Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1900-11-09

man struggling 10 Iace SuiIc peculiar
situation that his mind refuses 10
grasp.
Il trust you viii pardon my intru-
sion" Alien said. standing 10y a win
dow and looking out into the night
..but they told me you had been seri'
ously hurt. and-and-it almost broke
my heart"
Halbert sat up on the edge OF the d.
van and. drawing his dressing gown
around him closely. remained there
looking nj Allen like one surprised In
half toilet and somewhat nervous be-
cause Of IL. The kiss of the youth
burned still In the flesh Of his hand.
and IL Travelled along the channels OF
feeling and warmed his heart.
Something was cropping In his mind
for recognition. He still stared At Al
len and took I'm. with careful, scruti-
MIXING gaze. the supple lines of his
tall. svelte figure. the curves Of his
long neck. the slender hands and feet.
Allen" Halbert said, and he got up
and walked close 10 the youth ana
stood near him. his eyes still searching
the boyiSh face. ALLEN. | want to ask
You a question. In Gods name. don't
be- offended If | am wrong. But | don't
think | am wrong. Ii never occurred
TO me before. but | am blind fool,
and il unnerves me. Look at me. Al
/ len. and answer this: Are you wom-
| an:'
/ Allen WINGED and turned farther
away and leaned against table as II
/ 10 steady himself. The young face
/ was scanned with pain. There was a
/ long silence as Halbert waited for the
/ other to speak. You are woman
| he repeated.
Yes. am woman" The words
came at last. firmly. almost defiantly,
/ like thunder in Halbert's ears, stun
ming him.
MY Cod was all that came from
between the parted, eager lips of the
other But this costume-why this!
| don't understand"
Because everybody has n prejudice
against pctticoats in the professions,
the girl answered, and | was bound |
would not let that interfere with my
progress. Why should | be bound
down. tied like slave. because Of a
mere selfish. unreasonable prejudiceT'
The color burned in her cheeks bril-.
liantly. and Halbert stepped toward
her with IA sudden, quick movement
his arms Outstretched love on his
tongue. in his eyes. in his gestures.
The girl stepped away from him as he
would have touched her arm.
"Mr. IIalbert." she said. with dig
nifty. II am your secretary and in your
rooms and you have discovered tina,
am woman. Please respect my un
happy position. for | want YOU to be
lieve that am neither designing al
ventures nor Il simperng dolt. There
is another class that You seem to bt
unacquainted with-that you do moi
seem TO take into consideration" Sh,
looked at him steadily. her eyes burn
ing with determination.
Ualbcrt'S head sank under the siege
OF her look Her speech hurt him: 4
crushed him. Yes he loved this girl
he understood II now. He had been {
blind. self absorbed fool
Girl, don't crush me under YOU
heel" He had not thought that Their,
could be lack of respect where low,
dwelt.
while am your secretary you mus
not speak of love. Ii is an unfair ad
vantage"
"Then | discharge you tr,S moment.
cried IIalbert. aroused. " he gill coul'
scarcely suppress a smile. though sh
struggled to be adamalt. Sine t,..net
and walked quickly toward the door.
"COme back, grille. Don't 20 an,
leave me like this. You've wound rour
tendrilS. | can't let you 20 now
want you to be my wife. Don't 20,
love me? You won't 20 away nov
when | want you most"
She turned and smiled at him. II
was pleading in AFFECT humility
Don't you love meT' he cried out L
her-hc, Halbert, the cynic--con luered
well, yes she called back. Il thinl
l do" She was laughing. but her kis
was there on his hand still. He knew
! "Thcn you will 20 to Abyssinia afte
all. won't you. dear?'
Her laughter still greeted him from
} distance. and he flung himself back o.
the dvan and gave himself UP to low
/ dreams such as never before thawe
: the chilly exterior of the man who la
Ned from petticoats and hid from ther
in smoking rooms for the last % year,
Halbert was overcome, in love like
schoolboy, his heart tluttering, buoy
, ant. ecstatic. And the kiss was Their
on his hand. He carried it to his lip
and drank the honey of the spot wher
| her own lips had been.-Chcago Tril
une.