The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-06-05
Some Rude Behavior, of Which Only
Western Man Could Be Guilty.
CHAPTER XII.

CHAPTER XII.
Some Rude Behavior, of Which Only a
Western Man Could Be Guilty.
He walked quickly back. At the door
way she gave him her hand, which he
took in silence.
"Why-Mr Bines!-you wouldn't have
surprised me last night. Tonight pic
tured you on your way West"
Her gown was of dull blue dimity. She
still wore her hat, an arch of straw over
her face, with ripe red cherries noddinS
upon 1t as she moved. He closed the door
behind him.
do come in. I've been having soli-
tary rummage among old things. 1t is
my last night here. We're leaving for the
country tomorrow. you know"
She stood by the table. the light from
shaded lamp making her color glow.
Now she noted that he had not spoken.
She turned quickly to him as If to ques-
ton.
He took swift little step toward her.
still without speaking. She stepped back
with a sudden instinct Of fright.
He took two quick steps forward and
grasped one Of her wrists. He spoke In
cool. even tones. but the words came fast:
tive come to marry you tonight; to
take you away with me to that western
country. You may not like the life, You
may grieve to death for all know-but
you're gong. IS won't plead, l won't Deg,
but am going to take you"
She had begun to pull away in alarm
when he seized her wrist. His grasp did
not bruise, it did not seem to be tight;
but the hand that held 1t was immovable.
''Mr. Bines. you forget yourself. Really,
this is" :,
Don't waste time. You can say all
that needs to be said-1'l give you time
for that before we start-but don't waste
the time saying all those useless things.
Don't waste time telling me I'm crazy.
Perhaps am. We can settle that later"
MIR. Bines-how absurd! Oh! let me
CO. You're hurting my wrist! Oh!-don't
-don't-dont! Oh!'
When he felt the slender wrist trying to
writhe from his grasp he had closed upon
1t more tightly, and thrusting his other
quickly behind her. had drawn her closely
to him. Her cries and pleadings were be-
Ing smothered down on his breast. Her
struggles met only the unbending, pitiless
resistance of steel. g.. ...-
Don't waste time. I tell you-can't you
understand? Be sensible-talk if you
must-only talk sense"
Let me go at once-I demand it
qutck-oh!"
Take this hat OFF,
He forced the wrist he had been hold
Ing down between them, so that she could
not free the hand, and, with his own hand
thus freed, he drew out the two long hat
pins and flung the hat with its storm
tossed cherries across the room. Still
holding her tightly, he put the free hand
on her brow and thrust her head back.
SO that she was forced to look up at him.
Let me see you'll want to see your
eyes-they're my eyes now
Her head strained against his hand to
be down again. and all her strength was
eXerted to be away. She found she could
not move in any direction.
rti, L
shall do? I can't scream-think what it
would mean!-you're hurting my neck!"
You are hurting your own neck-stop
itn' ... .. .-..-..,... /. :
He kissed her face, softly, her cheeks,
her eyes, her chin.
I've loved you so-don't-what's the
use? Be sensible. My arms have starved
for you so-do you think they're going to
loosen now? Avice Milbrey-Avice Mil
brey-Avice Milbrey!"
His arms tightened about her as he
said the name over and over.
That's poetry-it's all the poetry there
Is in the world. It's verse I say over
in the night. You can't under
stand 1t yet-its too deep for YOU II
means l must have you-and the next
verse means that you must have me-a
poor mans wife-and all the other verses
millions of then-mean that I'll never
give you up-and there's lot more verses
Tor you to write, when you understand
meaning that you'll never give me up
and there's one in the beginning means
I'm going to marry you to-night-now, dc
you understand?-right off-this very
night!'
ooh! Oh! this is SO terrible! Oh, It's
so awful
Her voice broke, and he felt her body
culver with sobs. Her face was pitifullS
convulsed, and tears welled in her eyes
Let me go-let-me-go!"
He released her head, but still held he,
closely to him. Her sobs had become un.
comfortable.
Here he reached for the little lace.
edged handkerchief that lay beside he,
long gloves and her purse, on the table.
She took it mechanically.
Please-oh, please let me go-I beg
you" She managed it with difficulty be
tween the commissions that were rendins
her.
He put his lips down upon her soft hair
81 wont-do you understand that? sto1
talking nonsense"
He thought there was no end to tn,
sobs.
"Have it out, dear-there's plenty O
time"
Once she seemed to have stopped tn,
tears He turned her face up to his ow,
again, and softly kissed her wet eyes, He
full lips were parted before him, but h,
did not kiss them The sobs came again
"There-there-it will soon be over"
AT last she ceased to cry from shee
exhaustion, and when, with his hands un
der her chin. he forced up her head again
she looked at him a full minute and thel
closed her eyes
He kissed her lids.
Then came from time to time the invol
untary quick indrawings of BREATH til
aftermath of her weeping
He held her so for time, while neithe
spoke. She had become too weak t
struggle.
MY arms have starved for you So h
murmured. She gave no sign.