The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1916-02-04
Gllep[D MIST
"a IAI[ OF CIVIL STRIFE I.
* RANDALL PARRISH Y
ILLUSTRATIONS 6rc.DpHoDES

| No. the one IS all. You really be.
lieved those who attacked us were
cownn's men7"
y had no other thought. Miss No
reen.r
Then your proposal was merely
made In the hope OF thus protecting
me from insultg"
That was my sole thought at the
time" replied soberly. 1T was a
desperate chance. ye, the only one ap.
parently left us. That is what /
wanted to say. to explain" went on
hastily. before she could interrupt. Il
realize the serious mistake made, and
how embarrassing II must all be to
you. But you must believe me a
gentleman, ] would never have spo.
Ken one word; never have made any
claim upon you. Miss Noreen, real
lie that ] have no right"
You may call me Noreen," she said
simply. We have been friends, and
think we will always be. do trust
you. and believe In you; only ! wanted
70 understand fully your motive. | do
not blame you. nor myself; we did
what seemed best at the time. and
now we must meet the issue as we
best can. Perhaps | should not have
said what ] did back there in Lewis.
burg. had no time In which TO CON
slider and my only thought then was
to Justify my action In aiding your
escape My-my being your---your
wife was the only excuse | could urge
for such dislOyalty."
And NOW you are sorry? Z"
lido not know" hesitatingly. 81
cannot decide, Where do you take
me7"
"Noreen," ! said soberly, struggling
to Keep my head from touching her
own, where Il rested on the grass, "it
Is too late now TO go back; to think
OF going back. We cannot deny or
conceal our marriage. since you have
openly acknowledged 1t, and we have
gone away together. There Is only
one straight path left for us now
across the mountains to old Virginia y
II know--and then?"
you must trust my honor. my dis.
erection. We are friends, you say, and
mean 70 prove worthy. My orders
VIII take me TO Richmond; have YOU
either friends or relatives there?"
Il am not sure. the war has made
such changes-but hardly think any
In whom | could confide."
Then we win find way for you 10
join my mother; she Is In North Caro-
lima, out OF the track of armies. You
viii consent to go to herr"
III you think 1t best. IL have
never met your mother; perhaps"
You will be Just as welcome; I
VIII write her every detail, and she
will be rejoiced to shelter you. The
only trouble is the necessary delay in
volyed by the war; the impossibillty
of your yenturing to return to Green
Briar until the conflict is over"
She was silent long while, her eyes
east down, her breathing noticeably
rapid waited, not knowing what
else to add, and was about to propose |
her lying down, when she spoke sud |
denly
you mean our--our separation? ?"
Certainly. That can be easily ar. |
ranged as soon as the courts are again |
n session, Possibly the ceremony was
lot even legal without witnesses but
inder the circumstances, II had better
% dissolved In court. Such action
would remove all doubt from your
mind"
"Yes--l suppose SO; you--you make
/ very clear. And that would have
o be done in Green Briar?--the--the
letion for divorce?"
"At Lewisburg: not necessarily. Of
course, but ! supposed you would rath.
Y have the facts made known there.
10 that your friends can realize all the
'onditlons--the cause. mean. Pos.
Iibly you may not need to do this.
Not needl why?"
"A soldier never knows what nm.
'ther minute means: | am a soldier"
She did not look at me. or move
! thought the hand resting on
he grass trembled
Il believe will lie down." she said
lnally. is that the place you have
hosen. beyond those trees?"
Yes; let me help you up; the blan.
lets are both yours. shall not need
my"
stood and watched her move across
through the mingled shade and sun,
ntil her slender form finally disap-
cared behind the screen of under
rowth. Once she had glanced about.
'ausing as though some thought had
occurred suddenly. but she did not
peak | was left alone.
fHApTEn wynn