Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1920-01-09

"Will You Marry Me?"
You might think yourself compromised
to such an extent that even my humble
person would prove some sort Of an
amend. It's a great relief to know
that l overestimated the situation all
around"
Andrea realized that the false start
had thrown her out of the normal
stride of the game and she was ready
to clutch at a straw "Why, l hadn't
thought Of that-I mean, I'd forgotten
it somehow-but I do feel compro-
mised-awfully. She looked hopeful
ly at his set face
"No need to-" said Trevor briskly.
I've got these three missionary chaps
here for witnesses to the fact that we
went up in perfectly good faith, that l
was forced to a bad landing and got
fearfully cut up and burned and that
was only just backing out of deaths
door when they turned up and found
you intact"
"Why, White Manr' exclaimed An
drea, chow could you get them to tell
that awful lie?"
easily" answered Trevor promptly.
"They wouldn't know it was lie. You
see, these missionary chaps will still
believe a native; they can't afford to
concede the immutable fact that
black consistently makes only one
constant effort in his life-an effort to
give always the answer that he thinks
it will please you most to hear. Why,
l don't even have to fix it up with my
people. You'd believe the lie yourself
if you could understand half they will
say"
Andrea's lips dropped and she shook
her head. NO" she said slowly. mo,
1 wouldn't" She was sitting with her
elbows on the table, her cheek against
the back of her clasped hands and her
eyes following the white mans nervous
movements with a sort of wounded
wonder.
$50, you see, we can fix it" he con-
Guided. These clergymen are the
only people in this back country that l
could have trusted you with and who
viii strike just the right family note
in your precious world-of- the-things-
't-done-you-know. 1 have
worked my best for you. I've made
them come a hundred miles through
country they have always thought i'm
passable'
Andrea sat back and let her hands
fan TO her lap; for a moment she
bowed her head AID looked down at |
them. then she raised her gaze to his |
face. Her Own, while it had been half |
hidden, had suddenly lost it's look of /
exuberant youth. 1t was so pale that /
her eyes seemed too large for it. They
dimmed its outlines.
white Man." she said, "do you
mean it,"
Mean what?"
I have seen you kill beasts and
men, said Andrea, "but even so, I
couldn't have believed it of you" Her
voice grew dulled, like water running
over silken moss. 81 couldn't have be-
leVed that you would hurt me sol"
She cast her arms out across tbe table
md dropped her face upon them.
win a self-accusing cry, Trevor
prahg to her, picked her up and car
led her to the couch. She Law in his
rms without resisting; her body had
urrendered to laxity that let him
lie furs under her head and arrange
er ilihbs as he would. She was list
IS 100 tired TO fight; too broken to
'eep. de knelt beside her and took
9th her hands in his. ''Now that YOU
re no longer an irresponsible child"
SAID, now that your stripped self is
ere TO listen, will tell you how love
)u. The child in you might forget:
le woman never. love you in body .
10 In spirit. ! love you so that am y
ady to stand up and deny freedom. 1 b
We you enough to give you myself and Il
e world-my world of starlit nights
ID silent spaces that I've worshiped
long alone. Yes. / love you enough d
that, and have to, God help me, e
r you are in my heart and | can p
yer, never get you out" II
Andrea looked as If blood were be- r.
transfused into her veins with each q
'rd. She felt her youth coming back pl
IN the sure surge of an advancing OF
e. Her eyes grew bright and then al
shtened white Man /" she gasped
axe me quickly: feel myself grow