The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1909-08-19

fore he asked in a gentler tone than us
ual, do you mind 1t all so very much?"
Her silk had knotted, and she pulled at
it impatiently.
What does It matter what I mind. II
1 am determined to go through with it?"
she retorted.
Then, as he remained silent, she looked
up with repentance for her rudeness.
Please don't mind me. | did not mean
to be so disagreeable. It's only that get
bit nervous"
He made a movement as il to lay bis
hand on hers, but she drew it back too
quickly.
"Oh, | understand" he answered.
But, IL you don't mind, should like to
talk about our immediate plans. l think
it would be better to let no hint Of our
IN tentions get about on board, don't
you"
Most certainly" she agreed with alac-
rity.
We'll, then, may ask what were your
plans on first landing?"
How strange it seemed that those care
fully thought-out plans of hers should al
ready loom so vague and unreal. She
realized that, already, she was cut adrift
from her old life.
Il had written to some lodgings that
know OF at Chelsea. | had meant 10 stay
there for week to do some shopping.
which Is cheaper done In London, and
then go over to Paris. where my friend
expects me-"
rs she an ardent friend? Will she
want to know all about everything?"
Mathilde smiled with a vision of the
| sharp face, and the somewhat grim phi
losophy of its owner.
"She is hardly to be called friend at
all We were to have Joined forces from
motives of economy, that is ALL"
so much the better. Well, suppose
you go to your Chelsea lodgings as you
planned. 1 won't communicate with my
people, and they don't know when am
due in England. We can be married by
special license and spend a few days at
a hotel, writing home then, when to er
pect US. Do you think that would do?''
Mathilde sat listening to these de all
ed plans with much the same sensations
as the general Of threatened army, Who
sees himself gradually and inevitably
surrounded and outnumbered. Were.
what had seemed but a momen: before.
such vague and visionary prof. cts, really
so practical and imminent? Sac an but
started up with an impulse to cry out,
Oh, / cannot! It is impossible :" But a
second thought came quickly to check
her. What was there on the other hand
for her to turn to? Wounded pride and
the instinct of getting to shelter to hide
her sorrows had supplied a strong enough
| face TO bring her away from home, bu1
| day by day of that winter voyage had
| been sapping her courage for the solitary
struggle ahead, so that now, IL only from
having dropped the plan for a few hours.
she felt the impossibility Of returning to
| it. Sire had no strength to struggle now /,
let the current of fate carry her wherever
| it would.
Stewart was watching her unveiled agi-
tation with a not unkindly smile.
Does it seem very formidable at near
sight? Never mind, there Is really moth
| ing to be afraid of. l promise you, |
won't bother you in any way. You shall
be IS free as you have ever BEEN
And for all her shrinking, she could
not but feel the genuineness in his words
In the next two days there were many
such talks and discussions between them.
Almost to her own surprise, Mathilde
found herself growing in some measure
accustomed to the project, although, in o
fashion keeping up the defensive attitude
which she had almost involuntarily as
| sumed in Mr.. Stewards society.