Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1910-12-02

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 Ian.
Cunningham's impulse was to drop
her to the ground by main force; but
when he lay hold upon Scr shaking
shoulders what he actually did was
to drop cross-legged beside her and
lift her golden, curly head until II
rested upon his shoulder, holding Il
there while the train continued to
gain speed and the complaining rattle
and clank grew into a furious roar.
Poor little GIRL" he muttered re-
morsefully. What an awful scrape
I've got you into"
He knew that she could not hear
him In the midst of that hideous din,
but as II In mute testimony to his
words. she held up two small palma
scratched and bleeding. =.
"Oh, my darling!" In his pain and
regret the words slipped out unheed-
ed. Finding a handkerchief. he tore
it 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 1t 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 idea occurred to him.
A blazing. beautiful idea.
Sylvia" he stammered, as rapidly
as tae beating of his heart would per-
NIT, there's jolly good way out Of
this for us II you-if you'll marry
me-" He trembled before his own
audacity and rested his burning creek
an instant against the cool softness Of
her hair, forgetting the road that re-
duced his words to mere. fluttering
breaths.
Sylvia lifted her head; Cunningham
saw her lips moving and bent till her
lashes swept his face, but still be
doubted that he heard Alright.
What is that awful smell?" she
repeated. finally making herself audi
BILE
"Phosphate!" he shouted in answer.
relieving his discontinue by strength
of lung. Its fertilizer"
The train stopped sooner than he
| hrrt q q
tank without visible light or habita'
ton.
mo escape here" he reported. look
ing down the pebbly slope Of an en-
bankment which fell away from the
door OF their prison full thirty fssG
"Oh. dear. that horrible odor." sigh
ed the girl.
Cunningham struck match. Thu
car was empty but for themselves and
the smell of the fertilizer which en-
veloped the air like loathsome. sui
locating blanket.
How can we ever EXPLAIN" CHI
lamented.
Cunningham saw his opening an;
rushed In. There's only one thipl
to do" he remarked in an elaborated!
matter-of.fact tone. land that is to Sc
married."
"What?" Sylvia's voice rose to
high note of establishment.
rs 1t so distasteful to your" b
asked. affecting a GOODNESS he did no
feel. Then, reseating himself and tai
ing the bandaged hands:
. 81 have been trying for two year
to muster the courage to propose {
. you. You must have seen how har
hit I am"
you never said anything"
I'm saying 1t now; and-you-car
a little. don't you. Sylvia? It's tn
= best way"
Sylvia neither answered nor shran
! from his embrace.
81 have no idea where this train
taking u.s." he continued. but we sha
!, come to a town before long. that's &c
tain. Ministers and licenses are ca
ily found. You have no parents
consult. nor have I. and neither OF
are a minor. After we're married Y
: will come back and tell Prexy 9
about It. He'll stand for It, thinl
u he's a fine fellow" he finished Stout
y Sylvia began to cry. silently at mr.
then a little harder.
!, I'VE shall lose our diplomas, ! ~
q know" she sobbed. smuggling D.
:. cheek against his vest pocket In
, rather comfortable manner. nevertn
"a less
What is a piece Of old sheepski
ia anyway" he challenged, COMPANY
N With our having each otherT
II don't know, Mr.. Cunningham
10 very TREMENDOUSLY.
,e Call me Tom dear"
i'd "Tom." more TREMENDOUSLY still
IL then. with a nervous giggle. dear"
The locomotive, having drunk
re fill, now pounded on with loud.
umphant toots and sonorous pufis
m exultation, bearing its blissful car
into the golden unknown.