The evening world., 1912-07-02

no. Nancy was bound to mo
kxV for ali time. had only meant
to give all my help and all my
love. but tho situation had
moved beyond my control Because In
the eyes OF tho world wa had lived
not quito eighteen hours as man and
wife. As man and wife we must live
until death came to part Us.
but I boro her greater love than that:
I loved her too truly TO b selfish very
long. Perhaps. even yet. there was
time to help hor In n more unselhsh
way. and to frightcn Ephraim Bond
into his senses. to punish him In come
measure N he deserved.
Nancy" I said. ~ our marriage
was not legal. there Ia q way out for
you yet Scarcely any one has seen
us. scarcely any ono knows that We
have been here at all. Suppose that I
go back to New York alone and look
into this business. II we were not
really married I will 20 TO your uncle
and tell him all that now know. The
witnesses OF an illegal marriage would
scarcely be Mt much pains TO tell OF
what they saw. You could be happy.
then. and free. for I could frtKhten
your uncle into giving you anything
that you wished"
Nancy said nothing. but kept walk
ing slowly beside mo. Far down tho
road I saw the dust of wagon.
I'VE will have to stop now. II We
are not going 20 be seen together.
There Ia some one coming In sight
now" I raid.
Are you unhappy Nancy asked.
Are you unhappy with things rs
they arey"
You know that I am not" I an.
swered. II have never been no hap
by In my life"
Nor have l." said Nancy. ana her
voice was very low but unafraid.
Nancy" I cried. and stopped short
I'm the middle OF the road. The wagon
was coming over the ridge OF the neat
hill. g,
thought her voice shook a little
What do you mean asked.
You mean that you arc more happy
than you have been In years: that IL
all you mean. Isn't IL?
mo. don't know why. but ! am
moro happy than ! have ever BEEN
more happy than I was whom my
father was alive to me-.
"But-oh, Nancy. you could not care
10 be near such a man AZ l am. Happl-
ness In nearness means love- and you
could never love such man"
Gould you love me?" Her voice was
very low indeed now
Love YOU? love tho very things
YOU have touched. have never done
ANYTHING else but love you. and night
against IL, since saw you in the door
way. whether you love OF hate me,
can never do anything else but love
YOU. God forgive me. how should |
dare to love you. and yet how can
help but lover
II think I love you. too. Hush. dear;
II Is not wrong OF you to love me
Nancy"
wait, Mason: do not touch me yet
7 want 10 be very sure. You ana love
have come so suddenly into my life
that can scarcely believe IL az.
nust have a little time, very little
time, Mason dear. but l do not think
| that We need be afraid
Tho wagon ratified up. and was past
| in a cloud OF dust was drunkenly
dizzy. and Nancy and and the bright
country around US seemed haEy I'M
realities; then, slowly. things straight
sned themselves about me, and with a
great effort I regsined some self-com-
mand.
Very we'll" I said; you shall tell me
when you have had time to think. but do
not forget what you are ana what am. "
II have never forgotten that" she
answered.
Then come" sald I'VE have more
errands 70 do than We shall possibly
have time for"
SO we walked along the road until we
saw the town Graded IN . little valley
Ct our feet.