The Grit-advocate., 1904-06-17

| Lucky dog" said the Judge; .lp-lv
dog, But he seems a gentleman and
if he has propah family an pronah
resources. it may be, yessah. it ma,
be she's lucky. too. Oh, Northehn
yessah. admit it. But what youla
you expeck, sab, in these times? I'm
told theh are some vehy fine people
in the Moth"
Deep through" said the doctor.
communing with himself Carries
his trunk granly. Splendid crea,uah
splendid. Have him? O. co'se
she'll have him! What woman
wouldn't? What cadaver! What a
subjeck--"
Good God! my dear sir" said the
| judge. Really"
Franklin and Mary Ellen sat looking
out before them, silent. At last he
turned and placed his hand over the
two that lay knit loosely in her lap.
Mary Ellen stirred, her throat moved.
but she could not speak. Franklin
leaned forward and looked into her
face.
Il knew it must be So" he whis
pered. quietly.
"What-what must you think"
broke out Mary Ellen, angry that she
could not resist.
There, there, dearest!" he said
Don't trouble. l knew it was to be.
l came straight to you" He frightened
his grip upon her hands. Mary Ellen
Strengthened and looked him in the
face.
IN admit it," she said. 81 knew
that you were coming. must have
dreamed it,"
There in the car. upon the public
highway, Franklin cast his arm about
her waist and drew her strongly to
him. Dear girl" he said lit was to
be! We must work out our lives to-
gether. Will you be happy-out there
with me?"
Again Mary Ellen turned and looked
at him with new frankness and I'm.
reserve.
That's the oldest of it," said she.
"Out on the prairies called the South
back home Now it's the other way"
already, lover-like, began to read each
others thoughts and to find less need
Of speech.
you and |, dearest" said Franklin,
finally you and | together, forever
and ever. Well live at the Halfway
House. Don't shiver, child; I've built
a fine new house there"
You've built a house?"
"Yes, yes. Well. Ill confess it-I
bought the place myself"
Then it was your money!"
And it is your money"
I've notion began Mary Ellen,
edging away. biting her lip.
And SO have l." said Franklin,
STOPPING and kisirg her fingers with
scandalous publicity. I've notion
that you shall not speak of that. 1t
is ours. We've more than Thousand
acres of land there, and plenty of cat
tie. Curly shall be foreman-hes mar
ried the little waiter girl, and has
come back to Ellisville; they live next
door to Sam and Nora. Aunt Lucy
shall be our cook. We shall have roses,
and green grass, and flowers. And
you and I-you and I-shall live and
shall do that which has been sent to
us to do. Mary Ellen-dear Mary Ell
len"
Again the girl threw up her head,
but her pride was going fast.
"Then-then you think-you think
it is no sin? Is there no lapse in this
for me? You think | shall not be"
Franklin drew her closer to him.
That which is before us now is Life"
he said. Dearest. how sweet-how
very sweet"
A Gagged mocking bird at little
nearby house burst out into shrill
paean, fellow to that of the wild bird
of the oaks. Mary Ellen felt her
senses melting into a mysterious, be-
wildering joy. Unconsciously she
swayed slightly against the shoulder
of her lover. In her heart the music
of the bird thrilled on even when the
tinkle OF the little bell ceased, even
when Franklin, stepping from the car,
held up his hands to her and whis.
pered, Come"
(The End)
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