Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1900-05-11


"But don't seem to remember"
"Nor do I!'
Another silence.
"It's so annoying" he ventured.
at is" she said but quite softly.
$50 horrid for your
$50 tiresome for you," she vas say
ing at the same time.
"Oh, don't mind"
"And, you see. it's-it's nv fathers
room," she added, in an explanatory
manner, so that he could not but feel
that something had been explained. He
would have been glad to have been told
what.
~ suppose we can talkT she said
nervously.
Eyes"
There was long silence. He heard
that she sat down, and he moved close
to her silently.
Il suppose" he began, desperately.
"Ohv' she cried.
"Yes?"
81 didn't think you were so nearw
did l frighten your How he for
bore to call her dearest he did not
know.
"Oh, no."
"ThenT
at startled me. But I think I like
to have you near. It's so dark"
"It is-very dark" He came nearer.
1t was delicious to think she could be
afraid of the dark. He had feared she
was too clever.
'Wnat were you going to say?" she
asked
81 suppose" he said, despair coming
on again, Il suppose there wasn't any
body here tonight who hadn't written
book?'
'Most Of them-several" He fancied
she sighed again. 1t must be boredom
this time, to think Of the brilliant peo-
pie at supper while she was shut up
with him. He fancied that 1t was with
an effort she turned to him and said:
"And when's your book coming outp
She did speak wearily.
"I-I don't know" he stammered.
"You are slow writer, then?"
81 can't even SPELL" he blurted out.
"Oh, | don't know that that makes
any difference"
There was another silence. Then she
appeared to make another effort.
"And you really can't tell me when it
would be of any use putting it on my
list?"
"Oh, how can bear itT His voice
came out of a dream.
She supposed his work had not been
accepted, and reproached herself for
conversational clumsiness. And then
somehow went on to make 1t worse.
"They generally don't mind" she
said.
mind whatW he murmured.
"Being refused"
He felt himself grow burning hot.
Have | been refusedT he STAN
mered.
"You know"
81 didn't dream had dared-I don't
understand. How did you guess what
l."
"Its so usual" she said
He found he was fighting for breath.
"But you mustn't mind" she said
with sudden kindness. "You must be
proud, and say like the others, that it's
gross blindness and prejudice, and that
somebody else will recognize your
merit"
"The-the othersT he stammered
"What others?"
"All those who have been refused"
Hundreds"
"Were-were there many?"
Penwin laid hold hard Of the edge OF
her chair.
But you mustn't mind so much. In
deed, you mustn't. dear Mr.. Penwln.
Everybody begins by being refused
Please don't mind So"
How can helpT he demanded al
most with sob.
She put out ministerlng hand and It
met his cheek, which was bowed down.
There was tear on 1t. He seized the
hand and kissed it, and then, they
neither Of them knew how, he was on
his knees by her side.
Make up to me for it-a little" he
said. ut Is as hard as DEATH"
Her hand was still in both Of his. He
felt subtle change in 1t. 1t qulvered,
and then seemed consciously to sur
render Itself to him. He kissed 1t
again.
after ALL" she said, by and by, In "A