Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1912-02-09

y0u-that way"
Job. in that case," she said. will
assumed deliberateness. and he coulL
have sworn to the roguish gleam-"ir
that case. since you are willing tC
consider my offer. let me make Il few
remarks. In the first place you need
not sneer at adventure when you are
living it yourself. and yon were GER
tainly living it when found you first
down with fever on a lonely pIanta
ton with couple Of hundred wild
cannibals thirsting for your lite
Then came along
"And what with your arriving in a
gale" he broke in. fresh from the
wreck of your schooner. landing on
the beach in whaebOat full of pic
turesque Tahitian sailors and march
ing into the bungalow with Baden
Powell on your head. sea boots on your
feet and a whacking big Colts dan.
Cling on your hip-why. 1 am only too
ready to admit that you were the
Quntessence of adventure"
every good" she cried exultantly.
TITS mere simple arithmetir-the add.
ing of your adventure and my ad-
venture together. So that's settled.
and you needn't jeer at adventure any
more. Next | don't think there was
| anything romantic in Iudor's attempt
ing to kiss me nor anything like ad-
venture in this absurd duel. But |
| do think now that it was romantic
for you to fall in love with me. And
| finally. and 1t Is adding romance to TO.
nance. ] think think do love you.
Dave-oh. Dave"
The last was a signing dove cry as
he caught her up in his arms and
pressed her to him.
But ] don't love you because you
played the fool today" she whisper
ed on his shoulder. White men
shouldn't 60 around killing each 9TH
err"
"Then why do you love me?" he
questioned, enthralled after the man
ner Of all lovers in the everlasting
query that forever has remained IN
answered.
II don't know-just because do.
guess. And that's all the satisfaction
you gave me when we had that man
talk. But have been loving you for
weeks-during all the time you have
been SO deliciously and unobtrusiveIy
jealous of Tudor"
Eyes. yes. 60 on" he urged breath
lessly when she paused.
II wondered when you'd break out,
and because you didn't loved you all
the more. You were like dad and
Won. You could hold yourself in
check. You didn't make fool of
yourself"
mot until today" he suggested.
Eyes. and loved you for that too.
1t was about time. began to think
you were never going to bring up the
subject again. And now that | have
offered myself you haven't even ac
cepted."
With both hands on her shoulders he
held her at arms length from him and
looked long into her eyes, no longer
cool, but seemingly pervaded with a
golden flush. The lids dropped and
yet braveIy did not droop as she re-
turned his gaze. Then he fondly and
solemnly drew her to him.
And how about that hearth and
saddle of your own:" he asked mo-
ment later.
~ we'll nigh won to them. The
grass house is my hearth and the
Martha my saddle. and-and look at
all the trees I've planted. to say 10th
ing of the sweet corn. And its all
your fault anyway. might never
have loved you if you hadn't put the
idea into my head"
'There's the NOnGasela coming in
around the point with her boats out
Sheldon remarked irrelevantly. And
tue commissioner is on board. He's
going down to San Cristobal to iuves-
tigate that missionary killing. We're
in luck. | must say"
u don't see where the luck comes
In" she said dolefuly. 1--WE ought TO
have this evening all TO ourselves Just
to talk things over. I've a thousand
questions to ask you.
land it wouidn have been a man
talk either" she added.
But my plan is better than that"
He debated with himself Il moment.
''You see. the commissioner Is the one
official in the islands who can give us
a license And-there's the luck OF it
DR.. Weshmere is here to perform the
ceremony. Wen set married this
evening"
Joan recoiled from him in panic.
tearing herself from his arms ana 60
ing backward several steps lie could
see that she was really frightened.
I'll thought she stamtnered.
Then slowly the change came over
her. and the blood flooded into her
face in the same amazing blush ne
had seen once before that day. Her
cool. level looking eyes We're NJ longer
level looking nor cool. but warmly
dropping and just unable to meet his.
as she came toward him and nestled
in the circle of his arms. saving softly.
almost In whisper:
II am ready. Dave"
THE END.