The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1899-02-04

veneer of cheap culture. He talked no
more of literature and art. Nor did he
talk Of himself. But he spoke of his
father. and she respected him. He
spoke of his mother ard the little dead
sister. and something like tenderness
began TO soften the respect. She saw
how the pastoral peace of the old place
held his soul. and she wondered how he
could ever have torn himself from il to
'.go into the NANTES" To go TO col
lcge. yes: but Into the mantles," Eu:
this was ore of the things of which he
never spoke.
Her time for holiday was nearly over
before She learned that he wrote verses.
Trembling. and yet happy. he read
them 10 her one golden afternoon in
the orchard. And they were good
verses. They acccntuated her curiosity
as to his choice of Il career. The two
were NOW 80 nearly friends that She
dared to speak her wonder.
Why" she said. you must love the
country in your heart. or YOU could
never write like this: you make dear
little pictures in Your verses. [ can't
think why YOU ever chose to go into
business instead of living here"
He flushed holly. ard began to pull
the dry grasS from the roots of the
apple tree.
Il don't know" he said. Il had no
idea what business meant. ! thought
that in London | should have somt
chance Of meeting intellectual people"
That's 4 hateful phrase" She said.
sharply.
Then I'll change IL" he said. and the
Voice was u voice She had o heard be
fore. Il wanted 10 go 10 London. be
rats, | Thought | had no chance here OF
meeting ynU-Oh. Of course | don't
mean Mis- Mabel iiC>cCmmoE: bur YOU
don't suppose l have never dreamed OF
= woman like You. u Woman who knows
al tx hing I want 10 know. and
never had the chaucc 10 know a woman
| could worship. a. | worShipyoa III!
>co~nful lady
His voice was marc. defiant. and her
eyes were hard and scornful. She was
very angry.
And so you though; you would NEE;
ne. o. my like. among the young ladies
who serve in the martIr>. Thank
you.
You aren't Il >nob. really" he said.
quietly. Please don't talk IikS one
just to annoy me.
1t was hard hitting the gloves OH
on both sides. Each drew Il long
breath. rhe level shadows OF the tree
trunks lay thick and black across til,
orchard grass.
You despisc me. he said: don't try
To make me Gespisr You. Not that you
could. | know you better than you
know yourself. How could know what
chance there WIS for me in London? |
have found YOU. and found YOU here.
II | had gOn" TO cOllcge-if my father
had not sown wheat that year | should
ne yoUr social equal. and Il geuticman.'
You have Il great deal If faith IN Ok
ford" she said. with cold malice.
You'll onI, he sorry afterwards. he
said. why hit a man WHEN he's down?
l love you from your head 10 your feet.
| love your Voice and your dear brown
eyes. and that smile Of yours. | love
yoU. body. sou and spirit: but IIn rot
worthy to tell YOU so. Forgive me and
forget it. 1t WAS for you | wanted TO
90 To college. for You | went to Len
don. | WIS a fool. bat it wa> for you.
because | have dreamed Of yen all my
life. Nov I've told YOU. ard ~, all
U.er.
What ar, you going To do: Shalt
you 20 back 10 London" Her voice
wa> low and lot quite steady.
No. I've had enough of that. iShaiI
stay hep and help my father 10 wor!.
the farm. Yes. | shall have books
know YOU despisc them. but that's be-
cause Nou have got all YOU want out
of them. | shall help to farm the land
and lock after my mother. and read aud
try t" forget YOU"
lie had risen and stood looking down
al her. She ruse. too. They stood look
ing al each other. He was no longer a
hoy in her Y t. he wHs Il UIL ard
her master. She perceived now how the
atfcctatioT> that had ANNOYED her were
part of the man. but merely til"
trappings he had put oH-foo!islIy.
put nr-tn gain her approval.
She thought of his life. alone al the
farm. She thought of her life. alone in
the crowded high school. She raised
her eyes To his. and her eyes were full
of tears.
Don't he unhappy about me-, he
said. eagerly. Il ought never to have
told YOU. and it is not so hard really
~ if | had never known you. for then
! could never have settled down here.
! really belong. and have done
,ny plain duty. / should have Wall
fcrcG all over the world looking for
YOU. Now | shall have the memory
Of You to keep me company. and a
To what | ought IL have done long ago.
ard What | should have wanted to DO
for wanting to find you. You are
to br unhappy ann not: | am
Her tears brimmcd over and fell.
then. WAS the nature he had
thought TOO poor 20 show her: this the
soul he had covered up with borrowed
~plunIeS.
Forgive me" he said. again. Il