The Wenatchee daily world. [volume] (Wenatchee, Wash.) 1905-1971, 1909-03-13

WOulQ not nave accomplished. 1Hcy
had opened her eyes to a thing that
she had forgotten-a hideous thing
that had reared its fangs once before
to strike, but that her dreams of hap
piness had driven out of her Eden.
ALI at once she saw the wrong that
had been done her and realized from
this brute's insult that those early
fears had been well grounded. 1t sud-
denly occurred to her that in all the
hours she had spent with her lover.
in all those unspeakably sweet and
intimate hours. there had never been
one word of marriage. He had looked
into her eyes and vowed he could not
live without her, and yet he had never
said the words he should have said
the words that would bind her to him.
His arms and his lips had comforted
her and stilled her fears; but, after all.
he had merely made love. A cold fear
crept over the girl. She recalled the
old corporals words Of few weeks
ago, and her conversation with Stark
came back to her. What If it were
true-that which Runnion implied?
What If he did not intend to ask her.
after all? What if he had only been
amusing himself? She cried out sharp.
~ at this, and when Doret staggered
In beneath great load OF skins he
found her In a strange excitement.
When he had finished his accounting
with the Indian and dismissed him
she turned an agitated face to the
Frenchman.
"Poleon," she said, I'm In trouble.
Oh, I'm in such awful trouble"'
"It's dat Runnion! l seen i'm pass
His brows knit in a black scowl, and
his voice slid off a pitch in tone
swat he say, eh?"
"No, no: it's not that. He paid me
great compliment" She laughed
harshly. "Why, he asked me to marry
him." The man beside her cursed at
this, but she continued: Don't blame
him for liking me. I'm the only wo-
man for 500 miles around-or l was
until this crowd came-so how could
he help himself? No; he merely
showed me what a fool I've BEEN"
81 guess you better tell me all bout
dis ting" said Poleon gravely. "You
know I'm all tam ready for help you.
Necia. Wen you was little Teller an
got bust your finger you run to me
queeck. an l feex it,"
Eyes, l know. dear Poleon," she as
A.,J,
brother to me, and l need you now
more than 1 ever needed you before.
I can't go to father. He wouldn't un-
derstand, or else he would understand
too much and spoil it all, his temper is
so quick. Don't think I'm unwomanly,
Poleon, for I'm not. l may be foolish
and faithful and too trusting, but I'm
not-unmaidenly. You see, I've never
been like other girls, and he was SO
fine, so different, he made me love
him. It's part Of soldiers training,
I suppose. 1t was so sweet to be near
him and to hear him tell Of himself
and all the world he knows. l just let
myself drift. I'm afraid-Pm afraid
listened too well and my ears heard
more than he said. My head is so full
Of books, you know"
"He should have know dat, too,"
said Poleon.
EYES," she fiared up. "He knew l
was only an Indian girl"
The only color in Doret's face lay
now In his cheeks, where the sun had
put it, but he smiled at her-his warm,
engaging smile-and laid his great
brown hand upon her shoulder softly.
1--WE look in bees eye an I'm al
ways t'ink he's good man. 1 dom
never t'ink he'll max fun Of poor little
gal"
But he has. Poleon. That's just
what he has DONE" She came near to
breaking down and finished pathetical-
ly, They're telling the story on the
street, SO Runnion says"
Oats easy ting for feex," he said.
"Runnion she dom spread no more
story lax dat"
II don't care what they say. l want
the truth. l want to know what he
means, what his intentions are. He
swears he loves me, and yet he has
never asked me to marry him. He has
gone too far. He has made a fool Of
me to amuse himself, and-and
couldn't see it until today. He's laugh
ing at me, Poleon; he's laughing at
me now! Oh. l can't bear it,
The Frenchman took up his wide hat
from the counter and placed 1t care
fully upon his head, but she stopped
him as he moved toward the door, for
she read the meaning Of the glare In
his eyes
"Wait till you understand-wait, I
say! He hasn't done anything yet"
Oats de trouble. I'm goin' max
i'm do somet'in'"
mo, no: 1t isn't that It's these
doubts that are killing me. I'm not
sure
II he1r plaintee," he said. "Ders's
no tam for monkey rOun'."
II tell you he may be honest" she
declared .sHp NAV mean fO marry