Dodge City times., 1888-04-12

pe@1Ati-
.'Blt it was because explained McArdle,
intent on his own o5jec'. i a-7prehended it
would be better for the pcesauo for Us to
to conceal
..What have we to conceals'' said Phoebe
''Under the circu-asJ a.s"7r - l.e continued,
growing red as il jast grated We are
both alone in the world, as il we're. And
there are people VINO would say it is un-
suitable but l can not agree with them.
Therefore, said McArdla. with q flourish
of his hand, Il apprcheado1 had better as
sumo that our friendship was bat slight
one.'
81 don't know what you are talking
about" said Phoebe. II you have heard
things against me, 1t would be k nder to
stay away!'
"Ihaps heard things, Miss Phoebe" ac-
knowledged McArdie, mas -.niCI3usly. He
placed his hat on the desk ana steadiad him
self in his position. Prom what this this
brother Thornev Of yours has let drop, and
various circumstances, it appears there are
matters which viii need exr;..l ion betwixt
you and me- But before those matters are
explained. he Eastenei, sil.ncng her. Il
want to express my views and plans. In
spite of the fact that the church win require
me to make a very circu1sDect selection,
and also in spite Of tee fact that know my
cousin Mrs. Holmes viii oppose it, am de-
tei1mined. I epprehond that you under
Stand.'
..No.n said Phoebe. lifting her eyes from
carved slit in kor desk. which some unruly
boy. while sil,iug there il durance, had
turned into an il.. canal Il don't know
what you mean
! Tho r,1uSplaS IF Tt.t r,11n's face aynPesCa1
vexatlon.
''Then l will expl2in. hoped to be more
cordially met by y0U, Miss Phoebe. You
surely feel unhappy and unprotected'
Il can't remember ever feeling other
WISE
But more SO now than at some previous
date. l offer you my protection. We can
be Of mutual assistance. You could still
teach or find sono other congonial occupa-
ton, and l could: assist; ah- il cultivat-
ing your mind. 1t would be best for you to
go away from here, no doubt. | should be
at theological school, anl for the present we
would keep the matter qdiet.''
''What matter quiet:" inquired Phoebe.
''Our- marriage" replied McArdle, wip-
ing his heated face with 8 handkerchief he
had bought with money borrowed from her.
Are you asking 1ac 10 marry you:n
II apprehendCi it would scarcely be
| necessary to explain that he responded,
| with asperity.
''But don't want to marry you.'
''Consider what you are saying" i'm
! pressed McArdlo. 4 know it may seem
strange proposition to you just now"
''It does, said Phoebe.
''But mean it, ald viii take the risks.
Only prudence seems 10 dictate said Nc
Ardle, going over his ground again, that
for the present we keep our own counsel"
II wish you'd go away" said Phoebe,
upon which McArdle stared at her with
startled eyes.
He waited in various uncomfortable atti-
tudes. while she put On her shawl and pre-
pared to fasten the door. Then, stepping
out, he picked his way along by her side,
looking at her occasionally with increasing
chagrin and indigrGJion
Il would Ike 70 know what | am to appre-
hend from the last remark you rade''
Il don't want you to talk 50 to ne.n
''But under the circumstances, surely,
MISS Pnpbe"--
''Under any circumstances"
''You mean to convey = REFUSAL
AS EcArdle tried to ponder the fact his
countenance hardened.
'You'n regret it,
II regret almost every thing which ever
happened to me, said Phoebe 1T would
be new experience if / didn't .'agret this.''
Its very foolish Of yuu," said McArdle,
pityingiy. ''Desida5, you are treating me
with great cruelty. y ou nave engaged
my feelings
''But under the cireGragt2nces, you ap-
prehend it would be Ja.s5H 70 conceal that
matter" flashed out .4zate
McArdle let his low II ,-.lg pendulous,
while his sense o. init crew
Il won't go any Ilruler with YOU" he
said, pausing. II Won go up TO the house
tonight
Goodbye, then" said Phoebe
''You utterly refGsey' neditated Nc
Ardle. ''Who else, do you suppose, will
come out as I have done waiting for expla-
nations to be made = .--... .cl5. -
You seem TO admire your conduct very
much,' she ssld
He keenly glanced at her.
''You are attached to somebody else I
feel it. But il can De nobody but Gurloy"
II said goodbye" said Phoeoa, standing
taller. There was a thrill OF anger III her
voice.
But one moment insisted McArdle. He
took out his handkerchief and wiped one
eye after the other, h2.dEng fold of it over
his finger point ~ A-l you discard me
you are injarlly yuJrg9lf. Poor child! It
will never profit you any to cherish these
other feelirgg.''
'Why did I never dispisc you beforeI'
exclaimed Phoebe, seeming to expand and
blaze. ''How could l feel a protecting
kindness for you and take pleasure in doing
you what little services l couldr'
Il apprehcnd,' ne said, stilly. ssthat you
N "a
forced by an ungenial fate to borrow from
you"
NO." said Phoebe. relenting. 81 never
thought of them. an miserable girl. but
princess enough IL my feelings to make you
welcome to What You have had. Only don't
speak another word to lie tonight" ;" She
turned her back on him and ran toward the
lawn gate.
McArdle stood with his hands in his over
coat pockets until tao air grew dusker
around him
He walked down kill slowly, knowing
how Phoebe must Shrink st tue supper to-
bic, how the c3HstT2llg would drive her up
stairs, and how shocked Ic5. Holmes would
be if she knew Whist Ae had said to Phoebe.
A variety Of sting l,cpa him smarting.
and he occupied SO much ne in his saun-
tcring that it was night before he saw the
lights of Greensburg.
Gurley turneI his mares head toward the
hill road as McArdle passed the Mounds.
They exchanged word, barely dis tinguish-
ing each others faces.
McArdle could picture Gurley's horse
standing by the Holmes hitching-post. But
he could not picture Pa9e5e looking out at it
from her chamber window as she did, and
hesitating to answer the caller demand for
herself
ssOh the wonder r,sIsoa'., ,s-hisnarad