New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-08-15

been mere al alone.
"Oh. very well, l suppose, she answered
restraining the natural resentment she felt at
his patent neglect 1T isn't exactly the place
I'd choose 70 remain in alone all the time.
poor little girl' I've been thinking OF that. "
he told her, reaching across the table 10 take
her hands Its worried me- Beth, worried me
greatly. your unprotected position, and all
that.
'Oh. YOU needn't worry" She withdrew her
hands. Someway. IL seemed a sacrIlege for HIM
TO touch them. IL was not % be borne-she
hardly knew why since when Il want %
know about Glen she added. Never mind
me.
But DO mind. he assured her. His hand
was trembling. Beth. II can't talk much
mean romantic talk, and all that,-but-wel
I've about concluded we ought 70 be married at
once for your sake, your protection and M
peace Of mind have thought about II ever
since | left YOU here alone"
The brightness expressive OF the gaiety OF her
nature departed from her eyes She looked
fixedlv at the mans dark face with It's gray.
deep set. penetrative ewes. its gunmetal Jaw and
knitted brows. II frightened her someway, a.
it never had before. He had magnetized her
ALWAYS sometimes more than now but his in
luence crept upon her subtly even here.
But II think I'll rather not-just yet. f"
she taltered CrimsonIu0 and dropping her gaze
70 the table. You promised not to-to urge
me again. az least till I've spoken % Glen. -
But / could not have known-foreseen
these conditions he told her, leaning farther
toward her across the table Whv shouldn Z
We be married now. AZ once \ SIX months en-
gagement Is certainly long enough. Your posi-
ton here swell. almost dubious. You must
see that. IL ISN'T right OF me. decent not %
make YOU r. WIFE immediately ! wish % do
so. | wish II very much'
She rose. as If o. wrench herself free from the
spell he was casting upon her. " / m all right
I'm quite all right. She said e. a rather not
Just now. There's no one here who cares a
penny who or what / am. II my position here
IS misunderstood. u can't DO any harm I'd
rather YOU wouldn say anything further about
it-Just az present
Her agitation did not escape him II he
thought OF the horsemau who had carried her
off and sent himself % the ConvCts. his plan for
vengeance only deepened
You must have some reason for refusing.
He too rose.
"No-no particular reason. She answered
artlessly walking round the table. apparently
To pick up button from the floor but actually
10 avoid his contact. lust don't wish too
be married now here-that's all / ask YOU
to keep your promise not % ask II while we
remain
He had feared 20 lose her a score Of times be
fore lie feared II now more potentlv than
ever. And there was mach m that he must ask
The risk of giving her fright was not 20 be IN
CURED
Very well, D" he said re>ignedIy: but its
very hard % wait"
Won't YOU ST DOWN" She asked HIM an
impulse Of gratitude upon her Now do be
good and sensible and tell me all about Glen 20
She returned 20 the table and resumed her seat
ROSTWICk sat opposite and drew his forged
letter from his pocket. He had placed il IN
GlenVllc'S envcl1p after tearing the Young
mans letter into scraps
This letter, SAID he was sent from away
down in the desert. from Starlight another new
gaL o me. - be- ..r q &
something very important I'll read YOU what
he SayS-or YOU can read il for yourself
No, no. read 70. I'll rather listen
lie read II haltlnglv as one who puzzlcs over