The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1912-02-11


God bless you," he whispered.
81 would" she said, as though she
thought he doubted her. "And now,
Philip, let's talk OF what we would
have done II you had only told me that
you loved me up there on the rock
where the wires are? Let's make It
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
cover the hot tears that were running
down his cheeks.
"Yes," he said, wen 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
ribIe throb, a throb that grew stronger
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 rumbling thunder smothered
In the bowels of the earth.
Fifteen minutes more" she said,
and the hand that stroked his face was
like ice.
"Yes," he 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 we're
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 wifel" 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 srms. and hold
her back from him, staring at her
with eyes into which there bad come
a strange and sudden radiance.
"If you were my wife," he whis-
pered. eff 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 sob.
"Isobel-sweetheart-will ron be my
wife?"
For a moment she did not seem to
understand.
Your wife"
Her hands stole in their sweet, ca
ressing way to his face
YES, my wife. am an Episcopa-
Han. And here--now--in the heart OF
this mountain--without Witnesses
we can be man and wife. 1t is legal
in the eyes OF the law and in the eyes
of Godl Ny wife-my wife"
eyes, yes, know what you mean"
A glory Of understanding Ieaped into
her eyes. 81 know what you
| mean"
| ''You win be my wife7"
''Yes.
Philip Dalton Strengthened himself.
He raised a bruised and ragged arm
, above his head, and his pale face
seemed suddenly to glow with the
strength and triumph Of a god as his
. words rang out clear and mighty
, against the echoing walls Of the noun
. tain
I, PHILIP DALTON. TAKE THEE,
) IsoBEL RODNEY, TO BE ny 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 I, ISoBEL 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 .
j "My wife!"
! my husband!"
/. Their hearts ceased to beat. Clear
and distinct the bell in Philip Dalton's
r watch began tinkling OF the hour Of
nine.
One-two--tbree--four. He crushed
; the girls head in his arm, smothering
; the sound from her. Five-six-
{ seven. He pressed his lips to hers.
I Eight-nine-
~