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

n udlA AOuI idtCl, Will q 5'otSAe"
pressure Of her hand, DR.. Hayes re-
signed Miss Breton TO her faithful
maids care n her own home. to which
she had BEEN so tenderly carried.
Still dressed in the white cashmere
robe In which she had been attired for
her part. she was more like some ex.
quisite marble figure than living.
breathing woman.
"You saw him, Marie?" she ques-
toned. eagerly, as the surgeons re-
treating footsteps died away.
Eyes, madam. He was wild with
terror" answered the French woman.
IL promised to draw up the shade II
he might enter for few moments"
More powder, then, Marie-quicE-
lyi Now, let not one fake show it.
self. There! When he comes, tell
him I disobey my physicians orders
in seeing any one, and bid him stay
but moment only. What is the
timer
"Quick, then! But one hour Is left
me in which to act"
"My wifei My darling"
These were the impassioned words
OF Travis Meredith, who bent few
minutes later over the quiet, graceful
form which lay so still upon the couch.
"My own, have 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 Eden! Barbara, tell
me one word--only one word--will you
not promise to become my wife? You
shall not be nastened: you shall learn
20 know me, love me. Only give me
the right to love and protect yot. And
make this Illness an excuse, should
you need one. for leaving the stage
forever"
ibid you not say you were going
away?" she murmured. half reproachs
fully. Perhaps-oh, Travis, must
confess it?-this fact may In some
measure explain my sudden illness"
$50 know 1t so, my queen, would be
20 have fulfilled the JOY of living. Bnt
you do but mock me. My darling.
spare 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 aiive?"
A tinge of color flushed the lovely
cheeks, a 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 Of the woman
whom he adored; but tears which did
not shame his manhood blinded the
watching eyes. and of this they acted
nothing.
Memories of his happy, careless boy
hood. his fathers unfaltering gencr-
Qua devotion, came thronging thick
and fast. and with them the agonizing
thought that, hasten as he might, lie
might yet be too late.
But gentle hand touched the
bowed head, low voice whispered his
name. and the exquisite Joy OF the
present again thrilled him.
"And you will try, then, my own, 70
love me? You will think OF me when
am absent?" he asked.
shall not rather try TO forget you?
VIII not this absence bring forgetful-
ness to you? All, Travis, 1t is my
heart which is to suffer! Something
tells me So"
.sNot unless they pierce through
mine to reach it," he answered fond
". God grant I may find my father
alive, may seek his blessing on my
choice, then return to make you my
honored, cherished wife!"
ooh, Travis; Travisl Take me with
you'll"
His face was TRANSPORTED with its
perfect Joy.
"You would go, Barbara? You love
me. then, so well? oh. my precious
onel what have done to deserve such
bliss7 But how could you go? You
are I'll, suffering, and the steamer
sails at dawn
Inen you muob tCdNO nv NA<~
sank back, trembling. on her lacecoy-
cred pillow. rsTravis, 1t will kill me.
shall never, never, be your wife un-
less--unless--oh, what was about to
say?"
aThat you would wed me ere I
sailed? Was that the precious balm OF
comfort that you would pour into my
bruised heart? Barbara, darling, shall
leave my wife behind me-my wife,
TO watch and pray for my return?"
Hush. Travis-hush! ] must have
been mad, dreaming! My illness has
made me weak. unfit for this sudden
shock. You must forgive me and for
get It,"
"Forglve7 forgetf Forgive mat
which has been as the bow of promise
in the cloudsf Forget the food placed
70 my starving lips? Will you. then.
raise hope only to crush It? Make
what conditions you will, but give me