The Dupuyer acantha. [volume] (Dupuyer, Mont.) 1894-1904, 1895-03-23
AN EARLY CALL.

tory after supper; he did not 60 down
on his knees to declare that life would
be nothing to him without her, but he
told her, simply and earnestly, that
she was very dear to him, that he had
always loved her, and that as his wife
it would be his care to guard her
from the worlds rude buffetings. II
think l could make you happy he
said. II am not as clever as some Of
the men you know, but l love you"
ayes she murmured, II know you
love me-yoi have always been good
to me; you must know-you. must see
that l appreciate 1t. 1t touches me to
have you care for mel wish l could
make you understand that l am CRATE
full"
Grateful! But why should you be?
Could I help loving you? Could
know you and not care for you! You
are SO unlike other women, so free
from envy and petty malice. l have
watched you with your girl friends
/ have seen you do many d Kindness
that you thought nobody knew any
thing about. I think it was your
goodness that charmed me first"
She locked up was he really In
r est?
Don't praise me-" she said; "compli-
ments from other men are well
enough, but not from you"
els it a compliment to tell you what
I think? And it seems to me / have
said so little. All! if you could know
what is in my heart-but no doubt"
as she made an impatient movement,
"you have heard all this before-a
twice-told story wearies. What a i
say to win you-yOu who are SO used
to being loved? To another woman
l might speak of my wealth, of all
that l could give her, but not to you"
"You think too we'll Of me-" she
broke in.
mo, Edith; I understand you, and
that is why 1 want you all for mine,
to have and to hold, to love and to
cherish; say that you like me a little,
that you will be my WIFE"
She leaned toward him; the words
| that would send him from her and end
forever the friendship that had be-
come a part of her life were trembling
on her lips, when he, guessing her in
t%ention, perhaps, said hurriedly:
"Somc one is coming - your german
partner, 1 think. Don't answer me
now; later on will do as we'll"
She breathed freely. 1t was natural
for her to postpone unpleasant things
to put off the evil day as long as pos.
sible.
"As you wish, then; will you call to-
morrow
Eyes, in the morning at H." He
bowed and withdrew just as her nex'
partner came hurrying up.
"Thc cotillion Is about to begin, Miss
Alton" he said, taking Manning''
chair, 'but I think we have time fol
a short chat. You don't mind talking
to me for a few minutes, do you"
"Why, no." she answered, for SHE
liked the lad not only for his w SAKE
but because of his friendship with tina
other, whose image was never Ions
absent from her mind.
"By the way he said, as If readin!
her thoughts. 81 got a letter from
Agnew to-day. I thought you nigh
care to hear from him; you Away
seemed such friends" .
EYES," she responded idly. How
he?"
every we'll; but growing homesick
Think Of it? He has been away 81
weeks"
"No doubt he is enjoying himself
"Oh, Carl will always get the bes
out of life; that's his way, you know
Eyes, l know"
The answer was given so carelessly
with such apparent Indifference, tina
he was about to speak, to tell her til
tidings that his letter contained, an
which so far some instinct made hill
withhold, when his hostess appeare
at the doorway.
"Ccme, you two," she called; 9Th
others are waiting for you"
"Dear Mrs. Danton," said the CIR
rising. "Mr. Lane and | are such oil
friends that we sometimes forget ho'
time flies"
"Yor young dissembler," laughed til
older woman; "you know Herbel
Manning was in the conservatory wit
you
A sudden blush stained Edith
cheek-she hated herself for it, it We
40 ant to mislead-but Mrs. Danto
seemed In no way surprised.
"There child don't look frightened
she said. mo one wishes you happ
ness more than l."
"But, Mrs. Danton-"
are ally, Miss Edith" put In Ian
who had been a puzzled and uncor
Portable listener, 81 don't like to hurl
you, but we shall surely be late"
She turned away; after all, what d
it matter; by to. morrow the wor
would know the truth, Mahnning's fa'
would tell the story of his rejectio
AMI {. few hours misconstructit
could harm no ore But late tn
night when she stood in her ow
pretty room, she felt vaguely dissati
fed with herself; she could not p
the feeling from her.
81 have not acted honestly" s.
said aloud. 81 should have answer
him; it was not kind to put him O
it may lead him to hope, he may ha'
misunderstood me-" She was silent
moment, then went on contritel
. "And | do like him. He is the kinde'
truest friend, but love-" She ro
and crossed the room.
When she came back she carried
. photograph, a mans cold clever ia
the face of one who knew the wor
: and perhaps was not on the best teri
: with it.
: But for you" she said, gazing in
+ the unresponsive eyes, 81 had low
: that other man; if you had not sho1
me so clearly that l was dear to yo
I might still care for him, for he Low
me dearly; but it is too late now-t
late to talk of what might have beer
She stopped and laid her lips on t