“You’re not going alone, Steve.” There was a triumphant note in her voice that thrilled the man through and through. She continued:
“Only this morning––I don’t know why I did it; it seems now like Providence pointing the way––I read in the paper about the rich farm lands in South Dakota that are open for settlement. I thought of you at the time, 246 Steve; how such a life might restore your health; but it seemed so impossible, so impracticable, that I soon forgot about it.
“But––Steve––we can each take up a quarter-section––three hundred and twenty acres, altogether. Think of it! We’ll soon be rich. There you will have just the sort of outdoor life the doctor says you need.”
He looked at her, marvelling.
“Mollie––you don’t mean it––now, when I’m––this way!” He arose, his breath coming quick, a deep blot of red in the centre of each cheek. “It can’t be true when––when you’d never let me say anything before.”
“Yes, Steve, it’s true.”
She was so calm, so self-possessed and withal so determined, that the man was incredulous.
“That you’ll marry me? Say it, Mollie!”
“Yes, I’ll marry you.”
“Mollie!” He took a step forward, then of a sudden, abruptly halted.