Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1900-07-28
CHAPTER XVII,

CHAPTER XVII.
This evening that followed Jacks con.
fession was not pleasant to jack himself,
nor to Godfrey, nor to Rita. and the days
that followed II were hardly more salts.
factory. Godfrey had scarcely given bis
consent that Mr.. Dallas should speak to
Rita, but yet, II he had not given II,
neither Ind he refused II, and Jack un.
derstood probably that he was left ut
liberty to speak II he pleased; and yet,
day after day went past. and he still
held his peace.
He was In the dining room after lunch
alone with, Rita one day. She had been
sitting working; he had been trying to
read; for half an hour they had neither
Of them uttered word, when ut length
lie threw down his book, and, rising with
q start from a chair, went up to her.
"Now ought to be packing" he said
abruptly. "but can't go and pack till
I've said word to you. And am going
to say something that perhaps may keep
you from ever being the same to me
again; and yet, though I know that. 7
must say II. ! suppose you guess what
Il Ii, Rita? You guess how I've got to
like you?-thOuRh I'm as old as your
father, and though you think me u fool,
dare say, ever to imagine you could
care for me. But, my dear, I've been
thinking Of II this way--just let me tell
you. You have been no sweet and good
to me that can't help thinking you have
q little liking for me In way, and what
! am thinking Is, that we Dallasses are
not very long.lived, and II ! were OF the
HSNe
you would still be a young woman, and
ing that into account, II you could make
up your mind to come to me? My dear
little girl, know I'm asking you to give
your youth to me. and I've no right to do
that-it strikes me horribly that I'm self.
ish altosether-only you've made me care
for you a. never cared for anybody
whole thing may strike you Us ludicrous
-"
But Jack stopped abruptly here, for oil
at once little cry came from Rita.
"Oh, Mr.. ballast" she said. "Oh--oh
don't say such things"
'Such things a. that ! want you to
marry me?" inquired Jack.
NO, not that. At least Oh" cried
Rita tremulously, II could never dare"
'Y0u couldn't dare to marry me! Heav-
en- bless you, my darling" exclaimed
Jack In delight, III you are willing to do
II, what should hinder your"
And then be sat down beside her. and
seeing her hand very near N him. no
yentured after a moment TO take II into
his, and when he found that she submit.
ted to this proceeding his courage began
to rise apace,
"What in tho world shou,d mike Won
saw that Won couidn't dareY II Won are
willing 70 do n. whv shouldn,t Won dnre p"
he repeated.
"Oh. because 7 am mot A." plcndef,
moor little Rito. brcathlessiv. "Evervbodv
would s"v y" Oh" oImo.t with n v.sn
~ don't Inow whs, nan" womb saw" '''
"Rmt I do :" omswersJ Incl conaient,v.
"He says"
ado Won NOM that Won hnvo spoken IN
him and rita onen.J hsr friohtsnsJ
oros u;Jo
.v.. =. . , ..,. l..
.I.,s o. ,'ss, ""'e, a"u wna. ne
says isy'if "a, a pity you are not younger,
Sut ~ sue "Aes " 'aAe you cant oe
"V .ms a.
S..s 'N'"' ""'"'' "o"'0 "c'
'' ..rh: ,,.o., ..w
ne I"era' 'ruth!
"Oh, IL am glad OF that! and Rita
gave sign OF rclief. But all the same, v
she added timidly and trembling, next
moment. u would rather not"
And then she raised wistful look to
jacks face, and suddenly made an effort,
which was quite vain, to take her hand
away.
NOW, what do you mean by telling me
you would rather notT' he said. He
looked rather uncomfortable, as II he
was conscious Of not being at home In
these novel circumstances; and a. for
her, she seemed less ut home In them
even than he.
u mean ! don't think could. IL
shouldn't like IT," she said. very shyly.