The Bowbells tribune., 1900-05-04


Why"
"Oh because-because you're SO qui-
ct. and steady, and thoughtful. I
know you'd never worry your wife by
being selfish, and cross, and cranky,
like some men do Dear mew-Fanny
shook her head as the weghty subject
struck her in its full force-'I DECLARE
1 don't see how some women put uD
with their husbands at all"
perhaps they love them,' suggested
Laurence. Love teaches patience,
you know"
''It wouldn't teach me patience" an.
swered Fannie, giving her sailor hat
an aggressive little twitch. 1 couldn't
put up with a cross, cranky, worrying
maG-not if I loved him to distrac.
tion.
But if you loved him, he would not
seem cross. cranky and worrying an
swcred Laurence, with his quiet smile.
I'D have eyes and ears said Fon-
ME. quite Indignantly. II could see and
hear what he did and what he said.
Love would never make ME blind
Il think it would" answered Lau-
renee. locking tenderly at the sweet
young face that was so fresh and child
like in its innocence. "Love makes all
of us-the wisest and most far-seeing-
blind as well as deaf. We will not see
we will not hear"
you seem to know all about it. Do
you speak from experience?' asked
Fannie, archly.
Yes was the reply, in low tone
THAT made Fannie repadt of her
thoughtless question. II do speak from
experience. Would you like to hear
my love story, Fannie?"
''Oh. dear, no! That is, I didn't
mean-'
She stopped, blushing and embar-
rassed-she who could support Fent-
ons daring compliments with such
smiling equanimity, who could laugh
at Fenton's most ardent VOWS.
II know that you didn't mean to ask
my confidence" he answers, sadly;
nevertheless. I give it to you freely.
1 do love, have loved for years, one
so bright, so gay, so beautiful, that it
would be folly to ask her to step from
her own sunny sphere and share my
humble lot
why, you are not poor, Laurence"
she said, moved by a sweet, womanly
sympathy at the brave, pathetic resig-
nation of his tone. "Your father is
quite well off, thought"
AYE, we'll off," was his answer;
But only while he lives will 1 profit
by his assistance. My education is all
1 ever will accept from my father.
am a man. and able to work for my
self. All that my father has he. by my
own request, will leave to my sister,
for women are weak, and should be In
dependent Of a world that yields sue
cess only to the strong. have my
own battle to win, my own way to
work. can do it and will"
"And won't she?' Fannie looked up
into the handsome face of the man be-
side her with earnest, friendly inter-
est-"won't, the lady wait for you,
Lauprence? 1t is so good and generous
of YOU to feel this way toward Marian.
1 think she-the young lady, mean
would surely love you better for it."
Love me better?' he echoed, bitter
am rothing-nothing to her!"
"You don't know" said Fannie, en-
COT gingly. Il am sure if she knew
what a fine fellow you are she couldn't
help loving you little, Laurence.
"a little-only little; that is all /
ask he answered, eagerly. "1f she
would only love me little" @
"Girls are so queer, you know, said
the pretty little mentor, conf1dentially.
You don't understand her, perhaps,
Laurence. Perhaps you're too-too
modest and retiring. You mustn't be
afraid other. Just speak right out, and
tell her that you love her with all your
heart. and that you will work for her,
and win her. if she will wait long
enough for you; and then-and then,
even if she says no at first, don't take
it. for you know, Laurence" continued
the little traitress to her sex, 'girls al
ways say no at first, even if they're
dying to say yes"
; "Fsnnie! Fannie!'-the girl started
like a frightened fawn at the new ten
derness in her companion's voice, the
new light in his eye-"are you only
me by your words, or are
you. indeed, blind, blind to the love
that has worshiped you since you were
a laughing, bright-eyed child, the sun
beam, the gladness. the beauty Of my
life. even then-even then? And now
now I take you at your words!
come to you with my future, Of strug-
gle. privatiOn, yet OF hEal-aye. speedy
success. say to you, my darling, my
darling, 1 love you with all my
strength. the fervor, the endurance of a
heart that has loved but once, and can
never love again. love you! Can you
love me little, Fannie-only a very
little?"
IL" Fannie shrank back, and
covered her face with her hands. 'Not
me. Laurence! Oh, you didn't mean
me? Oh, I am so sorry-so very sorry!
l didn't know I didn't think! like
you so much, Laurence. II respect
you so much"
"But you don't love me. under
stand you." he answered, bitterly. II
expected as much, Farnie. am not
disappointed. dear. Only-only-"
He paused; his deep voice shook 50
that he could say no more; the strong
man had been tried even beyond his
strength.
81 am so sorry" repeated Fannie, as
penitently as a child who had just
broken costly vase, and was survey
ing the wreck dolefuly-"I am so sor-
I,,sk 1,o6