The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1903-07-02
CHAPTER vi.
A Midnight Marriage.

pressure of her hand, Dr. Hayes re-
signed Miss Breton to her faithful
maids care in 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 a 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.
81 promised to draw up the shade II
he might enter for few moments"
"More powder, then, Marie-qui1k-
lyi Now, let rot one fake show IT.
self. Therel When he comes, tell
him I disobey my physicians orderB
In seeing any one. and bid him stay
but a moment only. What Is the
timer
"Just IL o'clock, madam"
"Quick, then! But one hour Is left
me In which to act"
my wifel My darling"
These were the impassioned words
Of Travis Meredith, who bent a 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 ny
sight. should have gone mad had
you not blessed me with this momeG-
tary glimpse OF Eden! Barbara. tell
me one word--only one word-will you
not promise to become my wife? You
shall not be fastened; you shall learn
70 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 gong
sway?" she murmured, half reproach-
fully. Perhaps-oh, Travis, must |
confess it?--this fact may In some
measure explain my sudden illness"
ITO know 1t so, my queen, would be
10 have fulfilled the Joy of living. But
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.
hut this" drawing from his pocket the
telegram, which bids me hasten back
70 Europe IL would see my father
once more alive?"
A t,nge 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 shis 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 noted
nothing.
Memories Of his happy, careless boy
hood, his fathers untaltering genor'
GUS devotion, came thronging thick
and fast. and with them the agonizing
thought that, hasten as he might, he
might yet be too late.
But gentle hand touched the
bowed head, low voice whispered his
name. and the exquisite 10Y of the
present again thrilled him.
"And you will try, then, my own, 10
love me? You will think OF me wnen
am absent?" he asked.
"shall not rather try to forget you?
VIII not this absence bring forgetfui'
ness to you? All, Travis, 1t is my
heart which is to suffer! Something
tells me So"
mot unless they pierce through
mine to reach it," he answered fond
". God grant l may find my father
alive, may seek his blessing Oh my
choice, then return to make you my
honored, cherished wife!"
ooh, Travis; Travis! Take me with
you!"
His face was TRANSPORTED with its
perfect Joy.
"You would go, Barbara? You love
me then. so we'll? oh. my precious
onei what have done to deserve such
bliss7 But how could you go? You
are III, suffering. and the steamer
sails at dawn"
"Then you must leave me-" She
sank back, trembling, on her lace-coy-
cred pillow. Travis, 1t will kill me.
I shall never, never, be your wife I'M
iess-unless--oh, what was | about to
say"
"That you would wed me ere
sailed? Was that the precious balm OF
comfort that you would pour into my
bruised hearth Barbara, darling, shall
leave my wife behind me-my wife,
TO watch and pray for my return"
Hush, Travis--hush! l must have
been mad. dreaming! My illness has
made me weak. unfit for this sudden
shock. You must forgive me and tor
get It."
"Forgive7 forgetf Forgive ina,
which has been as the bow OF promise
IA the clouds? Forget the food placed
20 my starving lips? Will you. then
raise hope only to crush tit Make
what conditions you will, but give me
a husbands right to shield you
He was kneeling, as he spoke. be
side her. The perfume from her hail
was waited to him; one lovely arm