The Columbus journal., 1906-07-04
XXI.-Continuet

A0N
What is it," she says. %fnnocently.
and then something in the ardent
gaze he bends upon her. causes Paul
inc to blush, the blood leaping to neck
and forehead instantly. Dick never
saw her look SO ~distractingly lovely.
They have a good padre in the set
Element here, capable of doing his
duty: become my darling wife. Hea-
ven knows l don't deserve you. Paul
inc. but you love me even as I do you:
] have even gained your consent to
naming an early day. Let us be mar
Iied at the mine.
His daring proposal almost takes
her breath away.
Butt is SO yer sudden-we have
not known each other much
thai a month" she gasps.
Il eel as though [ had known you
for years-that life was nothing be-
fore yOu crossed my Lath. Our com
paratively brief acquaintance is nc
valid objection, ny dear girl"
= With a wOoer's determination he
pushes the question. n the woman
who celebrates is lost.
Il have no trouSseau; | must make
preparations, for You know the ordi-
nary person only gets married once
in a life time. and then it is an ven
of considerable importance" she Of
fers as a last excuse which Dick, see
ing victory e at hand, brushes
aside as a mere b~aga:e!le.
Hang he OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
II pardon. my dear Pauline; but
YOU understand that We are not like
other people: we de sire no show. and
yet our love will last TO the rave. 1t
will assist your cause. your power
here. L have a husband. and the
man you have promised TO wed will
be only too delighted TO assume the
position of husband and guardian to
the dearest girl on Garth
Not SO loud. Oh. Dick, il they
should hear?"
What of it, he demands. stOutly.
No doubt honest Bot would only too
willingly drop into line and follow a
good example. Promise me. Pauline"
What are the terms?" she asks. de-
murely.
Unconditional surrender. Let us
be married tomorrow will be a
gala time at the mine. and In sure
all will rejoice with ne. Do not say
no. l entreat you"
She loves him. and after all. what
essential difference Toes it make
whether she becomes his wife in
twenty hours or as many days? Be-
sides, as Dick has said the knowledge
that she has a legal protector may
tend to calm the rage of the Senior
Lopez. and cause him TO bring to a
close his strategic movements for
gaining a possible control Of the Ell
Dorado mine.
Il consent" she whispers shyly. but
loves ears are keen. n Dick hears:
his face shows the great pleasure he
feels. but the moment is hardly au-
spiciOus for what he would like to do,
so he simply squeezes her hand.
Then tomorrow shall be a gala
day. if We get throus. the night" he
says.
You look for %trouhie?" she asks,
quickly
We'll. it would be useless trying to
disguise the fact from Pauline,
useless and without reason. since you
are SO brave, and nave so deep an in
.erest in the matter. We do expect
trouble. for they are all here. bag and
baggage. from the greatest to the
least. even little Professor John"
She smiles at mention of the name.
and then her face becomes grave
again. for she feels that the danger
towering over them is great.
Dick is asked many questions and
succeeds in giving quite a %succinct
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 to the way |
things look they will heed every hand |
they can raise. |
A m looks a: things in a diff /
ferent light from a man. and hen
Pauline is enabled to offer suggestions
hat strike Dick as something worth
remembering. and be consequently
makes q note of them in his memory.
He has grown rather uneasy while
talking. for the recapitulatiOn of the
dangers attending their presence at
the mine has made him more thar
ever alive TO the emergency.
: You will pardon III. Pauline. if We
leave your agreeable company now.
There is no need of saying We tear
ourselves away. since o already
know the fact"
Go. and Heaven watch over you.
Dick. my darling" she murmurs. turn
ing away to hide the tears that spring
unbidden to her eyes.
Bot understands what is wanted
when his name is called. and tlat
the summons is m TO 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
cream
"Oh. wicked Bob" she cries,
trying to hide her b!ushing face. while
the wretch actually laughs to witness
her discontinue. |
Thus two bold warriors march out
to meet the willy and INSCRIPTIONS foe.
inspired to deeds of valor by the smiles
- eAorn fhnv tnro t. s. fNx0A 90 hA