Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1909-06-18

taasi llatAM III jlisi sua hagl nHihlbE
10 fear. fog |. lopG YOU iog6 SUg t0P9
sou! You were madO for NE! You'll
be my wife. Yes; you'll be married
on Sunday, but TO he, not to Poleon or
any other man.
Did she hear Alright? Was he, her
soldier lover, asking her, the Indian
girl?
"You do love me, don't you" he
pleaded. But still she could not speak.
and he tried to read the answer in her
swimming eyes.
"You mean-you want to-marry
meT she murmured at last, hesitating
shyly at the word that had come to
play so mOmentous part in her little
world.
Indeed do" he declared, with en-
phasis, sin spite Of everything, any
thing! Nothing else matters. I'll quit
the army. I'll give up the service and
my people too. I'll put everything
back Of me, and Wen start out anew
just you and l."
"Wait a moment" she said, retreat
ing little from his eager, outstretch-
ed arms. "Why do you need to do all
thatY
"Never mind why. It's as good as
done. You wouldn't understand"
"But l think l do understand now.
Do | really mean all that to yOu?
Eyes, and morew
"Listen to me-" said the girl quietly.
81 want you to talk slowly so | may
not misunderstood. IL you-marry
me must you forego all those great
things you speak Of your profession
your family, your futuref
-Nonsenser exclaimed the soldier.
'If they don't bother ME, Necia, why
should you wOrryF
"Nould you really have to give cp
your family-your sister? Would those
people yon are so proud OF and wh(
are so proud Of you--wouid they cu'
you OFF,
"rherc Is no question Of cutting or.
I have no Inheritance coming don't
want any. I don't want anything ex-
cept you. dear"
won't you tell mel" she persisted.
"Yor sec, am dull at these things"
"Well, what If they dor he con-
cedcd. "You more than make it up to
me- You outweigh a thousand fam
lilies"
"And would your marriage to IA
to me destroy your army career|
"Wel, it will really be much easier
for both of us If l resign from the
service" he finally admitted. "ln fact,
I've decided to do so at once"
mo, no! You mustn't do that To
night you think l am worth the price,
but day will come
He leaned forward and caught her
hands in his.
Meade, l can't let you do it."
I'D like to see you help yourself"
he said banteringly.
81 can and will. You must not
marry me, Meade. It's not right; 1t
can't be-" She suddenly realized what
this remuneration would mean and be-
gan to SILVER.
at will be over before you know It,"
she heard him saying in lame at
tempt at levity Father Barnum is
an expert, and the operation won't oc-
cupy him ten minutes"
At that moment they heard the
voices of the trader and his sQuaW
outside, approaching the house. The
girls breath caught in her throat. She
flung herself recklessly upon her low
cr's breast and threw her arms around
his neck in an agony of farewell.
MEADE. Meade, my soldier" she
sobbed, kiss me goodby for the last
timer
mo" he said roughly.
NOW you must CO." she said, tear
ing herself away. "and for my sake
don't see me again."
81 will! will! will ask your ia
Their for you tonight"
mo. no! Don't, please don't! Wait
till-till tomorrow-til say the word!
Promise me! On your love, promise!
Her eyes held such painful en-
treaty that he nodded acquiescence as
the door opened and her father and
Alluna entered.