Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1900-06-27

you please play 1t again?"
Dorothy looked surprised at the alb
rupt change, but without word went
to the piano and began. Kirk knew
enough about music to know that she
played we'll, better than any one he
had ever heard.
When she finished. she turned about
and said: "You will hear some good
music while you are abroad, Mr.. Kirk.
The Germans, especially, furnish the
people with the very best music in the
parks and gardens at very small
price"
She suddenly colored deeply as she
thought he might imply that she was
thinking Of his poverty, of his inability
to hear expensive music in expensive
places. If he thought Of 1t, he made
no sign that she noticed. But he said:
II shall never hear any better music
than l have heard tonight"
The minute he had said 1t he felt the
same timldity seize him that came over
him the evening before. But 1t passed
away quickly, and, to his relief, he felt
q certain inward strength and indomi-
table courage fill him. Dorothy was at
first amused at the compliment; then
she was suddenly excited by 1t. Kirk
was as simple hearted as child. He
had revealed his secret In the tone and
manner of bis words. 1t was the last
thing in the world he had expected to
do when he came. But greater and bet
ter and wiser men than Malcom Kirk
have done as he did.
He rose at once and walked straight
over to the fireplace. On the mantel was
q miniature Of Dorothy, painted by q
New York artist, young woman who
was famous for such work.
II have no right"-Kirk spoke with.
out a tremor-"but If l take this and
keep 1t for a year sacredly to guard 1t
from every eye but my own and never
to speak Of 1t and then return 1t when
l come back,
She was &c surprised that her self
possession failed her. Kinks hand
was on the miniature with, mastery
that Dorothy noticed even at that mo-
ment.
"You are not unwilling? make no
claim. have none. simply shall
keep 1t for a year. Perhaps the con-
slant sight of twill prove to me how
hopeless
The man paused and looked straight
at Dorothy. There was something 80
hungry and at the same time 30 unaf-
fected In his look that again Dorothy
was speechless. He took the picture,
and it lay in his great palm a moment
and then his fingers closed slowly over
It. He looked up at her again. She
had turned away and was nervously
tracing lines with her fingers on the
table. "a,
IL have no excuse to offer for what I
have DONE" be said, and there was
that in his voice that made Dorothy
look up. t
~ realize all the distance between
u.s. 1t will do you no harm to let me
have the picture and may do me good"
Dorothy at last found her voice.
II have not let you have it. It seems
to me you have taken 1t anyway"
"You did not say no." replied NAL
com Kirk firmly. Then he paused a. II
waiting an answer. And again she was
silent. he moved toward the hall. II
love you, Dorothy Gilbert" he said,
and he looked almost handsome as he
said 1t. He stood there an instant and
then he was gone, and Dorothy re-
mained like one who has felt some
great emotion, not yet measured. She
had refused to let Francis Raleigh
have the miniature. He had begged
for 1t. He also was going abroad to
finish his studies in art. But when he
asked for the picture she had told him
no, and he had gone away without q
definite answer to his petition that she