Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1916-01-06
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A IL[ OF CIVIL STpITT I.
6cRANDALL PARRISH II
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mo. the one is all. You really be-
lieved those who attacked IN were
Cowan's men!"
i had no other thought, Miss No
reen."
Then your proposal was merely
made In the hope Of thus protecting
me from insult?"
THAT was my sole thought ut the
time." replied soberly. TT was q
desperate chance. yet 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 1t must all be to
you. But you must believe me .
gentleman. l would never have spo-
ken one word; never have made any
claim upon you. Miss Noreen. I real
lie that 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. 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 l 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-youl
wife was the only excuse could urge
for such disloyalty."
And now you are sorry?"
lido not know" hesitatingly. g
cannot decide. Where do you take
met"
"Noreen," said soberly, struggling
to keep my head from touching hel
own, where 1t rested on the grass, Il
Is too late now to 60 back; to thinl
of going back. We cannot deny o.
conceal our marriage. since you hav'
openly acknowledged 1t, 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 them"
"You must trust my honor. my dis
erection. We are friends. you say. an
! mean to prove worthy. My order
will take me to Richmond; have yo
either friends or relatives there!"
81 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
Join my mother; she il in North Care
lima, out of the track Of armies. Yo
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 IL
volved by the war; the impossibilit
of your venturing to return to Gree
} Briar until the conflict Is over"
She was silent long while, her eye
cast down, her breathing noticeabl
rapid. waited, not knowing wins
else to add, and was about to propos
her lying down. when she spoke SUI
denly:
"You mean our-our separation"
Certainly. That can be easily a
ranged as soon as the courts are aga
in session. Possibly the ceremony VIZ
not even legal without witnesses. bu
under the circumstances. 1t had bett'
be dissolved In court Such actie
would remove all doubt from 20,
mind"
"Yes-I suppose so; you-you mai
It very clear. And that would ha,
to be done in Green Briar ?-the-tl
action for divorced"
"At Lewisburg; not necessarily,
course, but supposed you would rat
err have the facts made known Their
, so that your friends can realize all Il
conditions-the cause, l mean. Pc
sibly you may not need to do this"
Not need! Why?"
"A soldier never knows what q
. other minute means: am a soldier"
t She did not look at me. or NOV
r although thought the hand resting {
the grass trembled.
81 believe | will lie down." she sa
. finally. rs that the place you ha'
:. chosen. beyond those trees?"
a Eyes; let me help you up: the bla
I kets are both yours. ! shall not me-
any"
stood and watched her move aero
= through the mingled shade and 81
" until her slender form finally disa
:. peared behind the screen OF undt
4 growth. Once she had glanced abo'
r pausing as though some thought hi
e occurred suddenly. but she did n
Q speak / was left alone.
J, CHAPTER XIII.