Evening star., 1928-05-03

cold cheek was touching hers-how
cold it was Was hers so cold? Final
ly she made out the words-he had
uttered them often enough:
Tell me you love me. Gerane! Tell
me, darling. I-I-Lift your head.
Gerane-and kiss me-"
She relaxed in his embrace, with
long, ecstatic sigh.
Il do-oh. I do love you"
kiss me-" he commanded. a moment
later.
But not out here on the road" she
interrupted, and forthwith struggled to
free herself. 1T is $50 public"
"Public?" he scoTed. Bless your
heart. it's as dark as pitch. Gerane,
darling-Win you be my wife? So that
my home may be your home forever?"
"Oh. wish I could be sure that you
will always want me-" she cried.
queer bleakneSs in her voice
You can be sure. Gerane," he said
simply.
But I am am one Of the robbers
of Droon Forest. You must think long
and well before you"
Il have thought long and WELL said
he. Il want you to be my wife"
My father is a thief and an outlaw
My grandfather was the same"
Il am not asking your father or your
grandfather TO marry me-" he said,
putting his hand to her cheek.
Then, there is something else TO
consider" she persisted You are my
Would l be doing right by my father.
by my own people, If I married you?
Are you forgetting that duty and honor
may demand "a certain thing Of
you?"
You mean"
1T is your duty to hunt down and
perhaps slay nv father-Gavan. He is
the leader of the robbers Of Droon For
est. The hand Of every honest man IS
against him. including yours. You ask
/ me to be your wife. loye ycu-oh,
love you with all my heart-but hoT
| can you expect me to marry you know
| ing that the day may come when y0u
| oh. it is too terrible even to think
| about, Gavan!"
| He was silent for a long time. 81
| may never leave this place" he said AZ
| last. But, If should and you 60 with
| me. Gerane, my hand Will never be
raised against my vife's father"
''What-what would you do?" she
| cried. in wonder.
II have thought it all out / shall
resign from the army and go 70 Eng
/ land to live. But, Gerane. there is one
4
| leave this place alive unless the soldiers
come and conquer II that ever comes
| 20 pass. you viii go away with me, but
| your father viii stay here. There viii
be no need thereafter for me or any
other man 70 hunt him down. Do you
understand"
He expected her to finch and CRY cut
in pain. but she did neither. Instead.
she drew a long breath and said. with
/ surprising calmness:
II do. Gavan- Ny father Will die
fighting them. That IS in the bargain.
/ Every man here viii die fighting. But
/ you are wrong when you say that ] viii
1 20 away with YOU. shall fight along
side my father and when he fa1s-so
shall t.
"Gerane!" he cried. aghast "You
don't mean to tell me you would"
II have made VOW, Gayan," she
said
"That was before came. Things
/ have changed in
$50 now you see why It would be
wrong for me to-to say viii be your
| wife" she interrupted, her voice !oT
| and curiousIy husky.
Listen TO me- he said. rather stern
/ II. his hands on her shoulders. This
| very night shall ask your fathers
consent to our marriage. He may re-
fuse. He may order me shot for Hly
presumption But. II he consents
Gerane, If he Is willing that I should
have you-there s nothing that can
save yea. my dear. Your doom IS
sealed. You win be Mrs Gavan star
court-or, II you prefer it, Lady Star
court. for have that title IN England.
! And shall be very much surprised =
I have TO exercise my suthcrity as yotE
| lord and master and put YOU n chains
/ 10 keep YOU from dying on the aeld c<
| battle. No. on second thought II. after
/ you've been my wife for while. you
/ should come TO me and say YOU think
/ it would be much nicer 20 die On tbs
/ field Of battle than 70 30 on living with
cruel tyrant promise not 20 oppose
| you. Now. nothing could Be fairer than
/ that, VOW
/ Don't be silly" she cried. and pu.
her arms about his neck again.
/ The voices OF men talking In the road
| brought them sharply to earth. He
/ drew her into the STnithy'S she'd Ths
/ crunch Of boots on the frozen snow
/ heralded the approach and then, 4 mo-
ment later. the presence Of three shapes
/ in front OF the shed. They came 70 q
StandStil not 10 feet from the hlaek
corner that sheltered the lovers
Peters voice was easily recognized
CONTINUED In TomorrowS start