The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-11-12

cess in the rocks just back Of the tree by
which we sat. I tried on one OCCASION to
reassure her by telling her:it was so shall
low that, with the moonlight streaming.
into 1t, could see clearSto the back wall.
and arose to enter it to convince her
there was no one there, but she chung to
me In terror, saying: Don't go! Don't
leave mel I was foolish to mention it. Il
cannot account for my fear-and yet, do
you know" she continued in a low,
| frightened tone, there is a shaft at the
back of the cave that has, they say, no
bottom, but goes down, down, down
hundreds of feet to the seal" It is useless
as you know only too well, to strive to
reason down a presentiment, and so, in
stead, I sought to make use of her fear
In the accomplishment of my dearest
wish. why need We" l. urged, come
here; why longer continue these clandes-
tine meetings? Let US be brave, darling,
In our loves. Your people have chosen
another husband for you-rny people an
other wife for me; but we are both. quite
able to choose for ourselves. We have
done so, and it is our most sacred duty to
adhere to and consummate that choice.
Let us, beseech you, do so without fur
Their delay. Dearest, meet me here to.
morrow night prepared for a journey. We
will take the late train for Matheron Sta
ton, where I have friends who can De
trusted. We will be married Immediately
upon our arrival. and can communicate
by post with our respective families re.
naming away from them until they are
glad to- welcome US with open arms =
! She raised some few objections to my
plan and expressed some nisgiyings, bu
she loved me and was able to reason
! away the one and kiss away the other
and with our souls upon our lips we part
: ed for the night. The last thing sais
to her-I remember it as II 1t all hap
pened yesterday-was: Think of it dea
J heart, there will be no more such parting
l between us after tonight!' and she ha
replied by silently nesting closer to m
! and twining her arms about my neck An
so we parted on that never to- be- forgot
ten night more than a score OF years age
The twenty-four hours intervening be
tween this parting and our next meetin
q may be passed over in silence, as moth
ing occurred during that time at all es
i sential to the purpose this narrative sub
g serves. The longed-for time came 8
& last and, with depth Of happiness ha
: never known before--a peace passing a
8 understandings set out for Malabar Hi
= The night was perfect and the moor
l. light so bright / could distinctly see tt
i. air-reots of our trysting tree when MOI
{, than a quarter of a mile away. I though
: at the time how this tree, with its crow
4 Of luxuriant foliage and Its writing root
7 might well pass for some gigantic Medl
sa-head with Its streaming serpent hal
;. AS neared the tree Iona stepped frol
behind 1t and awaited my approa CHI. ST
:. was even more impatient than I. I though
:. and my heart beat more wildly than eve
: Sweet saint, have I kept you waitiDgi
2 asked, as came within speaking di
9 lance, of her. She stood motionle.
:, against the tree and apparently did n
q hear me. I waited till I was within te
l. feet Of her and repeated the question, bu
9 altho she Axed her ,lnfa thonable eyes fl
n upon mine, she made no reply, and ga
a no evidence OF. having heard me. I -stoe
e as II petrifed A nameless dread w.
l. settling upon me, paralysing my facnltle
l. She had always before sprung forWal
3 at sight OF ME and thrown herself with
IS bewitching little pirouette into my arm
e now she stood coldly aloof, silel
N and emotionless. on this our we
# ding night! waited for some wo
% of explanation. -but-none came.