The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1912-01-13

tract-money for a tltle-and I had a
choice, I'd stay here with you"
God bless you" ne whispered.
II would" she said, as though she
: thought he doubted her. "And now,
Philip, let's talk of what we would
have done If 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-ands 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.
eyes," he said, "v%s'll go everywhere
together. Nothing can part us
even in death"
Nothing" she said.
They both stood silent, and under
their feet there came a sudden and ter
rible throb, throh that grew stronger
even as they held their breath, until
the mountain seenved to tremble over
their heads and under their feet, and
was followed by az dull and distant
roar, like rumbling thunder smothered
in the bowels of thetearth.
Fifteen minutes more" she said,
and the hand that stocked his face was
like ice.
"Yes," he replied that's Billing
gers mountain"
They went back into the circle of
Bhostly light thKown out by the Ian
Aern. 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 a sweet breath
as he strainedfherNclose 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 easierI My
wife-my wife"
He repeated the words, looking into
her eyes. His breath broke in some
thing that was almost a sob.
"Isobel-sweetheart-will you be my
wife?"
For momentyshe did not seem to
understand.
Your wife"
Her hands stole in their sweet, ca
ressing way to his face.
"Yes, my wife. i am an Episcopa-
Iian. And here-now--in the heart of
this mountain-without Witnesses
we can be man and wife. It is legal
in the eyes. of the law and in the eyes
of God! My wife-my wife"
"YeD, yes, know what you mean"
A glory of understanding leaped into
her eyes. II know what you
mean"
"You will benny wife2"
"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 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 MY WED
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 I
THEE. PHILIP DALTON, TO BE MY
Welded HUSBAND, TO HAVE AND
TO HOLD FROM THIS DAY FOR. .
WARD. TILL DEATH DO US PART" !
my wifel" 6
my husbandw I
Their hearts ceased to beat. Clear
and distinct the bell In Philip Dalton's s
watch began tinkling Oft the hour Of =
nine. s
one-two-three-four He crushed Q
the girls head in HIS arm, smothering Y
the sound from her. Five-six- s
seven. He pressed his lips. to hers. b
Eight-nine-- 4
"My wife-n,v sweet 1Iffla xfFa