The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1890-08-07

| looked at the man before her more at
| tentiyelv. Thirty-three or five. Yes,
| that might De his age. She had decided
! that she would ask rs soon as he had
| gone whether his other name was
| Gerald when the question answered it
| self.
Il properly should have had the
| pleasure of meeting you before, and
without coming as far us a village post
| office in Devonshire. Miss Lang,l have
heard Miss Dormer 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
| ". HE has either more command
| over his emotions than most men, "
| thought Marion, ''or he did not care
as much for dear little Millicent as he
ought to have done"
Before the week was out they were
| friends.
And | don't make friends very
| easily either" said Marion. But, You
see, Millicent is bond between us.
.'Are you apologising for having adj
mitted 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. 1t
| was masterful in its own calm. unob-
strusiye way. And Marion, being some
| what masterful herself. resented its
! tacit assumption of power.
"Oh. 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 Miliicent.
| OF course Millicent was the dearest lit
tie creature, but . And then
! Marion deliberately turned her thoughts
| on other things.
Where is Miss Dormsr now?n Kane
asked her one day. You hear from
her, | suppose?''
In France. Yes, / hear from her.
Shall l send her message from you?"
Thanks, yes. | wish you would
present my remembrauces TO her. She
is one of the most charming girls-of
the type-I think | 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 herr,
| self have accounted for:
Il was admring, 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
proposed to Miss Dormer, perhaps?"
Il" began Marion. confused
Il see" he said quietly. Il never
did. l admired her; | saw a great
deal of her. Some friends of mine
and of probably thought that
but no. Much as l 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 Millicenti 1t 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. | should
never have expected such Il girl, brought
up as she has been, to marry Il poor
man, such as | ann
Marion was silent in her turn a mo-
ment and she looked away.
Men are very severe in their judg-
ment of girls situated us Milicent is,
who hesitate to marry in the way you
suggest" she said finally. in a low
voice, 'but it is unjust to them to criti-
sise their course to harshly-"
Kane laughed.
at 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 4
poor man with his career. his way, to
make"
No Her heart was beating fast.
Kane rose and stood looking down at
her.
Il don't believe YOU" he said.
You mayw she cried.
He did not seem to hear. mo. |
do not believe YOU. You are woman.
not pretty doll who needs-pshaw!
How you libel yourself! You don't
even know the capacity for loving that
you have within YOU"
M. 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 au 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. enduringiy in love
with you? | ask you to be my wife.
You are the only woman whom | ever
have asked"
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 4
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"
And who tells you | love you?" She
tried to laugh him to scorn. butit was
4 dismal failure.
kane'S browS contracted as with a
spasm of pain. The motion barely
lasted second.
Perhaps you do not now-but you
will. Don't fight against it. We were
made for each other. You viii see.
can wait. | have been very prema-
ture. Do not turn me away, that is all
| ask. | shall never refer to this again
until you give ME permission. Only
give me chance, And now let us
talk of other things"
This was still early In the summer.
The leaves were beginning to fall