The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1899-08-08

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understood, and there had been no need
Of those uncivil terms which lately had
pressed themselves forward to the tip
of his tongue 80 rudely.
II think I'd better not try to have
anything more to do with politics, she
said. "I-Fm too ignorant. There
was little break in her tones. Dyer
glanced at her sharply and apprehen-
sively. Now that his story was ended,
his enthusiasm died away. He expected
abuse now. Well, he would bear it
She was entitled to relieve her mind
"What fool I've been How you
must have been laughing at meat my
poor prince and mer' She looked across
at him. smiling family He sat. twist
ing his hat in his hands. Then she turn
ed her eyes toward the fireplace. Byers
had nothing to say he was wondering
whether he might 60 now. CHANGING at
her for permission. he saw that her
clear bright eyes had grown dim pres
emily tear formed and rolled down her
cheek Then she began to sob. softly at
first. presently with growing and rising
passion. She seemed quite forgetful Of
him, needless Of what he thought and Of
how she looked Allthat was in her, the
pang OF her dead hopes, the woe for her
poor prince, the bitter shame Of her own
crushed pride and helpless folly, came
cut in her sobs as she abandoned herself
to weeping. Byers sat by, listening al
ways-loohng sometimes. He tried to
defend himself to himself. Was it de-
cent of her. was it becoming, wasn't 1t
characteristic of the lack Of self control
and self respect that marks the sort Of
woman she wass 1t might be open to
all these reproaches She seemed not to
care; she cried on. He could not help
looking at her now. At last she saw
him looking, and with apology or irri-
tation. he could not tell-she turned
sideways and hid her face in the cush-
ions Of the sofa Byers rose slowly. al
most unsteadily, to his feet. My God!'
he whispered to himself. as he stood for
moment and looked at her. Then he
walked over to where she lay. her head
buried in the cushions
lit doesn't make all that difference
to you" he said roughly. You
wouldn I have gone with him.
She turned her face to him for mo-
ment. She did not look her best; how
could shef But Mr.. Byers did not NO
tice that.
II love him. and wanted to do it. .
Byers had wanted to do it. too, and
hp1 al Dirt 10
desire there had been no alloy Of love-;
it was all true metal. true metal Of SELF
he stood over her for minute without
speaking. A strange feeling seized him
then; he had felt Il once before with
regard to this woman.
IF il had been for You, I'd have
blanked the money and gone ahead. ;"
he blurted out In an indistinct. impetu-
ous utterance
Again she looked up. There was no
surprise, no resentment. in her face.
only q heartbreaking plaintivenesa
"Oh, why couldn't you be honest with
met" she moaned. But she stopped sob
bling and sat straight on the sofa again.
"You II think me still more of fool
for doing this" she said.
Was the abuse never comings Mr.
Byers began to long for it. If he were
abused enough. he thought that he
might be able to find something to say
for himself
lyon think that because
live as do l know the world. and
and so on. don't bit. It doesn I fol-
low really. you know. Fancy mythink-
ing l could do anything for Julianl
What do l know of businessl Well
you'v told me nowl"
''If it had been for you, I'd have
risked it, and gone ahead. :" said Byers
again.
81 don't know what you mean by
that. she murmured vaguely. Byers
did not try to describe to her the odd.
strong impulse which had inspired his
speech. 81 must go and tell the prince
about it. I" she said
"What are you going to dor" he de-
manded
"Dof What Is there to do9 Nothing.
suppose What can we dor"
II wish to God I'd-I'd met WON
an like you'll Shall you marry him
nowr
She looked up A faint smile ap-
peared on her face.
Eyes" she said at doesn't matter
now, and he'll like It Yes. I'll marry
him now"
Two visions-cne was Of Mrs Byers
and the babies in Portland place rose
before Byers' thoughts
"He hasn't lost much, them" be
said. "And your You'll be just as
happys''
at was the whole world to me, said
che. and for the last time she put hel
handkerchief to her eyes Then she
slowed it away In her pocket and looked
expectantly at her visitor. Here was the
permission to go
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