Arizona republican., 1912-02-09
TheCoyote By JAMES OLIVER CURWOOD. Copyright, 1910, by the Pearson
 Publishing Col

He placed the lantern on one or ,r
 rocks, and with her hand In his the,
 walked slowly out into the gloom.
 Yes. Ive. won something-the great
 est thing in the world" he said, anC
 there was the thrill of the old strength
 and fearlessness in his voice. "I
 wouldn't exchange what I've won fol
 life-not for ten lives. It's YOU
 You're losing everything But-afteI
 all-it won't be so very bad"
 She einterrupted him, her fingers
 clasping his more firmly.
 No, it won't be so very bad" she said bravely. There are a good many
 worse things. Philip. I, too, would not
 exchange what I've found in this
 mountain for that OUT THERE. Do
 you know, if I had to keep that con.
 tract-money for a title-and I had a choice, I'd stay here with you"
 God bless you," he whispered.
 'l 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 1t 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 you?"
 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, we'll 30 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, throb that grew stronger even as they held their breath. until the mountain seemed 10 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" c
 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 a 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 10 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 3 strange and sudden radiance. If you were my wife he whis- pered. If you were-it would be sasier-a thousand times easier! My wife-my wife" He repeated the words. looking into ler eyes. His breath broke in some hing that was almost a sob "Isobel-sweetheart- you be my yife?"
 For a moment she did not seem to  Your wife" Her hands stole in their sweet, ca -essing way to his face.
 Yes, my wife. l am an Episcopa- ian. And here-now-in the heart of | his mountain-without witnesses We can be man and wife. It is legal n the eyes of the law and in the eyes If God, My wife-my wife,
 Yes. yes. I know what you mean" \ glory of understanding leaped into Ter eyes. "I know what you nean-"
 You will be my wife?"
 Yes"
 Philip Dalton strengthened himself ie raised a bruised and ragged arm bove his head, and his pale face eemed suddenly to glow with the trength and triumph of a god as his words rang out clear and mighty gainst the echoing walls of the noun ain. I. PHILIP DALTON, TAKE THEE, SOBEL RODNEY, TO BE MY WED II )ED WIFE. TO HAVE AND TO II HOLD FROM THIS DAY FORWARD, II ILL DEATH DO US PART" II