The Savannah morning news., 1904-08-21

a mingling of Satanic glee or tri-
umph. Eugenia could not tell which.
but the arm around her frightened. In
stinctively she knew her hour had
come-that there was no escape.
1T is quite the customary thing for
man to put his arm around his wife
when they are looking at the scenery"
he said assuredly.
Eugenia gasped. She tried moving
away naturally as though to take an
other look at a telegraph pole flying
past; he moved with her. keeping her
firmly in front of the plates glass door.
And especially on the rear platform
of a railway coach-it is dangerous
otherwise" he added.
Then I shall go in," she said an
grily.
I'm sorry, but I'm really afraid the
door is locked-a little formality the
larly kind to newly married people"
CDR Wickham-" her eyes blazed
dangerously as she confronted him
ARE you fool or a madman?"
Neither my dear" he said soothing
ly, only this thing has got to end here.
and the only way out of it is for you to
promise to marry me. viii you?"
Again Miss Harmed could only gasp.
You see these people are mainly
personally acquainted with our fami-
lies-may the Lord forgive mel" he
said under his breath-"and there is
really no other way out of it. VIII you,
Eugenia? You see our family has
known yours for generations and it is
truly not so bad, and-and 1 love you,
Eugenia. Say yes"
His arm was like iron about her.
The people in the coach sat with eyes
turned discreetly away. She looked
up at his broad shoulders his fine
head, and reluctantly into his serious
blue eyes. She had half expected to
find them hooking. but they held her
reluctant ones with a quiet force that
fascinated her. She could not look
away
"Will you, Eugenia?" he asked.
She could not bring herself to Say
either the one thing or the other. His
eyes were searching hers and she felt
herself yielding irrevocably. She made
a last futile effort to get away, and
stopped motionless.
You will, Eugenia," he said softly.
and bending over he kissed her full
on the lips. He smiled to see the hot
color surge in her face. She laughed
with embarrassment.
Have it your own way" she said.
But, thank heaven, getting engaged
doesn't mean getting married. If
ever get off this train
You'll marry me- he said smiling
down at her.
well, we'll not speak of that now"
she said disengaging herself with a
sigh of relief and glancing surrep-
titiously into the car.
Yes, time enough when our friends
meet us at Boston" he assented laz-
lily. Have you had enough fresh air.
he asked turning toward the door and
opening it.
why, I'll never speak to you
again!" she said looking at the open
door. You said it was locked"
"All's fair, you know" he said, step
ping aside for her to pass and looking
so handsome that she had not the
heart to more than frown.
I'll say goodbye to you for lit
tie while, Mrs. Wickham," he grinned
as he left her in her section.
1t is not known definitely what
Wickham did in the following two
days, but he must have made himself
very engaging, for Eugenia had prom
were on the best of terms when the
long train pulled into Back Bay sta
ton.
She was stunned to descend into a
very bedlam of old friends and rice
rice everywhere. She threw one
VanquiShed gdnce at Wlckham, who
| stood SNUG and complacent, his arm
| around an elderly woman with nose
glasses, who chung to his coat but
| tons with tremulous hands.
but l thought you were going in
to further research, Thomas" with
a discounted glance at Miss
Harmed.
Eyes, so / have, mother. Come,
meet my wife," and he went toward
Eugenia, who stood expostulating to
the hilarious and utterly incredulous
crowd. He bent over her.
Wen run out to Cambridge to-
morrow at ten and have it fixed up
he said.
She looked at him with relief and
resignation in her eyes.
81 guess Wen have to-"