Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1910-11-23

Tearing herself from his grasp, she
sank down in the patch Of moonlight
that shone In through the open door,
way and buried her face in her lap.
Cunningham's impulse was to drop
her to the ground by main force; but!
when he lay hold upon her shaking
shoulders what he actually did was
to drop cross-legged beside her and
lift her golden, curly head until. 1t
rested upon his shoulder, holding it
there while the train continued to
gain speed and the complaining rattle
and clank grew into furious roar.
Poor little girl" he muttered re-
morsefully. what an awful scrape
I've got you into"
He knew that sic csxId not hear
him in the midst of that hideous din,
but as If in mute testimony to his
words, she held up two small palms,
scratched and bleeding.
"Oh, my darling!" In his pain and
regret the words slipped out unheed-
ed. Finding handkerchief, he tore
1t IN strips and awkwardly wound the
pieces about her hands. Then. there
being no other way to secure the
bandages, he laid one palm upon the
other and held them so. During this
operation it was necessary for Miss
Ferris to sit up in the jolting, sway
Ing car unsupported, but when, upon
finishing the task, Cunningham again
slipped his arm about her shoulders
and drew her head to its former posi-
ton, she made no resistance.
A wonderful idsa occurred to him
A blazing, beautiful idea.
| sylvia" he stammered, as rapidly
as the beating of his heart would per
NIT, there's a jolly good way out o.
this for us If you-if you'll marry
me-" He trembled before his OWL
audacity and rested his burning creel
an instant against the cool softness O
her hair, forgetting the road that re
duced his words to mere. flutterini
breaths.
Sylvia lifted her head; cunningham
saw her lips moving and bent till he
lashes swept his face, but still h
doubted that he heard Alright.
what is that awful smell?" sh
repeated. finally making herself audi
BILE.
"Phosphate!" he shouted in answer
relieving his discontinue by strengt]
of lung. "It's fertilizer!"
The train stopped sooner than h
had expected, but at a lonely waite
tank without visible light or habits
ton.
mo escape here" he reported, lool
ing down tho pebbly slope Of an en-
bankment which fell away from tn
door Of their prison full thirty feet.
"Oh, dear, that horrible odor," sigl
ed the girl.
Cunningham struck match. Th
car was empty but for themselves an
the smell of the fertilizer which e1
veloped the air like loathsome, su
locating blanket.
How can we ever explain?" 81
lamented.
Cunningham saw his opening an
rushed in There's only one thin
to do" he remarked in an elaborated
matter-of-fact tone, land that is to 6,
married"
WHAT" Sylvia's voice rose to
high note of establishment.
rs it so distasteful to you!"
: asked, affecting a GOODNESS he did n,
feel. Then, reseating himself and Ia
+ ing the bandaged hands:
: II have been trying for two yea,
to muster the courage to propose
). you. You must have seen how hal
!, hit I am
l "You never said anything
I'm saying it now; and-you-cal
! little, don't you, Sylvia? It's Il
l best way"
Sylvia neither answered nc: shra1
! from his embrace.
II have no idea where this train
taking u.s." he continued, "but we shs
:, come to town before long, that's &C
- tain. Ministers and licenses are ca
y lily found. You have no parents
consult, nor have I, and neither of
= are a minor. After we're married '
will come back and tell Pre1y {
. about it. He'll stand for it, l thin]
- he's fine fellow" he finished stout
Sylvia began to cry, silently at fir
= then a little harder.
I'VE shall lose our diplomas, I ju
a know" she sobbed, smuggling b
!. cheek against his vest pocket in
!. rather comfortable manner, neyerth
q less.
What is a piece Of old sheepski
8 anyway" he challenged, compare
q with our having each other?"
Il don't know. Mr.. Cunningham
0 very TREMENDOUSLY.
Q Call me 'Tom,' DEAR"
"Tom,' more tremulously still
: them, with nervous giggle, dear"
the locomotive. having drunk 1
, fill, now pannaed on with soud, II
umphant toatA and s(:norous puffs
1 exultation, bearing its blissfsl cars
into the golden unknown.
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