Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1903-07-04

as they walked, a proceeding that
would have shocked her an hour be-
fore. She could not help wondering
what her friends would say if they
should see her.
"Here / had an idea that you would
not be at all sociable with a fellow"
he said, land 1 think that you are just
fine. l am sorry that 1 did not come
around and get acquainted sosner."
She looked up gratefully. They were
waiting for the exhibition of fireworks,
and he had found her a seat where they
could have a good view and not be
jostled by the crowd.
II certainly shall remember this
day." she said.
81 know that I shall" and there was
a strange look on his dark, handsome
face.
81 will think Of it when get lonely"
she said slowly, as if half to herself.
''Do you ever get lonely?' he asked.
Sometimes. I think that there is
no place where a person can get as
lonely as in a large city. OF course
have my work, but there are times
when 1 feel it very much" Her voice
trsmbled in spite of herself. 'There"
she exclaimed suddenly. "You are the
first person to whom I have ever &C
knowledged that ever got lonely" she
laughed.
He leaned over and brushed a fallen
leaf from her hat.
"You see, this has been my one day
off, and it has spoiled me. l do not
often give up day to pleasure"
They were silent for few minutes.
Cheer after cheer went up from the
crowd as the brilliant fireworks shot
high in 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 just can't go home without you.
There it is outv' he said impulsively.
Gamma, won't you go with me? l have
never cared for any one before, but
think have been loving you for years.
I have known it for a long time. l
heard so much about you and [ learned
to love your picture, but when got
here 4 could not summon up courage
enough to call. I 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
were taking care Of their own affairs.
He leaned close to her. 81 know that
- 40 ooI- 70 erixo
everything here and go on a ranch, but
I will try to take good care of you and
do all that 1 can to make you happy"
he said pleadingly.
She did not answer. He waited
few minutes.
Forgive me, Miss Reynolds" be
said, new dignity in his tone 81
must be wild to think for a moment
that you would ever dream of marry
ing me-" His voice trembled. II can't
help loving you, but you must forget it.
1 thank you for the pleasure that you
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 COuG-IIl0 udyS Will ucE
books and papers, the lonely hours she
must spend and the longing that she
would feel to have some one to care for
her in spite of all her talk of wOmanly
independence. And then she seemed
to feel that protecting arm that had
been slipped SO unceremoniously
around her in the crowd and the strong
hand that had guided her. She asked
herself if it had been only for day
that she had been SO taken care OF,
and she knew that she would miss it
on the morrow unless She looked
up at the man who had come SO sud
denly into her life and in whom she
felt perfect trust. who would make
her life so different if she would only
allow him to do so, and then-she
slipped her hand in his.
cpl go with you, Phil" she whis-
pered. II don't believe that ] can get
along without you. I'll miss you So"