Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-11-03

waiting. But despite bic seeming OF
confidence and calm his brain reeled
sloriously with an into1ication Of the
soul. He saw her standing there.
straight and 1.-THE and slender. with
the moon.washed sky ct her back and
the inky shadows of the porch throw
ing the picture into vivid relief.
She took an involuntary step to-
ward him with lifted arms. and then,
with a strong effort. % II struggling
against a spell. she drew back again,
and her voice came very low and
broken.
II can't can't:"- she pleaded.
but wish to God could"
Then Anse H&vey began to speak.
"Ye've talked. an I've listened to
ye. Ye've taken my life away from
me an made 1t . little scrap of your
own life-ye've let Us both come to
needin' each other more than food an
drink an breath. For me there's no
life without 70. In all the earth there's
just you-you-you:: For every true
woman in the world day comes when
there's Just one man. an for every
man there's just one woman. When
that day comes nothin' else counts.
That's why all them reasons Of yours
don't mean anything"
His voice had the ring Of triumph
as he added: You're goin' to marry
me tonight. Comet"
He raised both arms and held them
out, and though for moment she
hung back, her eyes were still irresist-
IDLY held by his and the magnetism
that dwelled in them. With gasp
ing exclamation that was half surren-
der and half echo of his own triumph
she swept into mis- embrace.
AS she locked her fingers caressing-
~ behind his dark head she wished
for words fine and splendid beyond the
ordinary to tell him of her love. But
no phrases of eloquence came.
Then she felt his arms grow abrupt
ly rigid and he was pressing her from
him with a gentle insistence. while his
face turned to peer into the moonlight
with the tepsity of one who is listen
ing not only with his ears, but with
every nerve Of his being.
Slowly he drew back, still tense
and alert, and from his eyes the ten
der glow died until they narrowed End
hardened and the jaw angle stiffened
and the lips drew themselves into
their old line of warlike sternness.
She locked again into the face OF the
mountaineer, the feudist of the yi.d
creature turning to stand at bay.
For a moment they remained mo-
tionless, and her fingers rested on
his arms and felt the strain on his
tautened biceps.
Cod" he muttered almost in.
audibly
What is it," she whispered. but
he replied only with a warning shake
Of the head.
Once more ne stood listening. then
gently turned her so that his body
was between her and the outside
world. He thrust her back into the
open door and followed her inside.
His words came slowly. and though
they were calm they carried a very
bitter note.
II must go. I hoped they'd let me
live long enough to marry ye. but
reckon they're weary of bidin' theil
time" .
He had closed the door and stood
looking down at. her with deep hun
ger in his face.
What is it, Anse? What did 70,
hear out there?" Her face had gone
pallid and she chung to his arms with
grip that indicated no intention OF
release.
'Nothin' much. Just the crackin' Of
twig or two: just some steps in the
bush that was too cautious to sound
honest; little noises that wouldn't
mean much If didn'f know what they
do mean. They weren't friendly
sounds. They're after me-"
who? What do you mean?"
Her voice came in low panic Of
whispering, and even as she spoke the
man was listening with his head bent
toward the closed door.
He laughed mirthlessly under hii
breath.
II don't know who they've picked
out to get me. 1t don't matter much
does it? But know they've picked
tonight. I've been lookin' for it, but
It seems they might have let me have