Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1906-05-30

once. Il will watch want to beg
your pardon for selling Munro in your
presence, but it was necessary both
for his sake and to prevent bloodshed.
saw no other chance Of disarming
him. I hope you will excuse!my harsh
ness in sending you away"
you need not apologize. under
STOOD" she answered. 'tWhat have
you done with him?"
kelly has taken him away out of
danger. Have any Of his men called
for hlm?e
Eyes, one, but he rode away again.
Have. you any further news?'
Something is going on in Bozle.
could hear cheering, and l thought
could distinguish the galloping of
horses. Whatever is coming, my duty
is here. and now let me take you to
Nora"
NO, no! can't sleep now. My
brain is whirlingl with this nights
events. 1 feel asj1f l were about to
witness some great storm, ,some catas-
trophe. Sleep islimpossible tonight"
He turned with )low voiced intensity.
What can dofto repair the injury
have done yoaj and yours? When l
left Barnctts home l vas resolved
never to re-enter your life again.
honestly tried to getaway from Louis
and to take myself absolutely out of
your world"
She Interrupted him, with gesture
of protest You mustinot blame your
self-it had to be. Do,you believe in
fatei"
II do not. norin lucky he answered
slowly.
Neither do I, hut Itbclieve in COM
pensations. Since came up here /
have worked out ajtheory of life. I've
been happy here. THAT should comfort
you."
ut would onEy;I cannot rid myself
Of the thought of what you have sacri-
feed to be here. Each day has plung-
ed you deeper into this lnwless barba-
rlsm."
"There is where my theory helps
me. Ones life hasfa general average.
My life had no realI value to me nor
to any one)clse till 1icamc west. Pleas
ures come ito me now when least ex-
pect them. That STA wonderful thing
to me. 1thought lthad lost all power
to wildly enjoy. !Fbut haven't. So
you see am nott;.ccnstn:s you or any
one. lave Orgy reason to be thank
full, If, only no, harm comes to Louis
or my friends ihe.c. shall not COM
plain"
1T isfvcry tswcct of you to try to
tighten tmy sense Of guilt he replied
gently. Butt cannot absolvc myself
SO easily. can understand your thco
~, butt Itcannot understand how you
find n: disappointment. You have ev-
erythhg ITO make you happy"
She went on: II am by heritage u
worker. I know that now. My fathers
people were active and calculating
folk, and my life in the city was I'M
natural. I've been deliciously hungry
and weary Since I've been lnre-lifc
seems, restored to its BALANCE. You
have hone me good-you and isplendid
old Matt and sweet Nora"
He sprang from his chair and faced
her. You mustn't talk to me So he
exclaimed, almost harshly. II shall
forget my promises and say IforbidG.e Ell
words to You. You unseat AN my good
resolutions"
She heard, but ignored histpassionate
words. a sort OF mental and spiritual
rccklessncss hnd seized her. "All my
life IN the east and in the told world,
everything in the past, seems gray, as
If covered by a mist. The realities
seem to be here. fee! grateful to
you, and want ITO ask IA favor of
you"
Anything youIask. e.iccptE renewal
of my promise OF silence"
She hcsitatestbefore the rising storm
Of his love. Il want you TO let me
Louis and mc-hclp rebuildiyour nine"
"What do you mcan?"
Its so simple. You and Matt need
money. l want you to take Louis into
your mine s,s II partner. Hush!' she
warnlngly whispered us the slecper's
head mova! Oh his pillow. "If he lives
he will walrt to work with you. If he
dies must help you forhis sake"
''Hc will not die He will live. But
you-Ann, there Ia something back Of
this" He laid his strong hands upon
her shoulders, LOCKING into her face
with such piercing passion that she
shrank and grew timid. you need
me? Is that it? Am l one of your
compensations:"
She tried to smile. "rhat would not
DO tlattering. according to my theory"
lie refused to be diverted. Il don't
care what your eastern world thinks
of me IL only you. are content with me.
l, accept your theory. l deserve com
pensation-some sweet, return for my
lonely, lovelcss life OH the plain. Will
you come? Is that what you meany
He was master now, stopping at no
polite bar. y will not, let you so till
you speak your mind" His physical
hold Oh her arms softcned, but his
spiritual self closed round her. six
months ago l was rancher In the
foothills,,and you were in a great east
ern city. We were as wide apart as the
poles. Now, here we are! l don't I'M
dcrstand it. This l know-you are
here, andfI can't let you go. l accept
your offertto go into the mine, but not
for Louis sake. do it for my own
sake because I want you to be my
partner-my wife. What do you say,
Hespcr, my'star Of the wcst!"
She put him away almost i'll terror.
Il can't decide now. must be sure
sure, and I'm not sure. l must have
time to consider. must so back into
my old lifc-to my native city,"
You say you are happier hero than
in the east. Why go back ut all? Why
risk the loss of this new found healthl"
u will be honest. 1t is because by
contrast the old life begins to glow.
The change in me may DO due to phys
teal causes. Perhaps could carry my
recovered joy Of life back with me. II
this should be SO, then might never
want to return. and that would be