Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1912-06-13
CHAPTER XVI.
The Betrotbal.

ne betrothaI-
TRENGTH cane to US as we
had need. and gradually even
the weaker of us two became
- able to complete the days jour
ney without the exhaustion it at first
had cost her Summer was now upon
us, and the heat at midday was in
tense, although the nights. as usual,
were cold. Deprived Of all pack ami
mails except our dog. we were perforce
reduced 10 the highest of gear, and
discomfort was our continual lot. Food,
however. we could still secure, abun-
dant meat and sometimes the roots Of
plants which | dug up and tested,
though scarce knew what they were.
We moved steadily on toward the west
and northwest, but although we cross
ed many old Indian trails, we saw no
more of these savage travellers of the
plains.
1t would be bootless to pass beyond
Laramie into the mountains, and our
next course, / thought, must be to-
ward the south. / did not know that
we were then perhaps hundred miles
or more northwest of Laramie, deep in
a mountain range far north. of the
transcontinental trail. For the time,
however, it seemed wise to tarry here
for rest and recruiting. threw down
the pack. Now" said to her, 1--WE
rest"
eyes, she replied, turning her face
to the south, Laramie is that way
now. If we stop here my father will
come and find us. But, then, how
could he find us. little as we are, in
this big country? Our trail would not
be different from that of Indians even
if they found it fresh enough to read.
Suppose they never found usp'
Then said |, I'VE should have to
live here forever and ever
She looked at me curiously. could
we? she asked.
Until l was too old to hunt, you too
weak to sew the robes or cook the
food
What would happen then?"
I'VE would die" said l. 1.-The world
would end. would have to begin all
over again and wait twice ten million
years until man again was evolved
from the amoeba, the reptile, the ape.
When we died this dog here would be
the only hope of the world"
1t was understood that we should
stay here for at least two days, to
mend our clothing and prepare food for
the southern journey. The next day
she came to me as sat by our meager
Preside. Without leading of mine she
began manner of speech until now
foreign to her.
what is marriage, John Cowles?"
she asked of me. abruptly, with no
preface.
at is the plan,'' answered apathet-
ically. She pondered for time.
"Are we, then, only creatures, pup
pets, toys?"
YES" l said to her. "a man is a
toy. Love was born before man was
created. before animals or plants.
Atom ran to atom. seeking. 1t was
love- She pondered yet while.
"And what Is it, then. John Cowles.
that women call .wrong?'"
Every often what is right" said to
her. alphabetically. When two love
the crime is that they shall not wed,
When they do not love. the crime is
when they do we'd"
But without marriage" she hesi~
tated, 1.-THE home"
ut is the old question: said. 1.-The
home is built on woman's virtue, but
virtue is not the same where there is
no home. ho property, where there is
no society. 1t is an artificial thing.
born of compromise. and grown strong
err by custom of the ages of property
owning man.
] saw a horror come across her eyes.
What do you say to me, John
Cowles? That what woman prizes
is not right. is not good? No. that
shall not think" She drew apart from
me.
love YOU" said.
"Yet you say so many things. have
taken life as it came, just as other girls
do, not thinking. 1t is not nice. it is
not clean. that girls should study over
these things. That is not right
mo: that is not right" said DULY.
s'Then tell me what is marriage. that
one thing girl dreams of all her life
Is it of the church"
1T is not of the church. said
"Then II is the law
1T is not the law" said.
"Then what Is it?'' she asked "John
Cowles, tell me what makes wedding
between two who really and truly love?
Can marriage be Of but twog'
Continued Next week.)