CHAPTER XXV

akeone.Youarenevertorefertomyheartormyliabilitytosuddendeath.Youarenevertourgemetobecareful.Youaretoforget—absolutelyforget—thatI’mnotperfectlyhealthy.Ihavewrittenalettertomymother—hereitis—youaretokeepit.Ihaveexplainedeverythinginit.IfIdropdeadsuddenly—asIlikelywilldo——” “Itwillexoneratemeintheeyesofyourkindredfromthesuspicionofhavingpoisonedyou,”saidBarneywithagrin. “Exactly.”Valancylaughedgaily.“Dearme,I’mgladthisisover.Ithasbeen—abitofanordeal.Yousee,I’mnotinthehabitofgoingaboutaskingmentomarryme.Itissoniceofyounottorefuseme—oroffertobeabrother!” “I’llgotothePorttomorrowandgetalicense.Wecanbemarriedtomorrowevening.Dr.Stalling,Isuppose?” “Heavens,no.”Valancyshuddered.“Besides,hewouldn’tdoit.He’dshakehisforefingeratmeandI’djiltyouatthealtar.No,IwantmyoldMr.Towerstomarryme.” “WillyoumarrymeasIstand?”demandedBarney.Apassingcar,fulloftourists,honkedloudly—itseemedderisively.Valancylookedathim.Bluehomespunshirt,nondescripthat,muddyoveralls.Unshaved! “Yes,”shesaid. Barneyputhishandsoverthegateandtookherlittle,coldonesgentlyinhis. “Valancy,”hesaid,tryingtospeaklightly,“ofcourseI’mnotinlovewithyou—neverthoughtofsuchathingasbeinginlove.But,doyouknow,I’vealwaysthoughtyouwereabitofadear.”