Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1916-01-06
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mo. the one is all: You really be.
lieved those who attacked us were
Cowan's men!"
! had no other thought. Miss No
reen." a...a
Then your proposal was merely
made in the hope Of thus protecting
me from insult?"
THAT was my sole thought at the
time," ] replied soberly. at was 4
desperate chance, yet the only one an
parently left US. That Is what
wanted to say. to explain" l went on
hastily. before she could interrupt. Il
realize the serious mistake made, and
how embarrassing 1t must all be t.
you. But you must believe me 4
gentleman. l would never have spo
ken one word; never have made any
claim upon you. Miss Noreen. I real
lie that l have no right"
"You may call me Noreen." she said
simply. I'VE have been friends. and
think We will always be. do trust
you. and believe in you; only | wanted
to understand fully your motive. dc
not blame you, nor myself: We did
what seemed best at the time. and
now We must meet the issue ~ We
best can. Perhaps l should not have
said what / did back there In Lewis
burg. I 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--youl
wife was the only excuse could urge
for such disloyalty."
And now you are sorry?"
lido not know" hesitatingly. q
cannot decide. Where do you take
me?"
"Noreen," said soberly. struggling
to keep my head from touching hel
own, where 1t rested on the grass, II
Is too late now to 60 back; to thinl
OF going back. We cannot deny OF
conceal our marriage, since you hav,
openly acknowledged it. and we hav,
gone away together. There 10 onl!
one straight path left for US now
across the mountains to old Virginia
IL know-and then?"
"You must trust my honor, my dis
erection. We are friends. you say, ant
l mean to prove worthy. My orders
will take me to Richmond; have 20,
either friends or relatives there?"
II am not sure. the war has mad,
such changes-but hardly think an.
in whom l could confide."
Then we will find q way for you I,
join my mother; she is in North Caro-
lima, out of the track of armies. 70,
will consent to 60 to herr"
IF you think 1t best. IL hav,
never met your mother; perhaps.
you will be just as welcome;
will write her every detail, and sh,
will be rejoiced to shelter you. TIL
only trouble Is the necessary delay In
volved by the war: the impossibilit.
of your venturing to return to Greer
Briar until the conflict is over"
She was silent long while, her eye
cast down, her breathing noticeabl,
rapid. I waited, not knowing wha
else to add, and was about to propos
her lying down. when she spoke sud
denly:
"You mean our--our separation"
Certainly. That can be easily al
ranged as soon as the courts are agai,
in session. Possibly the ceremony wa
not even legal without witnesses, but
under the circumstances, 1t had bette
be dissolved in court Such actor
would remove all doubt from you
mind"
"Yes-I suppose so; you-you max
1t very clear. And that would hav
to be done in Green Briar ?-the-th
action for divorced"
AT Lewisburg; not necessarily, O
course, but supposed you would rath
er have the facts made known there
SO that your friends can realize all tn
conditions--the cause, l mean. Pos
sibly you may not need to do this"
Not need! Why?"
"A soldier never knows what an
other minute means; am soldier"
She did not look at me. or move
although thought the hand resting OF
the grass trembled.
Il believe l will lie down." she salt
finally. rs that the place You hav'
chosen, beyond those trees?"
Yes; let me help you up: the blan
kets are both yours. shall not nee'
any"
stood and watched her move acros
through the mingled shade and sun
until her slender form finally disar
peared behind the screen OF under
growth. Once she had glanced about
pausing as though some thought ha,
occurred suddenly. but she did no
speak. ! was left alone.
CHAPTER XIII.