The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1907-07-25
CHAPTER iv.-(contlnued.)

Il should have been here before
he said, only | was detained. l mel
man who happened to take my over
coat today In mistake for his own
from the ha~irdresser's. He turned
out to be a decent sort OF chap, and
couldn't get rid Of him at once. But
that's by the way. I've come here to
say something which is awfully diff
fcult to say. I've fought it out with
myself and I've wondered IL ! should
be a bounder In saying 1t. I'm afraid
I'm going to say something that a
gentleman oughten't to say. l don't
know. I really don't know. But
something within tells me that IL |
don't say 1t | should be doing some
thing which / should regret all my
life long. But you must forgive me,
and II. after what I've said, you feel
that I orghtn't to have lone so. / do
beg you will forgive me, Marjorie.
Will you forgive me?"
Her voice was very low. Yes" she
said. In almost a whisper.
"You are engaged to another man."
he said. Il don't know him, | have
never seen him. I know he Is a great
swell and very impo. tant. A year ago,
II anybody lad tod me that | was GO
ing to talk TO q girl who was engaged
to another man as I'm talking to you.
should probably have knocked him
down. Shows one never knows,
doesn't II, Marjorie:
She began TO breathe quickly. Her
breast rose and fell, her agitation was
very manifest. The tears were begin
ming to well up In her eyes. She hated
herself for the visible emotion; she
did her best to control 1t. But IL was
utterly impossible, and she knew that
h was telling him, even now, what
b know he most desired to hear.
He got up from his chair, Dig, force
full, manly, and young. and was by her
aide In a mome0t.
Marjorie" he said, dear, sweet
girl. can't help telling you, however
wrong 1t may be. I love you'll love
you deeply and dearly. | am quite Ger
tain. ! know not how, but I'm quite
certain, and nothing in the world
could persuade nj / wasn't, that I'm
the man who was made for you and
that you're the girl who was made for
me. cant put 1t POLITICALLY, don't
know bow to say 1t beautifully as the
1ohnnies say 1t In the novels and on
the stage, but, darling, | love YOU"
There was a catch and a break In
his voices a sob had come into it.
Then he went on. do you know,
Marjorie. I can't help thinking, some
how. that you must have made a mis-
take" He vas kneeling now by the
side Of Ler chair. His arms stole
round her and she made no motion to
forbid 1t. 1t was a moment of abso-
lutte surrender-a surrender which she
had no power to withstand.
And new he held her in his strong
arms. his kisses fell upon her lips, her
head wal on his shoulder, she was
sobbing quietly and happily, With no
word OF avowel spoken. she gave her
self to him at that moment. He had
felt. and his whole body was shaken
with the Joy and triumph, that, come
what might. she was his in spirit, IL,
indeed, she could never be his In any
other way.
1t was a great moment In those two
young lives, young man and maid
knowing themselves and each other
for the first time. 1t wasn't romantic |
exactly; there was nothing very
striking about 1t, perhaps, but 1t was
sweet-Ah! unutterably sweet!
- fs
He was walking about the room.
You must tell him." he said, dear
est You'll have to go through so
much more than I will, and 1t cuts me
to the heart to think of 1t. You'll have
to face all the opposition of everybody
-4of your people, of society, and the
sgerld generally And rant help.
You'll have to 90 through IL alone. It's
Bitter thought that I can't help you.
Dear, dare you fight through this for
ne2 Are you strong enough fare
vou brave ertough?"
She went UP to him and placed both
her hands upon his shoulders, look
Ing straight into his face.
81 have been wicked" she said, II
have been wrong. But perhaps there
we're Untfl one has felt love
real ,ove, Gerald, one doesn't realize
Its claims or the duties one owes 1t.
ambitious. 1 liked William we'll
He interested me and slim
me. I felt proud to think that
I was to be the companion of a man
who knew and had done so much.
Bit now the mere thought OF that com
nils me with fear-not fear
81 him. but fear of the treachery
should have done my nature and my
Belf II I had married him. don't
Ancw what will happen, but here and
now. Gerald. whatever may bo the out
rome. I tell you that I love you. and
swear to you, however wrong it may
be, whatever violence l may be doing
10 my plighted troth. I tell you that,
however great the unworthiness, I will
DO yours and yours alone. ! know 1t
wrong, and yet somehow I feel 1t
- wrorg! I don't understand,
but-but@ He took her in his
Arms onc more and held her.
: It RI late and he wal poing. and
Was bidding her farewell. He knelt
bef0ro her and took her hand, bowing
It and kissing IT,
1ts9eedE night. ~ =sa4d. -my lady. my