Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1916-10-19
There was a brief nausa Of astc

Aoh IiSI anu looh seat niue us
lance away, with a keen glance ap-
praising the change in her condition.
She seemed measurably more COM
posed and mistress of her emotions,
though he had to judge mostly by her
voice and manner, so dark was the
room.
DON'T" she cried sharply. 'Please
don't look at me So"
Il beg your pardon. I didn't mean
to"
Its only-only that you make me
think Of what you must be thinking
about me"
you've had narrow but a Won
derfully lucky escape"
"Oh! But I'm not glad E.
was desperate"
81 mean" he interrupted coolly.
from Mr.. Morton. The silver lining
is, you're not married to a black
guard
ooh, yes, yes!" she agreed passion
ately.
"And you have youth, health, years
of life before your
He sighed inaudibIy .
"You wouldn't say that, if you under
stood"
Have you thought of going home?
Have you written to your father-ex-
plained?"
Il sent him a special delivery three
days ago, and-and yesterday a tele-
gram. knew it wouldn't do any good
but . I told him everything. He
didn't answer. He won't, ever"
She bent forward, elbows on knees,
head and shoulders cringing.
1T hurts so!' she walled E.
what people viii think the
shame, the bitter, bitter shame of
this! I've earned my punishment"
"Oh, say
'But I have, because-because 1
didn't love him. didn't love him at
all, and knew it, even though I meant
to marry him. :"
'But, Why-in Heavens name?
Because I was so lonely and
misunderstood and unhappy at home.
No mother, never daring to see my
sister (she ran away, tOO) my
friendships at school discouraged
nothing in life but my father to bully
me and make cruel fun of me because
I'm not pretty. That's why ]
ran away with man l didn't love
because I wanted freedom and little
happiness"
"Good Lord !" he murmured beneath
his breath, awed by the pitiful, childish
simplicity of her confession and the
deep damnation that had waited upon
her.
$50 it's over!' she cried-"over, and
I've learned my lesson, and I'm dis
graced forever, and friendIess and"
"Stop right there!" he checked her
roughly. you're not friendless yet
and that utilities all the rest. Be
glad you've had your romance and
learned your lesson"
"Please don't think Tn not grateful
for your Kindness" she interrupted.
'But the disgrace-that can't be blot
ted outl"
ION, yes, 1t can," he insisted bluntIy.
There's a way I know
glfmmering of that way had only
that instant let little light in upon
the darkness of his sOlicitOus distress
for her. He rose and began to walk
and think, hands clasped behind him,
trying to make what he had in mind
seem right and reasonable.
"You mean beg my father to take
me back. I'll die frstr'
'There mustn't be any more talk,
or even any thought, of anything like
that. [ understand too well to ask the
impossible of you. But there is one
way out--a perfectly right way-if
you're willing and brave enough to
take a chance-a long chance"
Somehow she seemed to gain hope
Of his tone. She sat up, following him
with eyes that sought incredulously to
believe.
"Have I any choice?" she asked. |
I'm desperate enough :"
"God knows" he said, you'll have
to bel"
''Try me-"
He paused, standing over her.
desperate enough to marry man
who's bound to die within six months
and leave you free? I'm that man:
the doctors give me six months more
Of life. VIII you take my name to
free yourself? Heaven my witness,
you're welcome to it."
"Oh," she breathed, aghast, "What
are you sayingF'
'Tm proposing marriage" he said,
with his quaint, one-sided SMILE
please listen: I came to this place
% make a quick end to my troubles
)ut I've changed my mind about that,
low. What's happened in this room
has made me see that nobody has
my right tO-hasten things. But I
mean to leave the cOuntry-immediate
y-and let death find me where it
will. I shall leave behind me a name
md little money, neither of any con-
.eivable use to me. Will you take them,
,mplOy them to make your life what
was meant to be? It's a little thing,
tut 1t will make me feel a lot more |
it to go out of this world-to know
We left at least one decent act to
mark my memory. There's only this
chance may live It's a
shot, but you've got to
ear it in mind. But really you can't