Arizona republican., 1910-07-08


 a9 tnere was also bullet wound given at short range ana she set her lips to keep down a surge of faint ness and horror. At last she said:
 Now lift him gently! You three men r,ust ca-rv nm to the tarm which IS only just over there bv tbe village. We can come back afterward for the poor rellows who lie here Three of our men among them, you say! Poor, brave fellows and the tears welled up to her eyes. She asked: Are vou readv7 Co m then, r, and will lead the horses honew
 me little procession moved slowly forward leaving dusty turnpike VI 0 'i'-'
 warm, hay October sun had risen over the land ana was shining benignly down upon all the countrv siue In the village the smoke could be seen curling rom every chimney There the hum of work uoon me old farm for David Passmore had come into his kinsdon once more The cattle had been driven up rom tneir long shelter in the woods. and the drowsy unfe or their bells had. superseded fife drum and fighting over. ~
 But Jim Aver had been left behind victim of sword and bullet - ' O'U
 Ever since the day a month gone that Tan,;. had appeared before the startled eyes of her mother and uncle Reno accompanied by the strange group of men ana horses this wounded had been the daily nightly care o1 the two women and when he had been at his worst the country doctors old white horse had stood for days hitched to the fence. But now Tim Aver was convalescent, and lay watching with eager hollow, ewes the movements of his young nurse
 II oy chance she went beyond the reach of his vision ms pnched face would turn the pillow to follow
 Miss Jamier
 Jamie would come quickly to his call and stand he. side hm with pity, and sometimes with something more than pity. in her eyes of which she was all ms conscious but which he longed and dared to inernret for himself When she would ask: ', Can l do something for thee? Shall shake up
 He would say unblushngly:
 T think have fever to-day knowing full we'll that her soft young hand would quickly seek his nuse ar for an instant brush his forehead like the wing of a dove
 Gradually. his strength returned and the life. blood flowed once more in his veins, he began to feel savage lmpatience with the restraint he had to ex- erc1se He knew only too well how short his grace was, and how the day when he must r1ount and ride away One day, when hc was sitting in the shelter of the porch he said with touch of audacitv ceremony such as stepping over a broom-stick when they s7E marry"
 Us thee asking such question to make jest of us asked she, with sudden flash in her eyes . No. no, thousand times, mol Your customs are not like ours, particularly those pertaining to marriage and am very much interested in the question. Won't you tell me about it?"
 'I will get thee our Discipline and thee ran ,.,d it for myself" -|@o "Oh no. don't go for the book! I'd rather hear it from your lips"
 Jamie looked at him and said doubtfuIIv.
 T have never seen but marriage of Friends Thee side by side-7
 Just are sitting now:" interrupted he with the utmost gravity. Jamie glanced at him question Ingy. He added hastily:
 Co oni What do you say? What is your fornula?'
 one neSttdteO. then began III uncertain "I0 the presence of the Lord and before this assembage l take-I take" She stopped suddenly unaccount- ably embarrassed
 He leaned toward her. laying his hand on hers and. looking into her eyes, supplied his name in low voice: James Aver" @Oh, nor exclaimed Jamie trying to draw away.
 Oh, yes! cried he closing his hand in a strong pres sure hers. Then. throwing all prudence aside he said rapidly, and mpetuousIy:
 J annie, my time IS up, I must join my command and go into battle. and l must go with your my lips Already part of your name is mine but want promise of the whole I-"
 "Oh, can't cant" she cried, trying to turn her face away from the eager eyes that her own He stopped his head and pressed his lips to the hands he held. then darngly carried them to the cheek that was partly turned from him, and said
 "l know, this IS a soldiers rough wooing and li- suited to Your youth but 1 know that you have the courage to be soldiers wife, for have forgotten that you would have stayed with me to hold Long streets men the turnpike. You nursed me back to life and cannot believe that you will send me into battle and deny me what will give courage"
 Jamies face dropped. She could speak and she did not dare even to meet his eyes. He spoke again after moment, with tense voice
 You know. Jamie. that soldier is taught to take by strategy force whatever holds out against him. and if you don't surrender, why shall-'
 But without waiting to explain what his campaign would be, Jim Aver gathered her mpetuousy to him. and as even his wounded arm sufficient hold her against his heart. any resistance futile Indeed after a moment all resistance ceased
 She remained passivey silent for few minutes then she stole upward look him and said plaintivey, in half-whsper:
 But all this will do no good Thee knows that no Friend can ever marry soldier"
 T know one friend who and will" said he ex- ultantly; then he asked:
 Jamie, will you say the words of your marriage to me now, as a promise for the futrre?"
 She hung her head then began in a low voice:
 Tn the presence of the Lord, and before this as- sembly. I take"
 "Jim Aver" he supplied again.
 Jim Aver, she assened softly, "to be my husband, promising with divine assistance to be him lov ing and faithful wife till death shall separate us"
 "Amenp' said he, reverenty, then added: No bullet touch I shall back for your promise and you, Jamie?'
 When thee comes back for me I shall keep the promise" she said simply.