Perhaps it
was this sense of his helplessness that roused a feeling in Betty
that was new to her.
"You see, Charley, I fear--I am sure I don't love you the way I
should--to marry you--"
Charley, greatly excited, groaned and sat up, and groaned again.
"Oh, please, Charley-lie still!" she entreated.
"That's all right--and you needn't pull your hand away--you like
me better than any one else, you've told me so; well, don't you
see that's the beginning of really loving me?"
"But you wouldn't want to marry me at once?"
"Yes I would--right away--as soon as I am able to stir around!"
said Charley promptly. "Don't you see the immediate necessity
there is of my being in a position to care for you, Betty? I
wasn't served this trick for nothing."
"You must try not to worry, Charley."
"But I shall--I expect it's going to retard my recovery," said
the young man gloomily. "I couldn't be worse off! Here I am
flat on my back; I can't come to you or keep watch over you. Let
me have some hope, dear--let me believe that you will marry me!"
She looked at him pityingly, and with a certain latent tenderness
in her mood.
"Do you really care so much for me, Charley?"
"I love you, Betty!--I want you to say you will marry me as soon
as I can stand by your side--you're not going?--I won't speak of
this again if it annoys you, dear!" for she had risen.
"I must, Charley--"
"Oh, don't--well, then, if you will go, I want Carrington to ride
back with you.
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