Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1900-11-27

q dlVan md had left the room when
Halbert sank into light sIumber. In
few moments Allen came in, white,
hagsard, limp with anxiety, and stood
there looking at Haibert with startled
pain in his gaze; then. with sudden,
uncomfortable impulse, he kneIt down
beside the divan for moment and,
grasping one of the sufferers hands in
his own, pressed 1t to his lips with a
sob of distress and pain.
HaIbert opened his eyes and turned
To look at him. He was almost too
dumfounded to speaks Allen got up in
confusion, and Halbert kept smiling
and staring ut him In riot of bewil-
dered IDEAS. CROPPING, as he did, in n
man struggling to face some peculiar
situation that his mind refuses to
grasp.
Il trust you Will pardon my intru,
sion," Allen said, standing by VIM
dow and looking out into the night.
''bht they told me you had been seri-
ously hurt, and and-it almost broke
my heart"
Halbert sat up on the edge of the di-
van and, drawing his dressing gown
around him closely, remained there
looking at Allen like one surprised in
half toilet and somewhat nervous be-
cause of It, The kiss of the youth
burned still in the flesh of his hand,
and 1t Travelled along the channels of
feeling and warmed his heart.
Something was cropping IN his mind
for recognition. lie still stared at Al
len and took in. with careful, seruti-
niztng gaze, the supple lines of his
tail, syelte figure, the curves of his
long neck, the slender hands and feet.
ALLEN" Halbert said, and he got up
and walked close to the youth and
stood near him, his eyes still searching
the boyish face, ALLEN. want to ask
you question. In Gods name. don't
be offended If am wrong. But don't
think am wrong, 1t never occurred
to me before. but am blind fool.
nnd it unnerves me. Look ut me, AL
len. and answer this: Are you n wom-
amp
Allen WINGED and turned farther
away and leaned against table as IL
to steady himself. The young face
was scanned with pain. There was
long silence as Halbert waited for the
other to speak. You are n woman
he repeated.
Yes. am a woman" The words
came ut last, firmly. almost deiantly.
like thunder in Halbert's ears, stun
ming him.
my Godw 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 petticoats in the professions"
the girl answered. "and was bound /
would not let that Interfere with my
progress. Why should l be bound
down, tied like slave, because of n
mere selfish. unreasonable prejudiceT
The color burned in her cheeks bril-
liantIy, and Halbert stepped toward
her with sudden, quick movement,
mis- 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.
"AIr. Halbert." she said, with dig
nifty, II am your secretary and in your
rooms. and you have discovered that
l am n woman. Please respect my un-
happy position. for 1 want you to be-
lieve that am neither n designing adj
venturess nor simpering dolt There
is another class that you seem to be
unacquainted with-that you do not
seem to take into consideration" She
looked at him steadily, her eyes burn
ing with determination
Halbert's head sank under the siege
of her look. Her speech hurt him; 1t
crushed him. Yes, he loved this girl;
he understood it now He had been n
blind. self absorbed fool
Girl, don't crush me under your
heel" He had not thought that there
could be lack of respect where love
dwelt,
while am your secretary you must
not speak of love. 1t is an unfair ad-
vantage"
"Then discharge you this moment .
cried Halbert, aroused. The girl could
scarcely suppress n smile. though she
struggled to be adamant. She turned
and walked quickly toward the door.
Come back. grille Don't go and
leave me like this. You've wound your
self all around my heart with million
tendrils. I can't let you go now-I
want you to be my wife. Don't you
love meE You won't go away now
when want you most"
She turned and smiled Mt him. He
was pleading in abject humility.