El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1899-11-11
IN HIS STEPS.
@@7nllat T1nulH
Jrsus 10 2"
By Charles M. Sheldon.
Coptriqhted and published IN book JOHN Dy w
4drdnce Publishing Co. Of Chicago.


tied. She had known Rollin as boy.
and there had been time when they
had used each others first name famil-
iarly. Lately. however. something il
Rachel's manner had put an end to
that. She was used to his direct at
tempts at compliment and was some
times amused by them. Today che hon
-estly wished him anywhere else
''Do you ever think Of me. Miss
Winslowr" asked RoIlin after pause
''Oh. yes, quite ofteni" said Rachel
With a smile.
''Are you thinking of me nowr
Eyes. that is-yes. am"
-'Whatf''
EDO you want me to be absolutely
4ruthful7'
''Of COURSE"
."Then 1 was thinking that wished
you were not here.
Rollin bit his lip and looked gloomy.
Rachel had not spoken anything as he
wished.
''Now. look here. Rachel-oh. know
that's forbidden, but I've got to speak
some time-you know how feel What
makes you treat me so hardf You used
10 like me little. you know.
"Did II Of course we used to get on
very well as boy and girl. but we are
older now.
Rachel still spoke in the light. easy
way she had used since her first annoy
ence at seeing him. She was still some
what preoccupied with her plan. which
mad been disturbed by Rollins appear
ance
They walked along in silence little
vev The avenue was full of people.
Among the persons passing was Jasper
Chase He saw Rachel and Rollin and
bowed as he went by. Rollin was
watching Rachel closely.
81 wish l were Jasper Chase. Maybe
I'd stand some show them" he said
moodily.
Rachel colored in spite of herself.
Shedid not say anything and quickened
her pace little. Rollin seemed deter
mined to say something. and Rachel
seemed helpless to prevent him After
all, she thought, he might as well know
the truth one time as another.
lyon know well enough. Rachel.
how feel toward you. Isn't there any
hopper 1 could make you happy. I've
loved you a good many years.
-'Why, how old do you think am p
broke in Rachel. with nervous laugh
She was shaken out of her usual pOise
of manner.
ssYou know what mean" went on
Rollin doggedly. "and you have no
right to laugh at me just because
want you to marry NE.
s'I'm not, but it is useless for you to
peak-Rollin, said Rachel after a lit
tie hesitation and then using his name
in such frank, simple way that he
could attach 10 meaning to it beyond
the familiarity Of the family acquaint-
ance 1T is impossible" She was still
q little agitated by the fact of receiving
a PROPOSAL of marriage on the avenue.
but the noise Oh the street and side
walk made the conversation as private
as if they were in the house.
"Would you-that is-do you think
if you gave me time 1 would
..Noi'' said Rachel. She spoke firm
". Perhaps. she thought afterward. al
though she did not mean to- she spoke
harshly.
They walked on for some time with
out a word They were nearing Rachel's
home, and she was anxious to end the
scene.
AS they turned off the avenue into
one of the quiet streets Rollin spoke
suddenly and with moro manliress than
he had yet shown. There was a distinct
note of dignity in his voice that was
new to Rachel
..Miss Winslow, ask you to be my
wife. Is there any hope for me that you
will ever consent?''
''None in the least. Rachel spoke
decidedly.
.eWili you tell me why2" Ee asked
the question as if he had a right to 6
truthful answer.
81 do not feel toward You as a WON
an ought to feel toward the man sh'
ought to marry"
f.In other words, you do not love
met"
81 do not. and cannot.
'Why2'' That was another question
and Rachel was a little surprised thai
he should ask it.
..Because''- She hesitated for feal
she might say too much in an attemp
to speak the exact truth
.dTeIl me just why. You can't hur
me more than you have done already.
seWell, don't and can't love you
because you have no purpose in life.
What do YOU ever do to make the world
better? You spend your time in clut
life, in amusements, in travel, in lux
ury. What is there in such a life to at
tract a woman2
mot much. 1 guess, said Rollin.
with little laugh. "Stin. l don
know that 1 am any worse than the
rest of the men around me. I'm not 81
bad as some. Glad to know your rea
son"
He suddenly stopped. took off his hat
bowed gravelv and turned back. Rache