The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1915-04-24

"WIII You Marry Me Tomorrow"
shrank back into the corner OF the
couch, staring at him with puzzled
eyes. Comprehension was slow In ar.
irving. AS he hurried on with his
plea she began to see clearly; her
sound. level brain grasped the insig.
nificance of this sudden decision on
his part.
There's no use waiting. dear. I'll
never be more capable OF earning a
living than am right now. ] can go
into the office with Brooks any day
and I'll think | can make good. God
knows can try hard enough. Brooks
says he's got place there for me In
the bond department. 1t won't be
much at first, but can work into a
pretty good--what's the matter? Don't
you think can do H.? Have you no
faith In me? Are you afraid to take
chance?"
She had smiled sadly--it seemed to
him reprovingly. His cheek flushed
What has put all this into your
head. Freddy. dear?" she asked
shrewdly.
His eyes wavered. II can't 60 on
living as ! have been for the past few
months. I've just got to end II, Lyddy.
You don't understand-you can't, and
there isn't any use In trying to explain
the"
Il think do understand. dear" she
said, quietly. laying her hand on his.
Il understand so completely that there
isn't any use In your trying to explain.
But don't you think you are bit cow
ardly?"
"Cowardly?" he gasped, and then
the blood rushed to his face.
us II quite fair TO me-or to your.
self?" He was silent She waited for
a moment and then went on reso-
lutely. Il know just what # is that
you are afraid OF, Freddy. shall
marry you. OF course. love you more
than anything else in all the world
But are you quite fair IL asking me
70 marry YOU while you are still afraid.
Before God. love no one else but
YOU" he cried, earnestly. IL know
what II is you are thinking and IL
don't blame you. But want you now
good God, you don't know how much
need you now. want to begin
new life with you. want to feel
that you are with me-iust you
strong and brave and enduring. am
adrlft. ! need you"
III you insist, viii marry you to-
morrow, but you cannot-you will not
ask IL OF me, viii your"
but you know love YOU" he cried.
There isn't any doubt In your mind,
Lyddy. There is no one else. tell
YOU"
Il think ! am just beginning to I'M
derstand men," she remarked enig-
maticalIy.
He looked up sharply. And to won
der why they call women the weaker
sex. eh?"
YES" she said SO seriously that the
wry smile died on his lips. Il don't
believe there are many women who
would ask man TO be sorry for them.
That's really what all this amounts
to. isn't II, Freddy"
by jovelr he exclaimed. wonder
ingly.
you are a strong, self-wiIled. chiv-
alrous man, and yet you think nothing
OF asking woman TO protect you
against yourself You are afraid to
stand alone Wait. Five minutes
yes, one minute before you asked II
OF me. Freddy dear, you were fioun-
dering In the darkness, uncertain
which way 10 turn. You were afraid
OF the things you could not see. You
looked for some place In which to hide.
The fash OF light revealed haven OF
refuge. So you asked me toto marry
you tomorrow" All through this I'm
dictment she had held his hand
clasped tightly in both OF hers. lie
was looking al her with frank nc
knowledgement growing In his eyes
Are you ashamed OF me. Lyddyg"
he asked. II was confession.
NO." she said. meeting his gaze
steadily. Il am a little disappointed,
that's all. II is you who are ashamed"
Il am" said he, simply. 1T wasn't
fair"
Love VIII endure. am content TO |
walt" she said. with a wistful smile
You VIII be my wife no matter
what happens7 You won't let this
make any differeneeT
You are not angry with me7n
Angry Why should ] be angry
with you. Lydcyf For shaking some
sense into met For seeing through
me with that wonderful, far.sighted
brain Of youra7 Why. could SO down
on my kneoh 20 sou. COULD"
lie claspcd her IN his arms and held