The Savannah morning news., 1901-10-29

They were seated apart at dis
.orce Of nearly two feet, the man on
ana stubby, water-worn pile, the maid
IN another; though it is fair to state
~ two left of the wrecked breakwater
-.ere closer together than that. Still
.bo breach was not wet. The man was
frowning thoughtfully; the maid was
catching him covertly from under her
avelashes. Presently he turned to her.
"Weu?" he said interrogatively.
well" she answered, you don't
coon, TO be very conversational this af-
tornoon. If you don't say something
more than that very soon 1 shall go
hack to the cottage"
And cook your little frugal meal on
,.o,,r little oil stove" he added, with a
snsnicion of sarcasm in his voice.
The girl was silent and her face alb
so,utelv impressive under his look.
Helen" he continued, with some
emotion, something seems to have
come between us since yesterday.
What is it? Will you tell me?'
Not now" she answered.
81 think it is my right to know" he
persisted. IF / have offended you in
anv way it must have been uninten-
+ionallv and I would like to have a
chance to Justify myself"
"How lovely the water looks!" she
exclaimed. II would like to sail some
where. Won't you take me out in that
little sailing boat of Gibson's?"
He looked at her reproachfully. You
know that I would like to-" he said,
"and YOU know that 1 cannot afford it.
He charges two dollars an hour for
that boat"
THAT is true. 1 had forgotten" she
said with another sidelong look at him.
There was a minutes pause. Then the
man. jabbing the point of his stick
viciously into the sand, spoke:
Il see how it is. You have repented
already. You don't think, on consid-
Grafton, that you want to tie yourself
I'D to a. poor beggar like me. Well, SIS
q week isn't much when you come to
think of it, and the wife of dry goods
clerk doesn't occupy high social posi-
ton. comparatively speaking. Really.
below that of a school teacher
wouldn't it be?'
Perhaps" she answered, with her
eyes on a distant sail. But l thought
we might have been happy even if we
were poor. We are both young and it
seemed to me that if l became rich
in course of time, you know-that we
would be so much happier in the
thof 1Ua had cared for each
other enough to brave poverty togeth-
er. But see that 1 was mistaken. And
so 8 if you wish your freedom
l give it to you"
The girl looked at him with slight
ly scoEnflu expression. you might
have spared yourself that romantic
little outburst," she said. ut wasn't
i necessary. 1 am not quite as obtuse
as you seem to imagine
What do YOU mean?"
Il mean that it is not very difficult
for person of ordinary intelligence
to see what you are trying to do. You
missal on me. That is very sweet of
you-delicate and considerate. Well.
you may have it that way if you
choose. l will accept the freedom ]
am pining for. Here is your ring
She made a movement to draw it
from her finger, but he stopped her
with a hasty gesture.
Wait a moment before you do that"
he said, with a desperate sort of calm
ness. I'VE win have a clear under
standing at least. 1 am not magnani-
nous enough to allow you to. excuse
yourself to your own conscience. had
no double motive in saying what l did
II is beyond doubt that you have re-
pented"
"Oh, is it?"
Don't be flippant, please. If offer
to release you from your engagement il
Is because I am convinced that you
wish to'be released"
You choose to assume that do"
Your manner, your attitude towards
me yesterday and to-day would indi-
cate that I had reason"