Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-07-31
CHAPTER xvI.-(oontnued.)

CHAPTER XVI.-(Oonttnued.)
He did not look around, but she was
staring at him in establishment, her
blue eyes suddenly alight.
What do you mean? she asked
softly.
He wheeled round upon her. II
mean that I shall never forget you;
that / do not want to forget you. I
should rather have had these two
days of your sweet company, than all
s %y ! "1st'"e in any other companion
"oh!" she breathed. Then, why
m beign die, did y you say what you did about
Il didn't say anything about being
free that I remember. 1t was you
that said that"
II said would set. you free. I
could not, of course. hold you to a
bond you did not want"
But ! did not say I did not want it.
I said 1 would not hold you if you did
not want to stay"
do you NEAR that If o had
known me little-that is, just as
much as you know me now-and had
come In there and found out your mis-
take before 1t was too late, that you
would have wanted to go on with it?"
She waited for his answer breath
lessly.
IF you had known me just as much
as you do now, and had looked up and
seen that 1t was I and not George
Hayne o were marrying, would you
have wanted to go. on and be mar
ried 2" =.
Her cheeks grew rosy and her eyes
confused. $500.
II asked you first" she said, with
Just a flicker of a smile.
He caught the simmer Of light in
her eyes. and came toward her eager
dawning understanding.
Darling" he said, " can go far
Their than o have asked. From the
first minute my eyes rested upon your
face under that mist of white veil I
wished with all my heart that I might
have known you before any other
man had found and won you. When
you turned and looked at me with
a deep sorrow in your eyes, you
pledged me with every fibre Of my
being to fight for you. I was yours
from that instant. And when your lit
tie hand was laid in mine, nv heart
wen out in longing to have it stay
in mine forever. / know now, as |
did not understand then, that the real
reason for my not doing something to
make known my identity al that in
SAS was AOk OCSduSc i was dITAlQ OIL
any Of the things that might happen,
Or any scene I might make, but be-
cause my heart was fighting for the
right to keep what had been given me
U OF h unknown. You are my
wife, by every law Of heaven and
earth. if your heart will but say yes.
l love you, as I lever knew a man
could love, and yet If you do not want
to stay with me I will set you free;
but it is true that 1 should never be
the same. for I am married to you in
my heart, and always shall be. OAR
ing, look up and answer my CUES
ton now"
He stood before her with out
stretched arms, and for answer she
rose and came to him slowly, with
downcast eyes.
Il do not want to be set free" she
said.
Then gently, tenderly, he folded his
arms about her, as if she were too
precious to handle roughly, and laid
his lips upon hers.
1t was the shrill, insistent clane of
the telephone bell that broke in upon
their bliss. For a moment Gordon let
1t ring, but it's merciless clatter was
not to be denied; so. drawing Celia
close within his arm, he made her
come with him to the phone.
To his ANNOYANCE, the naughty
voice of Miss Bentley answered him
from the little black distance Of the
phone. ~ . r.,
His>arm was about Celia, and she
formality.
oh, Miss Bentley! Good morning:
Your message? why no! All! We'll.
have but just come. in"
A pause during which Celia. panic
stricken, handed him the paper on
which she had written Julia's
message.
All! Oh. yes. I have the messag &c.
Yet, it is very kind Of you" he muir
INJURED stiffly, but you will have to
im s%s me- NJ ! h. Ss.l, Smother It is nt tie
ment-" his arm stole closer around
Celia's waist and caught her hand,
holding it with a meaningful pressure.
He smiled, with a grimace toward the
telephone which g%laddened her heart.
Pardon me. I did't hear that he
went on. "oh, give UP my en-
possibly" His voice rang with =
glad. decided force, and he held still
closer the soft fingers in hts hand.
l.. T. Well, I'm sorry you feel that
ing to be d~isasreeable. No. I could
not come tomorrow night either.
I cannot make any plans for
the next few days. I NAV have
to leave town again. Il Is
quite possible I may have to return to
New York.. Yes. business has been
very pressing. I hope you will e
cuse me. I am sorry to disappoint
you. No, of course I didn't do It on
purpose. I shall have some pleasant
news to tell you when I see you again
--or--' with . glance Of deep love at
Celia, perhaps I shall find means to
let. you know Of 1t before I see4you."
The color am and went In tCelia's
/ cheeks She understood NJ 4 q 80