The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1910-01-06

GOOQ-Dy! l SaSpeQ. Wnete IN
the world are you going?"
I'VE sail for London tomorrow.
Mr.. Ankony has been called there by
important business. We are to be
married at noon. It's very sudden,
isn't it? I feel as if I had been
caught up by a huge whirlwind
that wouldn't let me down."
Tomorrow! Yo2 sail tomorrow"
I repeated.
She nodded. "It was only q matter
of a few weeks at most" she said.
But tomorrow" 1 echoed namely.
She did not reply. Gathering her
skirts out of the way Of the fountain
spray that drifted across the asphalt,
she kept her eyes %resolutely ahead.
The roa of Broadway was in our ears.
Through Fifteenth street the late sun.
shine poured, and a mist ur
from the bay. River whistles blew,
and here and there an electric light
sprang out. Walking hurriedly and in
silence we crossed Broadway and
came into the kindling shadows of the
side-street, turning presently into
Fifth avenue.
"And your note?"I asked.
"Was only to say good-by and ex-
plain our hurried departure. We are
so sorry to not have you all with us
at the marriage, as we had expected.
Even Dan may not get to town in
time. I wired him at once, of course,
hit TN ofro;1 bo oo~s& r,oJ>o ~ Ant
Bishop Winstanley is away! 1t is all
so unsatisfactory! I had never
thought to have anyone marry me but
him, you know. I'm afraid it will
seem a sort of makeshift ceremony"
with a little sigh.
Suppose something should come up
to prevent your sailing?" 1 asked, with
an uncomfortable impulse.
She turned to me quickly, an odd
look in her eyes, but in the same in
slant it faded and she lifted the shield
Of an impersonal smile.
"That is quite improbable. I never
think of such things. Some people do,
I know. But in this case we are al
most quite ready. Mr.. Ankony is rush.
ing his preparations through, and l
had even this half-hour's breathing
space, so 1 walked through the old
Square for the last time. Does that
sound ghastly?" she asked, with a
smile. But I dare say it will never
seem quite the same again."
Her tone was light, but it held the
pang of sadness. Was 1t only the sad.
ness that a woman must naturally feel
at such a time, ! asked myself, OF
did it hold all the ache and bitterness
that Henrietta Winstanley still stout
ly commended that it did? I looked at
her keenly, and, feeling my glance.
she put up a quick, Impatient hand to
her cheek.
1T isn't nice to stare at a bride-elect
like that on the eve of her wedding"
she said Don't you know that? Shs
is always cross and pale and nervous
1t isn't fair"
Forgive me; but to-morrow-to.
morrow I can't look at you--nor for
weeks and months perhaps. Oh, 1
know I'm hurting you! I'm a beast to
do it. But a man can't mask 9 thing
forever. And it hurts. God! how it
hurts to think of your going:"
Does that make it any harder-the
going?" she asked.
1T is the s~uddenness of It," l said
DULY, and we walked a little way in
silence. 1t was she who broke it.
." am so sorry! so sorry!" she
said, in the lowest, softest voice, and
the regret and the tenderness in Il
touched me profoundly. IF I could
say something, do something, to help
TO make it easier for you! But l
can't, and tit hurts me, too. oh,
look at me once in friendliness and
forgiveness!"
A lovely April twilight was Setting
about us, and in it's shadows 1 turned
to her.
"Can you do me the injustice to be-
lieve that I have anything but friend.
Illness for you, dear?" 1 asked. II am
a poor whimpering thing to trouble
you like this now-to let you see."
We had reached the steps of her
house, and as we mounted them she
slipped her hand through my arm
with a little pressure, then quickly
withdrew it.
mo, no, you are not that" she pro
tested warmly; you are all that il
~considerate and kind and good,
and l."
IF I were yielding you to auy one
else" I blundered.
"Don't!!" she cried; you have you,
own little shrine in the temple of nv
heart, and l don't want you to de
throne yourself at the last. This is
is the last, you know. Good.by l
can't ask you in, and we shall MOI
meet again before I CO."
yet I think" said l, "that I will
not say good-by."
She looked at me questioninel,. !.
DO you think leaving out a good.
by makes a separation seem lesa
real?" she smiled.
"This n would set the seal upop
too many things" I replied.
(TO BE CONTINUED.)