Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-03-26

to the room. Whitaker drew q chair
for her and took q seat q little dis
lance away. with Z keen glance aps
praising the change In her condition.
She seemed msaMrably more COM
posed and mistress Of her emotions.
though he had to Judge mostly BY her
voice and manner, * dark was the
room.
"Don't" she cried sharply. "Please
don't look ut me So"
II 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 Z narrow but 4 Won
derfully lucky. escape"
"Ohi . But I'm not glad .
I was desperate"
II mean" he interrupted coolly,
"from Mr.. Morton. The silver lining
Is, you're not married to q black
guard"
"Oh. yes, yesl" she agreed passion
ately.
"And you have youth, health, years
Of life before you'll"
He sighed inaudibly
"You wouldn't say that, II you under.
stood"
"Have you thought Of going homer
Have you written to your father-ex-
plainedr
~ sent him . special delivery three.
days ago, and-and yesterday a tele-
gram. / knew 1t 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 crinEing.
ut hurts sol" she walled !. . .
"what people will think . . . the
shame, the bitter, bitter shame Of
this! I've earned my punishment"
"Oh, I say"
But l have, because-because l
didn't love him. I didn't love him ut
all, and I knew 1t, even though I meant
to marry him. :"
"But, why-in Heavens Manner
Because I vas so lonely and ..
misunderstood and unhappy at home.
nv IuOllCks hGNCk udtAA& ~ e Ahy
sister (she ran away, tool . my
friendships at school discouraged
nothing in life but my father 10 buiiy
me and make cruel fun of me because
I'm not pretty. . That's why !
ran away with 4 man ! didn't love
because I wanted freedom and a 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 I" she ~cried--"over, and
I've. learned my lesson, and I'm dis
graced forever, and ~frlendless and"
"Stop right there!" he checked her
roughly. you're not friendless yet.
and that nullihes all the rest. Be
glad you'vs. had your omanc and
learned your Lesson"
please don't think I'm not grateful
for your kindness" she Interrupted.
"But the disgracs-that cant be blot
ted out r.
"Oh. yes. At can" he inslstsd bluntly.
There's way I know
A glimmering Of that way had only
that instant let 4 little light IN upon
the darkness Of his solicitopS 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. Ill die frst!"
"There mustn't be any more talk.
or even any thought, Of anything like
that. l understand too we'll to ask the
impossible Of you. But there 10 n
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 rat up. following him
with eyes that sought incredulously to
believe.
Have 1 any choice7' she asked.
"Tm desperate enough . I. ;"
"God knows" he said, you'll have
to bem
'.Try me-"
He paused, standing over her.
Desperate enough to marry q man
who's bound to die within six months
and leave you free7 I'm that mans:
the doctors give me six months more
Of life. Will You take my name to
free yourself? Heaven my witness,
you're welcome to It"
"Oh," she b~reathed. aghast, what
are Won savinR7~
I'm proposing marriage" he said
with his quaint, one-sided smile.
"Please listen: I ans to this place
to make \ quick end to my troubles
but I'VE changed my mind about that,
now. What's happened In this room
has made me zee that nobody has
any right to-hasten things. But
mean to leave the CONFERENCE.-The
ly-and let death ind me where It
will. 1 shall leave behind me = name
and a little money, neither Of any on
ceivable use to me. viii you take then.
employ them to make your life what
It was meant to be? It's q little thinl.
but It will make me feel q lot moro
at to 70 out Of this world-tO know
I've left at least one decent act to
mark my memory. There's only this
far-fetched chance-I may live. Its .
million-to-one shot, but you've got to
hoar ~ IN mind But really You can't