Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-10-23

without coming as lar as Village post
office in Devonshire. Miss Lang have
heard Miss Dormcr speak of you very
often. You were away from town all
last winter, were you not?"
Yes said Marion. He had spoken
of Millicent very quietly and natural
ly. He has either more command
over his emotions than most men,"
thought Marion, cor he did not care
as much for dear little Millicent as he
ought to have done"
Before the week was out they were
friends.
land l don't make friends very
easily either" said Marion. ''But,vou
see, Millicent is bond between u.s.
''Are you apologising for having ad-
nitted me so soon to the privileges of
companionship?n said Gerald Kane, with
his quiet smile.
Marion flushed little. She was not
sure that she always liked his smile. It
was masterful in its own calm, unob-
strusive way. And Marion, being some
what masterful herself, resented it's
tacit assumption of power.
ooh. dear no, | should never think
of apologising. Did Millicent use her.
self to apologize to you for thingS?" she
asked cruelty.
| Kane looked at her.
Il don't know what you mean"
Marion bit her lip. She wondered
as the days went on how he had hap
pened to care especially for MiIlicent.
OF course MilIicent was the dearest lit
| tie creature, but -. And then
Marion deliberately turned her thoughts
on other things.
"Where is Miss Dorm9r now?n Kane
asked her one day. You hear from
her, | supposed"
I'm France. Yes, | hear from her.
Shall | send her message from you?"
Thanks, yes. I wish you would
present my remembrances to her. She
is one of the most charming girls-of
the type-I think I ever met" he
added. placidly.
A moment later, looking round, he
caught an expression in Marion's face
that made him exclaim:
Il wish you would explain to me
once for all in what way you connect
me in your mind with Miss Dormer?"
He looked masterful enough now.
Marion met his challenging glance, then
said with an impulse she could not her
| self have accounted for:
II was admiring, simply, the way in
which you bear your defeat"
She was abashed after she had said
it. Kane was silent moment, then
throwing his arm over the back of his
! chair:
''My defeat? Did you suppose that
| I-proposed to Miss Dormer, perhaps?''
d" began Marion, confused.
Il see, " he said quietly. Il never
did. admired her; | saw great
deal of her. Some friends of mine
and of hers-prob ably thought that I
but no. Much as [ admired Miss
Dormer | did not admire her in that
| way. 1t is strange that lookers-on can
make this distinction. 1t is plain
enough, though, to the interested par
| ties"
Poor Millicent! It has not been
plain enough to her, thought Marion.
NO he continued, land | should not
have proposed to Miss Dormer even
had | had the inclination. | shoald
never have expected such girl, brought
up as she has been, to marry poor
man. such as | am"
|
ment and she looked away.
Men are very severe in their iudg-
ment of girls situated as Millicent is,
who hesitate to marry in the way you
suggest" she said, finally, in low
voice, but it is unjust to them to criti-
sise their course to harshly-"
Kane laughed.
sit is kind of you to defend those
girls, but you know very we'll that you
cannot sympathise with them"
She turned her eyes full upon them.
! You are mistaken. | think as they
do"
You, yourself, would not marry
poor man with his career, his way, to
make"
No" Her heart was beating fast.
Kane rose and stood looking down at
! her.
II don't believe YOU" he said.
You may!' she cried.
He did not seem to hear. No. |
do not believe YOU. You are a woman,
not a pretty doll who needs-pshaw!
! How you libel yourself! You don't
even know the capacity for loving that
you have within YOU"
MIR. Kane"
Again he seemed unaware Of the in
terruption. He seemed to be pursuing,
very rapidly, some train of thought
After all, why should not | speak?"
he said. You are not an ordinary
girl. You can understand. You are
an exception in all things. Why
should | wait what the humdrum ideal
of what is proper would consider the
right length of time before telling you
am desperately, enduringly in love
with you? | ask you to be my wife.
You are the only woman whom | ever
have aSked.n
Marion was standing now as well.
He looked into her white face.
Then you have your answer! Ihave
already given it to you"
And | refuse to give that answer a
second thought. | repeat that YOU do
not know yourself. If you loved a
man you would marry him if he offered
! you crust and cup of cold water
"Ans who tells you | love youp" She
F.! tried to laugh him to scorn. but it was
! 4 dismal failure.
hane's brows contracted as with a
spasm of pain. The motion barely
lasted a second.
perhaps you do not now-but YOU
will. Don't fight against it. We were
made for each other. You will see. I
can wait. | have been very prema-
ture. Do not turn me away. that is all
l ask. | shall never refer to this again
until you give me permission Only
give me q chance! And now let US
talk of other things"