The Rich Hill tribune. (Rich Hill, Mo.) 1903-1911, 1906-08-16
CHAPTER xXI-continned.

80 H| -E-"
gaze he bends upon her. causes Paul
inc to blush. the blood leaping to neck
and forehead instantly. Dick never
saw her look so d~istractinsly lovely.
They have a good PADRE in the set.
tiement here. capable OF doing his
duty: become my darling wife. Hea.
ven knows I don't deserve you, Paul
Inc. but you love me even as I do YOU:
I have even gained your consent to
naming an early day. Let us be mar
ried at the mine.
His daring proposal almost takes
her breath away.
BUTT Is so very sudden-we have
not known each other much more
than a month" she easps.
Il feel as though 1 had known you
for years-that life was nothing be-
fore you crossed my Path. Our ON
,%parauvely brief acquaintance is no
valid objection. my dear girl"
With a wOoer's determination he
pushes the question. and the woman
who celebrates is lost.
Il have no tr0usseau; I must make
preparations. for you know the ordi-
nary person only gets married once
in a life time, and then it is an event
iof considerable Importance. she of.
lfsrs as a last excuse, which Dick. see
ing victory near at hand. brushes
aside as a mere baga;elle.
Hang the prep1rstions-begging
your pardon. my dear Pauline: but
you understand that we are not like
.Other people: we desire no show. and
yet our love viii last to the grave. I,
win assist your cause. your power
here. to have a husband. and the
man you have promised 10 wed win
ibe only too delighted 10 assume the
position of husband and guardian to
the dearest girl on earth"
mot so loud. Oh. Dick. If they
should hear?"
What Of ito he demands. stoutly.
No doubt bSaest Bob would only too
Willingly drop into line and follow a
lgOod example Promise me. Pauline"
What are the terms?" she asks, de-
murely.
Unconditional surrender. Let us
he married tomorrow VIII be a
gala time at the mine, n I'm sure
IAN will rejoice with ne. Do not say
mo. / entreat you"
She loves him. and after all. what
Essential difference does Il make
whether she becomes his wife in
twenty hours or as many days? Be
lsides. as Dick has said the knowledge
that she has a legal protector may
tend to calm the rage of the Senior
Lopez. and him to bring to a
close his strategic movements for
gaining a possible control Of the E.
dorado mine.
Il consent she whispers shyly, but
loves ears are keen. and Dick hears:
his face shows the great pleasure he
feels, but the moment is hardly au-
spicious for what he would Ike % do.
so he simply squeezes her hand.
Then tomorrow shall be a gala
day. if We get through the night. he
says.
"You look for trouble:" The asks.
quickly.
"Well. It would be useless trying 10
disguise the fact from you. Pauline.
useless and without reason. since you
are so brave. and have so deep an IN
terest In the matter. We do expect
trouble. for they are ali here. bag and
baggage. from the greatest 20 the
least. even little Professor John"
She smiles at mentor OF the name,
and then her face becomes grave
again, for she feels that the danger
towering over them % great.
Dick Is asked many questions and
succeeds In giving quite a succiuct
account OF how matters stand They
are glad to have the assistance OF the
brave men who came with them on
the trip, for. according 10 the way
things look thoy will uoed every hand
they can raise.
A woman looks az things In n dif.
ferent light from a man. and then
Pauline IS enabled to offer suggestions
that strike Dick as something worth
remembering. and be consequently
makes a note OF them iu his memory.
He has grown rather uneasy while
talking. for the recapitulation OF the
dangers attending their presence az
the mine has made him more than
ever alive to the emergency.
"You will pardon US. Pauline. II we
leave your agreeable company now.
There is no need Of saying we tear
ourselves away, since you already
know the fact"
Go. aud Heaven watch over you.
Dick. my darling" she murmurs. turn
ing away to hide the tears that spring
u%nbidden to her eyes.
Bob understands what Is wanted
when his name is called. and that
the Is one 10 danger. He does
not possess the same delicacy or bash.
fulness that prevents Dick from salut-
ing his lady love with a farewell kiss.
but catching the inimitable Dora In
his arms, he gives her a sudden re.
sounding smack that rather aston
ishes the girl and brings out a small
scream.
"Oh. You wicked Bobi" she cries.
trying fo aide her hlughinu face whfIa