The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1904-05-20

dog! But ne seems SehtiVihoh' "nN
If he has propah family an propah
resources, it may be, yessah, 1t may
be she's lucky, too. oh, Northern,
yessah, admit it. But what would
YOU expeck, sah 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 gran'ly. Splendid creatuah
splendid! Have him? o. co'se
she'll have him! What woman
wouldn't? What cadaver! What
| subjeck--"
Good God! my dear sir!' said the
| Judge. Really"
Franklin and Mary Ellen sat looking
out before them, silent. AT last ne
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. | knew it was to be-
| came straight to you" He frightened
! his grip upon her hands. Mary Ellen
| Strengthened and looked him in the
| face.
"I'll admit it, she said Il 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, 1T 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 a 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.
They fell again into silence, but
already, lover-like, began to read each
others thoughts and to find less need
Of speech.
You and l, dearest" said Franklin,
finally, you and l together, forever
and ever. Well live at the Halfway
House. Don't SILVER, child; I've built
a fine new house there
you've built house,"
Eyes, yes. Well. I'll confess it
bought the place myself.
Then it was your money!"
"And it is your money"
1--WE a notion began Mary Ellen,
edging away, biting her lip.
And so have l." said Franklin,
STOPPING and kissing 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-he's mar
ried the little waiter girl and has
come back to Ellsville; 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 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 hooking bird at a little
nearby house burst out into a shrill
naean. fellow to that of the wild bird
of the oaks. Mary Ellen felt her
senses melting into mysterious, 5e-
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 wills
pered, Come"
(The End)