Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1900-07-10

w the question concerned only
you should not ask you for
more than a simple answer, but | am
involved too deeply myself to be
shelved lightly and feel that ! have
at least an honest right to be answered
more lengthily than by a short NO
However significant that word may be,
tt is at best insufficient"
i might be angry with you for what
you have said" she replied.
Wen, yes, but am willing to run
the r!sk," he said, with short, mirth-
less laugh. 1t had to her ears little
pathetic ring, and she turned and look
ed curiously at him.
Does 1t really hurt you so much,
DicAyY she asked.
"Ah, Polly" he broke out, roughly,
you women little know how singing
even your softest words are sometimes.
And the sting does not always go away
quickly" he AIDED bitterly.
poor Dick" she said softly, really
didn't mean to hurt you so. | didn't
know that you cared so much"
He raised his head and looked at her
eagerly, but he saw only pity, and the
drawn, tense look came again over his
face
Il thought that we were merely good
friends" she continued. Il never
dreamed that you would have been so
foolish. We have been such jolly COM
odac and now, 80, no 80 e,,oiIad a,.orx-
thing. No, don't interrupt me-" she
said quickly. "You need not get angry.
You have, you know well. spoiled all.
we shall never be on really good terms
again. There will always be a CON
straint"
Polly" he interrupted graveiy. do
you know how you are hurting meY"
She turned upon him, startled at his
words. Surely the man sitting opposite
her was not her old Dick.
Forgive me" she said. contritely; 81
was needless, dear" She really pitied
him. yet somehow she hardly knew
how to take him as he appeared now.
Poor Dicky," she said again,'I ought
20 have seen the drift of things, but l
have been unkind. l see it all now, but
you will forgive? 1t was simply unin-
territorial"
Dear Polly" he said, you weren't
to blame. l, not you, was blind. l
should have known that you could new
er have cared for such as l. am I'M
worthy OF you. have always felt. but,
he added. Il chose to dream. | chose to
play with fire, and have got the usual
punishment"
Poor Dicky," she said, softly, and
even as she spoke a look of wondrous
pity came into her eyes. All her former
ideals seemed to totter and To be on the
verge of falling.
The other rose unsteadily aud held
ous his hand. Dear little Polly" and
his voice trembled. you were not to
blame. ! think l had better go. am
u-good-by. l shall go away for a
white. | don't know when l shall re-
lurn."
He remained for an instant waiting
.for some answer. but none came. He
tried 10 sean her face. but there was a
haze before his eyes and he could see
only the blurred oval outlines. Her lin
Tas Quiverng, too, and her eyes were
,un OF tears, yet he did not see them.
rhan he turned and walked mechani.
,allv toward the door, opened it and
went out Of the room.
The other remained standing. look.
ar apparently ut the door, but in real.
~ saying nothing.
..poor Dicky," she murmured. moor
,olrky." aud in her eyes newer light
sf.n shone through the tears. Then run
ring swiftly TO the door she opened it
ana cSlled ais name.
srhe sound of her voice startled him
aud he turned and looked wonderingly
re- her The haze seemed suddenly 10
ifF frosn before him, and he noted for
ne first time the little. tear-stained
ace. The new light in her eyes stirred
alan strangely The smile that lowered
stouad her still Quivering lips tanta.
ixsd him. and at the same time raised
a Wild hope in his breast. lie ran rather
.aan walked to her. grasped her hands
,eurhh, and searched her face eagerly
Neither spoke for few seconds. and
-hen il vas she who broke the strained
silence.
you foolish boy" was all she said
rat Ae understood.