Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1909-11-03
CHAPTER xxv1.
CENTURIES TO FORGET

sHrnzJ uouf oI preparation, IL
come to n point where something's got
to be done" He got that far and then;
turned quite purple. Els collar seemed
to be choking him. IF what Mr..
Chase SAYS is true. we've got pre-
cious short time to live. Well. we've
we've concluded to get all we can
out of the time that's left. my lord
So I've come to ask if it will be all
right with you and her ladyship, sir.
We don't want to do anything that
would seem forward and cut of place,
Cir
Its very consideratc of you. Saun.
ders, but what the devil are you talk
ing about?"
"Miss-AIiss Pelham and have de-
cided to get-er-get married before It
is too late"
Deppingham stared hard for mo.
ment and then grinned broadly.
You mean before you die?"
THAT'S it exactly. my lord. Flaw,
law! 1t would be bit late, wouldn't
1t. If we waited till afterwurd. Haw,
haw! Splendid! So have come to
ask If you think it will interfere with
your arrangements tiff we should be
married tonight?"
''I'm sure, Saunders. that it won't
disrommode me in the least" said his
lordship genially. by all means,
Saunders, let it be tonight, for to-
morrow we may die
"Will you kindly speak to her lady
ship, sir?"
"Gladly. And I'll take 1t as an honor
If you will permit me to give away
the bride"
''Thank you. my lord" cried Saun-
ders, his face beaming. His lordship
shook hands with him. whereupon his
cup of happiness overflowed, ,notwith-
standing the fact that his honeymoon
was likely to be of scarcely any du-
ration whatsoever.
The wedding took place that night in
the little chapel. Chase deliberately
took possession of the princess after
the hollow wedding supper had come
to an end. Her mood had changed.
Now she WAS quite at ease with him.
The taunting CLEAN in her eyes pre-
saged evil moments for his peace of
mind.
''Tm inspired" he said TO her. "a
wedding always inspires me-"
ITS Very strange that you've never
married" she retorted. She was strid-
ing freely by his side. confident in her
power to resist sentiment with mock
cry.
viii you be my wifeY' he asked
abruptly. She caught her breath be-
fore laughing tolerantly and then look
ed into his eyes with tantaliZing in
genuousness
BY no MEANS" she responded. ~
am not oppressed by the same views
that actuated Miss Pelham. You see,
Mr.. Chase. ! am quite confident that
we ara not to die in two weeks
~ could almost wish that we could
die in that time" he said.
How very diabolicalH
"!t may seem odd to you. but I'd
rather see you dead than married to
Prince Karl" She was silent He
went ON. Would you consent to be my
wife If you felt in your heart that we
should never leave this island?"
~ think | shall go in, Mr.. Chase"
she said, with a warning shake of her
head.
Don't. p!ease! I'm not asking you
TO marry me II we should leave the
island. You must give me credit for
that" lie argued whinsically.
.sAh I cI, cold 1,or,,
much relieved. "You want me only
with the understanding that death
should be quite close ut hand to relieve
you. And if / were to become your
wife, here and now, and we should be
taken from this dreadful place-what
then?"
you probably would have to &C
through a long and miserable career
as plain Goodwife Chase" he ex.
planned.
IF it will make you any HAPPIER
she said, with smile in which there
lurked a touch of mischievous triumph
II can say that l might consent to
marry you if were not so positive
that 1 will leave the island soon. You
seem to forget that my uncles yacht
is to call here, even though your cruis
ers will not"
."I'll risk even that" he maintained
stoutly.
She stopped suddenly, her hand upol
his arm.
DO you really love me?" she de
manded earnestly.
with all my soul, swear to you,
he replied, staggered by the abrupt
change in her manner
''Then don't make it any harder fol
me-" she said. 'You know that / could
not do what you ask. Please, please
be fair with me. IL can't even jes
about it. 1t is too much to ask of ne.
she went on, with a strange firmness
in her voice. at would require cen
turtles to make me forget that l am ;
princess, just as centuries were takeI
up in creating me what am. am IL,
better than you, dear, but-but-yol
understand?" She said it so pleading
ly, so hopelessly, that he understood
what it was that she could not say t,
him. I'VE seldom, if ever. marry th
men whom God has made for us t.
love"
He lifted her hands to his breast AM
held them there. '.If you will just g
on loving me I'll some day make yo
forget you're princess" She smile'
and shook her head. Her hair gleame'
red and bronze in the kindly light;
soft perfume came up to his nostrils.
The next day three of the nativ
servants became violently i'll. seized b
the most appalling commissions. A
first Il thrill of horror ran through til
cll,tcau. The plague-the plague Il
realty.
But these fears were quickly diss
pated. The sufferers soon began t
ne.:a. Rv ::.ea:!fall il.p.., were fa.rl