The Huttig news., 1915-10-23

Sooiu eee the giltter or pistol in her hand. thought swept through my braln-so daring. so reckless, I gasped at the mere wildness of the sugges- ton. Yet it might answer; 1t might succeed, But would she consent: even Tn her desperation. in the extreme of her terror, would she grasp at such a straw? There was nothing eise-not another chance. This might not be one-yet it would surely serve to de. lay; it would place me in between her and Anse Cowan. She could not legally marry him, if she were once my wife! Only the girl whose eyes just then met mine
 II have thought of one way" said eagerly, the words coming forth almost incoherent. That is if you will listen to what I propose. There IS nothing else feasible so far as 1 can see. They-they are in the front rooms now-hear them, We haven't a moment to lose Will you-will you consent to marry mel"
 She shrank back a step, staring at me with wide-opened eyes, breathing heavily
 Marry! marry you?' she faItered wildly. "Why what can you mean! i -I do not understand"
 "Of course not-the conception is wild, impractical, perhaps. It must seem so to you-yet listen 1t IS the one way left open to save you from Anse Cowan. You can trust me? You do trust me. do you not?"
 "Ye-es-but-"
 This is no time to question. They are coming here now, those fellows with Anse Cowan at their head Ton know wtat for. The question is mi do you wish to marry me; but do you trust me more than you do Anse Cow an? Eistent it will be a form only-1 am not eonceited enough to believe you desire me for your husband. But you know who l am; you have confidence in my honor. He cannot marry you if you are already my wife"
 "He-he could kill you"
 Yes, there are enough of them; but that might happen anyway. No doubt it would, fer otherwise should fight to the end I do not think being your husband will add in the least to my danger-and it will possibly. le- gally. protect you"
 But how can |? Will it be legal?"
 "Noreen, don't stop to argue, or doubt" urged, grasping her hand in eagcrness. We haven't time. Listen to these voices in the hall, Of course it will be legal-Niehols Is an ordained shall never attempt to hold ycu, Norcen, and any court will set you free the moment you tell the story. The one, the only thing, for you to con slider now, Is escape from Anse Cow an"
 You do this toto save me?
 "To keep you from falling helpless ly into the clutches of heaSt-tell me yes, My God, girl, there they are now trying the door! Answer-wiil you?'
 "Yes-yes, Tom Wyatt"
 With one leap past her had Nich- ols by the collar, the muzzle of my re- volyer at his head. A heavy foot crashed against the locked door, and veice without gave utterance to an oath.
 Marry me to this girl, l command ed sternly Come now, not word; dont wait to ask question. Noreen. take my hand"
 "Open up in there or we'll break down the doorl" came hoarsely from the hallway.
 My eyes never left Nichols face What he read of threat l know not, but his lips began to stumble through the form, though l could scarcely dis tinguish a word. His face was gray with terror. and dared not look aside at the silent girl-only vaguely realized that the hand held in mine trembled, and once, when she had to sneak. the two words uttered were al most sob.
 Never surely was there stranger marriage in all the world. The dying embers of the stable fire shot red gleams of flame over us through the unshaded windows, giving Nichols ghastly look, and glowing on the steel barrel of the revolver I held poised at his head His voice faltered aLd broke and clotted blood rendered hideous one side of his face while his hands shook as If with palsy All the sneaking coward in him was manifest Outside a dozen voices roared, one rising grun above the others shouting orders. Once a single shot crashed through the up- per panel of the door and broke the glass of window opposite. The girl, startled. reeled against me, and the preacher stopped, gasping for breath.
 No firing, you fool!" roared a deep voice angrily. We don't want any dead ones-beat down the door'"
 "Go on," 1 ordered grimly, and thrust the black muzzle hard against his cheek The preacher choked, but the usual words of the ritual-sound- ing almost like mockery- me chanicallv from his tongue.
 And now l pronounce you man and wife, and whom God hath joined to-