Anthony M. Rud

“ I answered, positive now that I was making perhaps the greatest mistake of my life. “I know that you will think me insane, but I am not. Something has come up that I cannot explain that makes it necessary for me to act most strangely. I have come to ask you to marry me, Elise!” Then, as I saw her eyes widen and the color leave her cheeks, my tongue loosened and I told her of my love. For the life of me I cannot recall the things I said, for I watched her eyes. From fright and wonder they changed to bewilderment, and then—and I despaired—to something akin to anger. ”

“ I replied thoroughly miserable.
“I don't believe you,” she retorted calmly, though I saw the flesh was white beneath her finger nails from her grip upon the chair arm. “You are not the sort of man to ask as unreasonable a thing without some compelling motive. What caused you to come? Will you win a fortune from some relative's will by marrying by to-morrow?”
I winced. “I have told nothing but the truth, Elise,” I said humbly, “though I don't blame you for doubting me.” I saw the flush of anger fading from her cheeks, but she did not speak. ”

“ I am in no danger, real or fancied.” She must just then have read truth in the misery of my expression, for she paled and the mocking note left her voice. “Even if there were some truth in what you say,” she went on, “I would far rather face the danger than run into a marriage to escape it. I really must decline your offer definitely!”
The door swung open, and Charles Latisse stepped to her side. “You must, Elise!” he cried, and his face worked from nervousness and emotion. ”