The Charles Mix new era. (Wagner, Charles Mix County, S.D.) 1???-1911, 1910-03-04

come Alon8 L. you're sure you 0Ont
mind. Perhaps IT'S just as well:
there isl have just posted a
note 10 say good by"
"Good-by." | gasped. Where In
the world are you going"
We sail for London tomorrow.
Mr.. Ankony has been called there by
important business. We are TO be
married at noon, It's very sudden.
ism, 1t. ! feel as II had been
caught up by a huge whirlwind
that wouldn't let me down"
Tomorrow. You sail tomorrow"
| repeated.
She nodded. 1T was only a matter
OF a few weeks at most" she said.
But morrow" ] echoed ~inanely.
She did not reply. Gathering her
skirts out OF the way of the fountain
spray tina, drifted across the asphalt.
she kept her eyes resolutely ahead.
The roar OF Broadway was In our ears.
Through Fifteenth street the late sun
shine poured. and a mist came up
from the bay. River whistles blew.
and here and there an electric light
sprang out. Walking hurrledly and In
silence We crossed Broadway and
came into the kindling shadows of the
side-street. turning presently into
Fifth avenue
And your notee"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 tie marriage, as we had expected,
Even Dan may not get to town In
time. | wired him at les Of course.
but I'm afraid he can't make II. And
! Bishop Winstanley Is away Ii is all
SO unsatisfactory. had never
thought to have anyone marry me but
him. you know. I'm afraid IL will
seem a sort Of makeshift ceremony"
with a little sigh.
Suppose something should come up
to prevent your sailing" | asked. with
al uncomfortable impulse.
She turned to me quickly. an d
look in her eyes. but In the same In
slant 1t faded and she lifted the HE
of an impersonal smile.
That is quite improbable. ! never
tuiih vi Sutu tulbSs. sohiS PNopiN W.
| know. But in this case We are al
most quite ready. Mr.. Ankony is rush
ing his preparations through. and |
had even this half-hours breathing
space. SO | walked through the old
Square for the last time. Does that
sound chastity" she asked, with a
smile. But | dare say 1t will never
| scam uu;fe the same again
Her lone was light, but IT held the
pang of sadness. Was ii only the sad
ness that a oma must naturally feel
at such a time. | asked myself. or
did 1t hold all the ache n bitterness
that Henrietta Winstanley still stout
ly %contended that 1t did, | 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 hat on the eve OF her wedding"
she said Don't you know that She
is always cross and pale and nervous.
1t isn't fair
Forgive me-; but tomorrow-to-
morrow | can't look at you-nor for
weeks and months perhaps. Oh. |
know I'm hurting you! I'm a beast to
do it. But a man can't mask a thing
forever. And 1t hurts. God, how it
hurts to think of -FOUR going"
Does that make II any harder-the
going?' she asked.
1t is the s~uddenness OF It." | said
duly. and We walked a little way Ia
silence. 1t was she who broke it.
Il am SO sorry! SO sorry" she
said. in the lowest. softest voice. ard
the regret and the tenderness In 1t
touched me profoundly. If | could
say something. do something. to help
to make II easier for you, But |
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 its shadows | turned
to her.
Can you do me the injustice TO be-
lieve that | have anything but friend
illness for you. dear?" | asked. Il 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 il.
NO. no, you are not that" she pro
tested warmly: you are all that is
considerate and kind and good.
and l."
If ! were yielding you to any one
else" b~lundered.
Don't" she cried: you have your
own little shrine in the temple OF my
heart. and ] don't want you To de.
throne yourself at the last. This is
is the last. you know. Good. by. |
can't ask you in. and we shall not
meet again before | go"
Yet | think" said /. that | will
not say good by"
She looked at me qu%estioningly.
ID you hin leaving out a good