Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-04-27

"I don't mean that mean you were
wrong when you said had played
with you. In the sight Of God, swear
you were mistaken. You have made
me love you, Necia. Can't you seer"
She made no sign.
'If you can't, owe It to you and to
| myself to set you right. I am not
ashamed to acknowledge my love, and
even when you are married to Poleon
I want you to know that 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!
see 1t in your eyesv' And he started
toward her with open arms, but she
shrank away from him.
mo, no! Don't touch mev she al
most screamed.
"My dear one" he breathed, "you
must listen to me. You have nothing
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
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,
| H., &.io 10 kbo IN, hor
swimming eyes.
you mean-you want to-marry
mel" she murmured ut 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, Gin 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 We'll 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
that"
"Never mind why. It's as good as
done. You wouldn't understand"
"But think do understand now.
Do really mean all that to you?"
Eyes, and morew
"Listen to me-" said the girl quietly.
II want you to talk slowly so may
not misunderstood. If you-marry
me must you forego all those great
things you speak of-your profession,
your family. your future?"
"Nonsensew exclaimed the soldier.
'If they don't bother me, Necia, why
should you worry?"
"Would you really have to give up
your family-y6ur sister? Would those
people you are so proud of and who
are SO proud Of you-would they cut
you OFF,"
"There Is no question Of cutting on
I have no Inheritance coming. l dom
want any. I don't want anything ex
cept you. dear"
won't you tell me?' she persisted
"You see, I am dull at these things"
"Well, what if they doY' he con
ceded. "You more than make it up t.
me. You outweigh thousand fam
ilies."
"And would your marriage to "a
to me destroy your army career?"
> 'Well, it win really be much easie1
> for both Of US If resign from thu
1 SERVICE" he finally admitted. ''In fact
, I've decided to do so at once"
l "No, no! You mustn't do that. To
: night you think am worth the price
but day will come
a He leaned forward and caught he
. hands in his.
, MEADE, can't let you do It."
I'D like to see you help yourself,
, he said banteringly.
l II can and I will. You must no
marry me, Meade. It's not right;
= can't be-" She suddenly realized wha
, this remuneration would mean and be
= gan to shiver.
a 1T will be over before you know It.,
. she heard him saying in a lame al
: tempt at leyity. Father Barnum i
q an expert, and the operation won't &C
, cupy him ten minutes"
q AT that moment they heard tn
VOICES Ol Lue lFduer anu HIS SQuuN
|. outside, approaching the house. TIL
, girls breath caught in her throat. Sh
!. flung herself recklessly upon her Low
, er's breast and threw her arms aroun
his neck in an agony of farewell
| MEADE, Meade, my soldier" sh
, sobbed, kiss me goodby for the las
timeI'
, "No," he said roughly.
3 "Now you must 60" she said, tear
! ing herself away, "and for my SAX
don't see me again.
: 81 will! will! 1 will ask your IA
, Their for you tonight"
mo, no! Don't, please don't! Wal
till-till tomorrow-till say the word
: Promise me! On your love, promise!
3 Her eyes held such painful en-
treaty that he nodded acquiescence a
, the door opened and her father an
. Alluna entered.
.. Ito be Continued.)