Daily Arizona silver belt., 1909-04-24

dmlly the fact that she was to marry another. but gradually this thought in turn took possession of him. She would be some one else's wife in twu. days. The thought drove the lover frantic. and he felt that madness la! that way if he dwelt on such fnncies for long.
 As he grew calmer his reason began to dissect the scene that had taken place in the store. and he wondered whether she had been lying 10 him. after all. No doubt she had been en- gagged to thc Frenchman and had d. ways planned to wed poleon. for that Tas not out of reason. She might ven have set ont r1ischievously to amuse herself with him, but at the recollection of those rapturous hours they had spent together he declared aloud that she had loved him, and him only. Every instinct in hin shouted that she loved him in spite of her cruel protestations.
 A man came with his supper. but he -tdilCt tO HAL tQ tCe.C4lG. ItiC those who believe that in passing from daylight to darkness Il subtle transi- tion occurs akin to the change from positiva to negative in an elec tiical current and that this intangible, ua- traceable atmospheric influence exerts . definite psychlcal effect upon men and their modes of thought. Be this as 1t may, it is certain that as the night grew darker the lieutenant's mood changed. He lost his fierce an- ger at the girl and reasoned that he owed it 10 her to set himself right in her eyes; that ia all justice to her he ought to prove his own sincerity. An up river steamboat was just land. Ing as he neared the tracing post--a freighter, as he noted by her lights. In the glare at the river bank he saw Poleon and the trader, who had evi dently returned from Lees creek, and without accosting them he hurried on to the store. Peering in from the dark ness, be saw Alluna. No doubt Necia was alone in the house behind. So he stumbled around to the back to find the window of her room aglow behind it's curtain, and, receiving no answer to his knock, he entered, fer it was customary at Gales to waive cere- mony. Inside the big room he paused, then stepped swiftly acrcss and rap ped at her door, falling back a pace as she came cut.
 Instead of speaking at once, as he had planned, to prevent her escaping. be was struck speeches., for the vision that met his eyes was that which he had seen ore blithe spring morning three months before. but to- night there was no shawl to ccnccal her sweetly rounded neck and shoul- ders, whose whiteness was s,ar ling against the black of the ballroom gown. The slim gold chain hung around her neck. ard her hair was piled high, as before. Ee rcted every smallest detail as she stood there wait ing fer him to speak, forgetful of ev- erything else.
 She had put on the gown again to, see if perchance there might be some mark of her blocd CT breed that had escaped her previous scrutiny, and. as there was no one to observe her, she had attired herself slowly. absorbed In her whimsy. Her wictful beauty dazed the young man and robbed hin of the words he had rehearsed, but as she made to flee from him, with q pitiful gesture, toward her room the fear of losing her aroused him and spurred his wit.
 Don't go away! I have something I must tell you. I've thought 1t over, and you've got to listen, Necia."
 T am listening." she answered very quietly.
 "Urderstand me, I'm not whining, and I'm willing to take my medicine. couldn't talk or think very straight this afternoon, but ycu were wrong
 "Yes, know now I was wrong. It was most unladylike, wasn't 1t? But. you see. am only little savage"
 "I don't mean that. I mean you were wrong when you said had played with you. In the sight of God, l swear you were mistaken. You have made me love you, Necia. Can't you seer She made no sign.
 If you can't. owe 1t to you and to myself to set you right. l am not ashamed to acknowledge my love, and even when you are married to Poleon want you to know that I shall love you always"
 Even yet she made no sign. Was he not merely repeating the same empty words with which he had so often be- guiled her? There was no word of marriage. He still considered her un- worthy, beneath him.
 You do love me, Necia-you do! l see it in your eyesw And he started toward her with open arms, but she shrank away from him.
 "No, no! Don't touch mev' she al- most screamed.
 My dear one." he breathed, "you must listen to me. You have nothing I to fear. for love you-love you-love you! You were made for me! You'll be my wife. Yes; you'll be married on Sunday, but to me, not to Poleon or | .ux, ot har yuapv,