Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1900-07-20

66 ~ f course" he was saying, ''if
y the question concerned cao edo only "
you | should not ask you for
more than 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,
It Is at best insufficient"
Il might be angry with you for what
you have said" she replied
We'll, yes, but l am willing to run
tt e risk" he said, with short, mirth-
less laugh. 1t had to her ears a little
! pathetic ring, and she turned and look
ed curiously at him.
Does it really hurt you so much,
Dicky?" she asked.
"Ah, Polly" he broke out. roughly,
''you women little know how stinging
even your softest words are sometimes.
And the sting does not always go away
quickly" he AIDED bitterly.
Poor Dick" she said softly, "really
l 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
rades, and now you have spoiled every
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 gravely, 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 Dlcky," she said again, IL ought
to have seen the drift of things. but [
have been unkind | see 1t 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.
should have known that you could new
er have cared for such as /. am I'M
worthy of you, have always felt, but"
he added 81 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 and held
out his hand. Dear little Polly" and
his voice trembled, you were not to
blame. | think had better 90. am
in-good-by. | shall go away for
while. | don't know when l shall re-
turn"
He remained for an instant waiting
for some answer, but none came. He
tried to scan her face, but there was n
haze before his eyes and he could see
only the blurred oval outlines. Her lin
was quiyering, too, and her eyes were
full of tears, yet he did not see them.
Then he turned and walked mechani-
cally toward the door, opened 1t and
went out Of the room.
The other remained standing. look
ing apparently at the floor, but in real
ity saying nothing.
Poor Dicky," she murmured, poor
Dicky," and In her eyes a newer light
still sbone through the tears. Then run
ming swiftly to the door she opened II
and called his name.
The sound Of her voice startled him.
and he turned and looked wonderingly
at her. The haze seemed suddenly to
lift from before him, and he noted for
the FIRST time the little, tear r-stained
face. The new light in her eyes stirred
him strangely. The smile that lowered
around her still quIvering lips tanta-