The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1908-06-15


from stageland to reality by something
light falling into his lap. Looking
down impahently, he found it to be
a programme In one corner he could
barely make out several pencil char
acters.
"Wnl you marry me?" was what
Pemberton read.
For some time they looked at each
other-Pemberton and the girl-their
elbows touching on the common arm
betwixt their seats. Her expression
went further than mere paleness Of
cheeks and distended eyes 1t told a
story Of tense, drawn nerves; and
determination wrought up to an un-
natural pitch A faint color crept
into Pemberton's face His look was
amazed Slowly, almost hesitatingly,
he drew a watch from his vest pocket
and opened the back It contained
Photograph laughing, vivacious
face. He studied it carefully. I'm
doubtedly it was the face of the girl
next to him.
In his surprise at discovering the
original Of the photograph, he had
forgotten the programme and it's
question. He scribbled just below
where she had written.
please tell me who you are. Why
do you ask such a strange question:
was what he wrote.
He passed the programme and the
pencil to the girl. She took them with
tense feverishness and, bending for
ward SO that he could no longer catch
sight of her face, read hurriedly. He
glimpsed a faint color rising in her
cheeks. With hardly pause for thought
she wrote reply,
Il can't tell you who / am or why
ask you such thing. I am in
difficulty, and this is the only way
out. can't give any explanations now.
Please don't ask me any questions;
just write yes or no."
Pemherton read the few lines twice
and looked at the girl She was star
ing straight ahead He looked at the
watch, which he held on one knee;
at the photograph in the back. From
1t he turned to the girl She was still
staring ahead With a quick, decided
movement, he Strengthened his shoul
ders and wrote one word on the
program, making it heavy and dis
tinct.
yes" was what the girl read.
After staring for several moments
at the program, she turned a quicl
glance at Pemberton. It was fright
ened, appealing; and reminded him o
white kitten that mewed up te hin
one day as he was hurrying along
crowded street.
Resting the program in her lap, tn
girl wrote feyerishly: Please keel
this in mind can't speak to yol
until after the marriage"
She handed the program to PEN
berton, and rose, he following her ez
ample, and they made their way t
the lobby.
The girls manner had total
changed. The forced determinatio
that had animated her was entirel
gone, and by her helpless, appealin
look she left everything to Pembel
ton. He promptly took matters int
his own hands.
I'VE must 80 to the registrar frs
Of course" be said. "and we can be-
er-that is have the ceremony pc
formed there"
The girl nodded her head.
"I'll call a cab"
In few minutes grim. ding
building hove in sight 1t was tn
courthouse Pemberton tossed tn
driver a dollar, and they mounted tl
long flight Of stone steps.
The door seemed hardly to hay
opened and admitted them, when
closed upon their backs; and the
found themselves again in tn
gloomy Mailman and wife.
The girl fumbled in her belt an
drew out a watch. It was Is minut,
to four. q must be at the Office
Haskin & Morris by four" she sal
looking anxiously at Pemberton.
can explain thea" 1t was the fir
' time he had heard her voice-h
z wife's voiee-ane he noted with
o thrill Of pleasure how soft an6 riC
!. it was
? They're in the Century building
he replied I'VE can get there easi
+. in ten minutes"
3 Without further words they left Il
u building. Their course carried the
L through the crowded part Of the cit
5. 1t seemed that their heels were draggi
back by weights, while the minut
h had stolen mercury wings.
Q Pemberton clicked his watch
g triumphantly. Five minutes to spare
S he announced. The girls expressi,
{ became animated and she looked
Il with a bright light in her eyes.
2 Pemberton took her arm; and tn
started across the street. keeping
i wary eye out for vehicles. They h
2 got as far as the car track, when
9 automobile loomed up from behil
L 5 big truck. and bore down upon the
1t was coming at an unusual raj