The daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Ind. Ter. [Okla.]) 1898-1902, 1899-02-15

OF tniHB. am sure you reel IL, 100,
only you think person from Girton
wants this sort OF entertaining. She
doesn't, assure you; she Just wants to
look about and see things happen, see
how the flowers grow, and what the
pigs eat, and how the sheep come into
the fold, and wcnder how the chickens
know when it's time to be fed"
He stood looking at her, still wist-
fully.
You're not angry with me, are your"
he said.
Angry? No, of course not; and you
mustn't be angry with me. 1t was
very badtcmpered of me, because |
know you were only doing ii TO please
me. But you won't any more, will
you? It's not necessary"
what am TO talk about, then?"
IL have an idea" she said, flashing
brilliant smile at him. LET us never
talk at all, unless we have something we
very much want TO say"
He smiled back al her, but his smile
was little sad. Yet he accepted the
new basis of conversation. In the first
day or two their talk lost in bulk, but
IN quality it gained. Then Miss Ros-
common awoke TO the fact that he was
talking as much as ever and she more
han ever before. And now she began
to perceive glimpses of the real man,
of the passionate love of all things
beautiful that had lain beneath his
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 and 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 it to
'igo into the mantles." To go 10 col
lege, yes; but Into the manifest" But
this was one of the things of which be
never spoke.
Her time for holiday was nearly over
before she learned that he wrote verses.
Trembling, and yet happy, he read
them to her one golden afternoon in
the orchard. And they were good
verses. They accentuated her curiosity
as to his choice of a career. The two
were now so 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 hotly, and began to pull
the dry grass from the roots of thn
apple tree.
Il don't know" he said. Il had nc
idea what business meant. l thought
that in London l should have some
chance of meeting intellectual people"
That's a hateful phrase" she said,
sharply.
Then I'll change it," he said, and the
voice was voice she had not heard be-
fore. Il wanted 10 go to London, be-
cause thought had no chance here of
meeting you-Oh, of course | don't
mean Miss Mabel Roscommon but you
don't suppose have never dreamed of
a woman like you, woman who knows
all the things l want to know, and
never had the chance to know; woman
| could worship, as l worship you, my
scornful lady?"
His voice was hard, defiant, and her
eyes were hard and scornful. She was
very angry.
And so you thought you would meet
me, or my like, among the young ladies
who serve in the mantles.' Thank
YOU"
You aren't snob, really" he said,
quietly. please don't talk like one
just to annoy me-"
It was hard hitting-the gloves off
on both sides. Each drew a long
breath. The level shadows of the tree
trunks lay thick and black across the
orchard grass.
you despise me" he said; don't try
to make me despise you. Not that you
could. know you better than you
know yourself. How could know what
chance there was for me in London? |
have found you, and found you here.
If ! had gone to college-if my father
had not sown wheat that year should
be your social equal, and gentleman"
You have great deal of faith in Ok
ford" she said, with cold malice.
You'll only be sorry afterwards" he
said. why hit man when he's down?
love you from your head to your feet.
love your voice and your dear brown