Gilpin observer., 1904-06-16

Lucky dog!" said the Judge; lucky
dog! But he seems a gentleman, and
u he has propah family an propah
resources. 1t may be. yessah. 1t may
be she's lucky. too. Oh. Northern,
yessah, I admit it. But what would
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 granIy. Splendid creatuah
splendid! Have him? O. co'se
she'll have him! What woman
wouldn't? What a cadaver! What
subjeck-"
Good God! my dear sir!" said the
Judge. Realty"
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.
II 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-
I 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. II 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, "it 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 un.
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 I, dearest said Franklin,
finally. you and I together, forever
and ever. Well live at the Halfway
House. Don't shiver, child I've built
fine new house there"
you've built a house?"
"Yes, yes. Well. I'll confess itI
bought the place myself"
Then it was your money!"
And it is your money"
I've a notion. began Mary Ellen.
edging away, biting her lip.
And so have l." said Franklin,
STOPPING and kising her fingers with
scandalous publicity. i've a notion
that you shall not speak of that It
is ours. We've more than a 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 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 anu -yOu 6uu lSA6A i've anu
shall do that which has been sent to
US to do. Mary Ellen-dear Mary e.
len"
Again the girl threw up her head,
but her pride was going fast.
"Then-then you think-you think
1t 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 a little
nearby house burst out into q 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.)
Buying = Good Fortune.