (which bids me hasten back
20 Europe IL would see my father
once more alive?"
A. tsnge OF color flushed the lovely
cheeks. shade OF triumph flashed in
the glorious eyes. This, was victory
unhoped for. victory within her very
grasp. In few short weeks Travis
Meredith's fortune would be his very
own. to lay at the feet or the woman
who.r he adored; but tears which did
not shame his manhood blinded the
watching eyes. and OF this they noted
nothing.
Memories OF his happy, careless boy
hood. his fathers untaltering gencr-
GUS devotion, came thronging thick
and fast and with them the agonizing
thought that. hasten as he nights he
might yet be too late.
But a gentle hand touched the
bowed head, a low voice whispered his
name. and the exquisite JOY OF the
present again thrilled him.
.And you will try, then, my own, TO
love meg You will think Of me when
I am ABSENT" he asked.
~Shali not rather try to forget You?
VIII not this absence bring forgetful-
ness to your All, Travis, 1t Is my
heart which is to suffer! Something
tells me So
"Not unless they pierce through
mine to reach it," he answered fond
lily. "God grant may find my father
alsye. may seek his blessing on my
3 choice. then return to make you my
4 honored. cherished wifei"
"Oh, Travis: Travis! Take me with
youI"
His face vas TRANSPORTED with Its
perfect Joy.
sYou would go. Barbara? You love
me, then, so well? oh. my precious
.pnel what have done to deserve such
'blissY But how could you 60? You
are III. suffering, and the steamer
q sails at dawn"
.Then you must leave me-" She
sank back, trembling, on her lace-cov-
sred pillow Travis. 1t viii kill me.
shall never. never. be your wife UNI
Il ess--unless--o what was about to
ayr"
# "That you would wed ME ere I
allied? Was that the precious balm OF
omfort that you would pour into my
bruised hearth Barbara, darling, shall
leave my wife behind me-my wife,
watch and pray for my return"
A' Hush. Trayis--hush! must have
cen mad, dreaming! My illness has
made me weak. unit for this sudden
hook. You must forgive ms and for
st 1t.
sForgivef forgetf Forgive mat
hich has been es the bow of promise
the cloudsf Forget the food placed
my starving lips? viii you. then.
sise hope only to crush 1T Make
@MI&. - If<f~xc x.~k, NTH b,,< <xfvo ~, q.