The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1923-12-21

cautious betrayal. he pOunced upon
it at once. Unhappy, are your" he
asked. '"That makes it simpler" He
faced her mockingly. II bet you're
half scared" lie said, "and wishing
you didn't have to go through with It,"
There's something you don't know,
Peter" She could feel her cheeks
burn, under his eager eyes. 'I-have
to marry Guido. We've were to-
gether all night, at Gettysburg"
what of it?"
Radiant relief flashed into AIMS
face. ooh, that is what l tried to
make them see! We were trying to
get away from the battle, Peter, and
we couldn't find the Sanitary commits
sion, and l was too tired to go on,
and we found an empty house.
"You can tell me the story Of your
life some other time, Annie. The thing
to do now is to make up your mind
to throw over this Italian"
"Oh, Peter, you know what did to
Hendricks? / have to marry Count
Avezzana, now l said would. Do you
know what everybody would call me If
1 didn't?-A jilt! And / don't see how
could go on living with the Cort-
landts if / did thing like that, now
they're so pleased with the match y
She began to cry, softly and hopeless
ly.
you don't have to live with the
Cortlandts," Peter said roughly. He
leaned over and put an urgent hand
on her arm. you're coming to Chi
cago to live with me-"
Ann was too startled to reply. She
looked at him in wide-eyed astoniSh-
ment, her last tears trembling on her
cheeks. Peter answered the interro-
CATION in her look.
You don't think / came here just
to talk, do your" he demanded. 81
came to take you back with me, and
am going to do it. Do you know
what this isl" He produced stiff
official-looking paper from his coat
pocket. Ann shook her head, speech
less. Its a marriage license, that's
what 1t is! I've got it all fixed up
with a minister at the Unitarian
church. to marry us this morning"
"But, Peter" Ann expostulated fee
bly,, 81 never heard anythin" so ridicu-
lous in my life! 1 am going to marry
Count Avezzana next Wednesday, at
eight o'clock, in the Catholic cathe-
dral."
"Are you Catholic?"
mot yet, but / will be, Monday"
swell, you can go ahead and be a
Catholic, if you want to, but the we'd
ding is off! Understand that?"
"Why, Peter. I'll have to go through
with it--so late, like this"
Peter frowned at her fiercely. "You
have to do nothing Of the Sort" he
stormed. Suddenly he let go his grasp
on her arm to take hold Of her Shout
ders and pull her toward him with a
pleasant roughness. Then he kissed
her.
"How about it?" he demanded boy
ishly, holding her away from him and
laughing into her perturbed face.
ooh, Peter, I don't know I've got
my trousseau and everything, and
Guido has given me a lot Of things
rings and brooches-and have had a
present from his mother, and a letter
from uncle / think he wishes me
to marry Count Avezzana-Pve been
such trial to him. / couldn't disap-
ppipt him, -
Peters mouth set In straight
severe line. This has nothing to do
with any one in the world except you
and me- he said sternly. 81 guess
you know / love you, all right. l
didn't say anything before because
am so id poor. l thought I'd go
back to Chicago and work like the
devil and make some money before l
tried to tie you up, but you have
rushed me. You belong to me, Annie,
don't you know that?"
A delightfuf peace settled down on
Ann 81 never knew it before this
minute" she sighed happily.
sit will be hard work at first, but
you won't mind that, will you? You're
strong, and you weren't born to all
this luxury. Wen do something out
there before we're through, and well
do it together. Partners! I've got a
little money. Before get through I'll
make rich woman of you. But just
at first, Annie, if it is hard work, you
won't mind?"
Peter, I'd love to work." Ann as
sured him expansively. 81 hate being
a fine lady. But do you think 1t
would be possible for me to marry you