The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1907-01-26


with infinite toll they had laid single
line of heavy planks on the projecting
rocks from shore to shore. They were
not yet fastened in any way, their
heavy weight serving to balance them
fairly well on the stones. The dark
ness, not yet lighted by the moon, con
cealed the planks, but clinging des-
perately with one hand Harvell felt
about with the other and by rare good
luck found plank, wet and slippery
with spray, on neighboring rock.
With infinite toll he raised himself out
Of the water inch by inch until at last
he crouched on the great stone and felt
the lettering plank.
Then on hands and knees he started
for the shore. Blinded by sprays, the
planks half turning SO that he could
only pause, struggling with rigid mus
cles for balance, Harvell crawled along
the foot wide planks. And with each
pause came new Encouragement. Mar
garet would surely be gone. In a
panic Of haste he slipped and fought
his way, now half in the boiling water,
half on the Shiny rocks, now again on
the plankway, gaining toward his goal
foot by foot. At last one final spring,
and he felt again the solid earth be-
meath him. Without thought of his
dripping clothing he started on his
half mile run through the woods to the
bungalow.
ho
he thought as he tore his way through
the heavy underbrush. tiff only /
am not too late! am going to tell her
anyhow, just to prove to her that am
a fool. I suppose. Oh, here Is the
stage roadv'
On up the sandy road, his clothes
half dry with his rapid pace, then with
the great edge Of the summer moon
peering over the top Of the pines, he
perceived dim figure standing by the
roadside. The figure shrank back lit
tie at the sight Of the, man storming
up the road. Harvell passed.
'Margaretp' he cried.
Yes" answered quietly the sweet,
clear voice that never failed to thrill
him.
Margaret, why do you go?'
Margaret, too surprised by his sudden
appearance to be startled by his knowl-
edge of her movements, made no reply.
Because" Harvell plunged on, 81
annoy you with attention, because I
hang on your every word and glance,
because am an ordinary chap with no
ancestors, and you are the personiica-
ton of culture and delicacy-is that it,
Margaret?'
5, You have no right to speak that
way, Paul. said Margaret, in her quiet
voice.
mo, but isn't that true?" persisted
Harvell. The moon was we'll above the
treetops now. By its light he could
see the look Of pride with which Mar
garet drew herself up.
so you think me snob? You know
me well indeedv'
"Know you," replied Harvell miser-
ably-'no, know nothing, except
that love you and that can never
hope to marry you"
Inere was long pause. The sum-
mer night was very fair around them.
The girl before him seemed to Harvell
a part Of the wonder Of the night.
''You think, them" said Margaret,
"that am too brainless to admire your
fine mind, your splendid physique?
Being, you say, we'll born, I must be a
snob."
Harvell drew long breath. MAR
garrett" he said, Twill you marry me7
Will you say yes, Margaret?'
Not until have told you," answered
the low voice, .'that l was born and
bred in poverty in the mountains of
Tennessee, that am finely born only
as every American is finely born, and I
am proud Of It.
The sound Of stagecoach wheels came
up the road, but already the two
figures were far up the path that led
to the bungalow.