Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-01-11

CHOICE, stay mere with YOU.
God bless you he whispered
Il would" she said as though she
thought he doubted her. And now,
Philip, let's talk OF what we would
have done il you had only told me that
you loved me up there on the rock
where the wires are? Let's make il
REAL. I'm going with you--EVERY-
WHERE-and I'm going to help you
build railroads, and bridges. and blow
up mountains. You'll let me, won't
your"
He was choking. He drew her close
in his arms, and held his face away
from her so that she would not dis
down his cheeks
Yes" he said, "we'll.go everywhere
together. Nothing can part US
even in death
Nothing" she said
They both stood silent, and under
their feet there came sudden and ter
even as they held their breath until
the mountain seemed to tremble over
their heads and under their feet. and
was followed by a dull and distant
roar. like rumblng thunder smothered
in the bowels of the earth
Fifteen minutes more" she said
and the hand that stroked his face was
like ice.
Yes" ne replied, that's Billing
gers mountain
They went back into the circle Of
ghostly light thrown out by the Ian
tern. She lifted her eyes straight to
his face. and he marveled at the
strength which he saw in them. Her
cheeks were like wax. Her lips were
pale Against this white contrast her
blue eyes shone deeper and darker.
The coils Of her golden hair had loos-
ened. and suddenly he reached up and
shook them down, so that her shining
tresses rippled about her shoulders.
filling his nostrils with sweet breath
as he strained her close to him again.
burying his face in that golden glory.
My wife," he cried TO her softly.
He felt her arms tighten about him.
and in their thrilling pressure there
came to him an inspiration which
made him loosen his arms, and hold
her back from him. staring at her
with eyes into which there had come
strange and sudden radiance.
IF you were my wife" he whis-
pered. IF you were-it would be
easier--a thousand times easier. Ny
wife-my wife,
He repeated the words looking into
her eyes. His breath broke in some
thing that was almost a sob
"Isobel-sweetheart you be my
wife,
For a moment she did not seem 10
understand.
Your wife"
Her hands stole in Their sweet, ca
ressing way to his face.
Yes. my wife. | am an Episcopal
liam. And here-now--in the heart OF
this mountain-without Witnesses
we can he man and wife. 1t is legal
in the eyes Of the law and in the eyes
of God. Ny wife--my wife,
Yes. yes, know what you mean"
glory of understanding leaped into
her eyes. Il know what you
you will be my wife,"
Yes"
Philip Dalton Strengthened himself.
He raised bruised and ragged arm
above his head, and his pale face
seemed suddenly TO glow with the
strength and triumph of god as his
words rang ont clear and mighty
against the echoing walls of the noun
tain.
|. PHILIP DALTON, TAKE THEE
ISOBEL RODNEY, TO BE MY WE'D
DED WIFE. TO HAVE AND TO
HOLD FROM THIS DAY FORWARD
TILL DEATH DO Us PART"
And then. in the stiffness, there rose
the girls voice firm and sweet, say
ing after him;
"AND |. ISOBEI. RODNEY, TAKE
THEE, PHILIP DALTON, TO BE MY
Welded HUSBAND, TO HAVE AND
TO HOLD FROM THIS DAY FOR
WARD. TILL DEATH DO Us PART"
My wife,"
My husband"
Their hearts ceased to beat Clear
and distinc, tho bell in Philip Dalton
watch began tinkling off the hour of
nine.
One-two- thvee-tour. lie crushed
the girls head ia MS arm. smoihering
the sound from her Fivc--six-
seven. He pressed his lips to here
my wife-my sweet little wife---'~,