The Wagner leader. (Wagner, Charles Mix County, S.D.) 1912-1912, 1912-03-01

And you 90 not care LOT them!
NO"
He drew his breath sharply, hia
round face rosy.
Then you have got to listen to me,
for I'm deadly In earnest I'm an old,
rough, bald-headed fool that don't
know much about women-I neve
thought before I'd ever want to-but
you can bet on one thing, I'm square.
Anybody Id this town will tell you
I'm quare They'll tell you that
whatever I says goes. I've never run
around much with women; somehow
never exactly liked the kind I've
come up against. and maybe they did.
MT feel any particular interest in me.
I didn't cut much shine as a ladies'
man, but, I reckon now, it's only be-
cause the right one hadn't happened.
along. She is here now, though, all
right, and I knew 1t the very first time
I set eyes on her. oh, you roped and
tied me all right the first throw. May.
be | did get you and that half-sister
mixed up a bit, but just the same you
were the one I really wanted. Hopes
all right; she's a mighty fine girl. but
you are the one for me, Christie.
Could you-could you care for such a
duffer as | ann"
Her lips were smiling and SO were
her eyes, but 1t was a pleading smile.
Il don't think 1t would be SO
very hard" she admitted, mot If you
really wanted me to-"
you know what l mean-that | love
you-wish you to be my wife?"
II supposed that was it-that-that
you wanted me-"
Yes, and-and you will love?"
Her head dropped slowly, SO slowly
he did not realize the significance of
the action until her lips touched his
hand.
Il do" she said; you are the best
man In the world"
Fairbain could not move. could not
seem to realize what 1t all meant. The
outcome had been SO sudden, so sur.
prising. that all power of expression
deserted him. In bewilderment he
lifted her face and looked into her
eyes. Perhaps she realized-with the
swift intuition of a clever woman
the mans perplexity. for instantly sho
led his mind to other things.
But let US not talk of ourselves
any more, tonight. There Is SO much
l wish to know; so much that ought
to be DONE" She sprang to her feet.
ssyIyhv a. o. o1~~N~k hnv,4f,,l For r,r TN
stay here, selfishly happy, while 9TH
ers are in such trouble. Have they
discovered Hope?"
NO. we secured the whole town
and found no trace. Now they are out
side on the prairie, but there can DO
little chance Of their picking up a
trail before daylight"
And Hawley?"
HE has vanished also; without
doubt they are together. What do
you suppose he can want of her? How
do you imagine he ever got her to
60 with him? She isn't that sort OF a
girl"
She shook her head. shivering a lit
tie.
He must have mistaken her for
me-perhaps has not even yet discov-
cred his mistake. But what it all
means, or how he gained her consent
to go with him. I cannot conceive"
She stood with hands clasped, star
Ing cut Of the window.
There is q little light showing al
ready" she exclaimed, pointing. See.
yonder. oh. I trust they will find her
alive, and unhurt. That man, / be-
lieve, is capable of any crime. But
couldn't you be of some help? Why
should you remain here with me? l
am In no danger"
You really wish me to go, Chris
t!e?"
mot that way-not that way" and
she turned impulsiveiy, with hands
outstretched. "Of course I want you
here with me, but I want you to help
bring Hope back"
He drew her to him, supremely hap
py now, every feeling of embarrass-
ment lost In complete certainty of pos
session.
And I WILL" he said solemnly.
wherever they may have gone l shall
follow. I am going now, dear. and
when I come back you'll be glad to see
me?"
Shall n" her eyes uplifted to his
own, and swimming In tears. II will
be the happiest girl In all the world,
reckon. Oh, what. a night this has
been! What q wonderful night! 1t
has given me . name, q mother, and
the man I love-"
He kissed her, not In passion, but
In simple tenderness, and as he turned
away she sank upon her knees at the
window. with head bowed upon the
sill. At the door he paused and
looked back. and she turned and
smiled at him. Then he went out,
and she knelt there silently. gazing
forth into the dawn, her eyes blurred