The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1910-03-03

'oNu W 6dopNu' "hOi III
the world are o going?"
I'VE sail for London tomorrow
Mr.. Ankony has been called there by
important business. We are 20 be
married at noon. It's very sudden,
isn't it? | feel as if | 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 tomorrow" | 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 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 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 nay not get to town in
time. | wired him at once, Of course,
but I'm afraid he can't make it. And
Bishop Winstanley is away! 1t is all
so unsatisfactory! | 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?" asked, with
an uncomfortable impulse.
She turned to me quickly, an odd
look in her eyes, but in the same in
slant 1t faded and she lifted the shield
of an im"pers0nal smile.
That is quite improbable. | never
think of such things. Some people do,
| know. But in this case we are al
most quite ready. Mr.. Ankony is rush
ing his preparations through, and |
had even this h%alf-hour's breathing
space, so | walked through the old
Square for the asst time. Does that
sound CHASTITY" she asked, with a
smile. But | dare say it will never
seem quite the same again"
Her tone was light, but it held the
pang of sadness. Was it only the sad
ness that a woman must naturally feel
at such a time, | asked myself, or
did 1t hold all the ache and bitterness
that Henrietta Winstanley still stout
ly contended that it 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 that or 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 to-morrow-to-
morrow | can't ooh at you-nor for
weeks and months perhaps. Oh, |
know I'm hurting you! I'm a beast to
do 1t. But a man can't mask a 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 suddenness of it," | said
DULY, and we walked a little way in
silence. 1t was she who broke it.
Il am so sorry! so sorry" she
said, in the lowest. softest voice, apd
the regret and the tenderness in it
touched me profoundly. IF | could
say something, do something, to help
to make it 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 it's 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 a 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 1t.
No, no., you are not that" she pro-
tested warmly; you are all that is
c~onsiderate and kind and good.
and T."
IF | were yielding you to any one
else" l Numbered.
DON'T" she cried; you have your
own little shrine in the temple of INV
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 questioningly.
DO you think leaving out a good
by makes a separation seem less
real?" she smiled.
This n would set the seal unon
too many things" I replied.
(TO BE CoNTINUED1
vX/-->