Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1900-07-31
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 it were hardly more salts
factory. Godfrey had scarcely given his
consent that Mr. Dallas should speak to
Rita, but yet, if he had not given it,
neither had he refused it, and Jack I'M
liberty to speak if 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 a word, when at length
he threw down his book, and, rising with
a 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 l know that, 1
must say it. | suppose you guess what
it is, Rita? You guess how I've got to
like you? though I'm as old as your
father. and though you think me a fpol,
l dare say. ever to imagine you could
care for me. But, my dear, I've been
thinking of it this way-just let me tell
you. You have been so sweet and good
to me that can't help thinking you have
a little liking for me in way, and what
/ am thinking is, that we Dallasses are
not very long-lived, and if / were off the
&C. Al g.
you would still be a young woman, and
might marry somebody else-and so, tax
ing that into account, if you could make
up your mind to come to me? My dear
little girl, l 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 altogether-only you've made me care
for you as / never cared for anybody
else in my life. and though, perhaps, the
whole thing may strike you as ludicrous
-v
But Jack stopped abruptly here, for all
at once little cry came from Rita.
''Oh, Mr.. Ballast" she said. "Oh-oh
don't say such things"
"Such things as that l want you to
marry me?" inquired Jack.
NO, not that. AT least Oh" cried
Rita tremulously, Il could never dare"
You couldn't dare to marry me! Heav-
en- bless you, my darling" exclaimed
Jack in delight, If you are willing to do
it, what should hinder your"
And then he sat down beside her, and
seeing her hand very near to him, he
ventured after a moment to take it into
his, and when he found that she submit
~ i. e.
TO rise apace.
"What in the world should make you
say that you couldn't dare? If you are
willing to do it, why shouldn't you dare?"
he repeated.
''0h, because l am not fit" pleaded
poor little Rita, breathlessly. Every body
would say so. Oh" almost with gasp,
II don't know what papa would say!"
But 1 do" answered Jack, confidently.
HE says"
DO you mean that you have spoken to
him?" and Rita opened her frightened
eyes wide.
''Yes, of course l have, and what he
says is--'It's pity you are not younger,
but if she likes TO take you it can't be
helped"
Does he? Are you speaking the
truth?" asked Rita, hardly above her
breath,
The literal TRUTH
"0h. II am glad of thatr' and Rita
gave a sigh of relief But all the same"
she added timidly and trembling, next
moment, II would rather not"
And then she raised a 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 not?'' he said. He
looked rather uncomfortable, as if he
was conscious OF not being at home in
these novel circumstances; and as for
her, she seemed less at home in them
even than he.
Il mean l don't think could. IL
shouldn't like it." she said, very shyly.
You couldn't imagine he as your hus-
band, you meau?"
"No,' she said.
But you haten't tried
40" she repeated. in a troubled
way,
well, but want you to try. Ny dear.
unless You do you can't tell"
BUTT seems wrong she said. faint
ly.
''wrong-to care for me? Why? Be
cause YOU don't think l deserve TO be
cared for2''
"0h, no. very emphatically.
'srhen you must explain yourself"
But. OF course. when be told her to ex-
plain herself she did not say word:
sac only sat quite still. with her face
turned away.
well, he exclaimed. resignedly, after
a little silence. If you will really say
nothing more l suppose | must give il
up Must land 80 back 10 my Soli-
tudeg'
oh" she said. Quivering.
Its an awful disappointment to me.
said Jack, with heavy sigh. However,
/ suppose deserved il for supposing that
any girl could care for me-now.'
And then he dropped her hand. and
seemed just about 10 get up from his
seat. when she began 70 cry.
"0h, don't, How can your she sob
bed out reproachfully. when you know
when anybody might know Oh. 70 say
1 couldn't care for you. and she turned
to him. and the poor little forsaken hand
went pitifuilv holding itself out TO him
again. til he took X back and elaSped ii
closer than before.
Then yeU don't mean What zen have
beea sayingg" he asked her, ioyfuliy.
L don't know" she answered, almost
below her breath.
.Wsl bur. you see. I must either 90
ava or else you must make up your
mir Ito have me-"
don't know what To dc" she said
Then let me settle il for you. You