The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1911-06-08

him in the midst of that hideous din.
out 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 a handkerchief, he tore
II IN strips and awkwardly wound the
pieces about her hands. Then, there
being no other way to secure the
Dandages, he laid one palm upon the
other and held them so. During this
operation 1t was necessary for Miss
FerFlS 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.
\ blazing, beautiful idea.
Sylvia" he stammered, as rapidly
as the beating Of his heart would per-
init, there's a jolly good way out Of
this for us if 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, futtering
breaths.
Sylvia lifted her head; Cunningham
saw her lips moving and bent till her
lashes swept his face, but still he
doubted that he heard Alright.
What is that awful smell?" she
repeated. finally making herself audi
BILE.
So shocked was Cunningham that
he had little breath with which to
sniff. There did seem to be an ode
now that it had come to notice
overpowering, but familiar.
"P%hosphate!" he shouted In answer,
relieving his discontinue by strength
of lung. It's fertilizer"
Sylvia nodded and dipped her dainty
nose into the rose that decorated his
lapel. Cunningham decided that con-
versation was out of the question, and
there was no use getting fretty about
It. The train would have to stop
some time. Meanwhile, with both
hands comfortably full, he mapped out
his course of procedure.
The train stopped ooner than he
had expected. but at a lonely water
tank without visible light or habita-
ton.
No 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 feet.
oh, dear, that horrible odor." sigh.
ed the girl.
Cunningham struck a match. The
car was empty but for themselves and
the smell of the fertilizer which en-
veloped the air like a loathsome, suf-
locating blanket.
How can we ever explain?" she
lamented.
Cunningham saw his opening and
rushed in. There's only one thing
10 do" he remarked in an deliberately
matter-of-fact tone, land that is to get
married"
WHAT" Sylvia's voice rose to a
high note of establishment.
rs it so distasteful TO your" he
asked. affecting a GOODNESS he did %
feel. Then. ~reseating himself and TAX
ing the bandaged hands:
Il have been trying for two years
to muster the courage to propose to
you. You must have seen how hard
hit | am
you never said anything"
I'm saying it now: and-you-care
a little. don't you. Sylvia? It's the
best way"
Sylvia neither answered o shrank
from his embrace.
81 have no idea where this train IL
taking u.s." he continued, but we shall
come to a town before long. that's GER
tain. Ministers and licenses are cas-
ily found. You have no parents to
consult, nor have |. and neither of rs
are a minor. After we're married we
will come back and tell Prexy all
about it. He'll stand for it. l think;
he's a fine fellow" he finished stoutly.
Sylvia began to cry, silently at first
then a little harder.
we shall lose our diplomas, / just
know. she sobbed, smuggling her
cheek against his vest pocket in a
rather comfortable manner, neverthe-
less.
What is a piece of old sheepskin,
anyway" be challenged, compared
with our having each other?"
Il don't know, Mr.. Cunningham"
very TREMENDOUSLY.
Call me Tom dear"
Tom" more TREMENDOUSLY still
then, with a nervous giggle. dear"
The locomotive, having drunk its
ill, now pounded on with loud, tri-
umphant toots and sonorous pufs of
exultation. bearing its blissful cargo
into the golden unknown.
His Cure.
Pitman-Why don't Saunders sing
any more?
Horner--He listened to a solo he
had made on a photograph cylinder.