Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1901-11-23

noying to hear him speaking cheerful
~ of taking back seat.
go on" he insisted: this conun-
drum of yours IS to be handsome and
gallant"
He Isn't at all gallant she inter
posed rather warmly.
Isn't? Oh. then, you have met
him?''
The girl seemed absorbed in the slow
flowing river and made no response.
but when he turned to look at her
he saw that the tips of her ears were
glowing"
See here he said quietly, IF you
have, ! want you to tell me. When
you rejected me last winter I passed
it over because I thought you were
too young to know good thing when
you saw it.
Not at all conceited.''
Connected enough to believe that
my love is deserving of careful con-
sideration. 1 assure you that it has
never been carelessly bestowed. may
not be an ideal man, but my life has
been clean and honest, and 1 have
never neglected anything entrusted to
my care. As my wife you would be
protected and petted, but 1 don't want
you to marry me unless you love me-"
81 should say not"
But / want you to learn to do that
Go to work earnestly and learn TO love
me every bit as much as l love you.
1t will not be an easy task but want
you to put aside all this ideal nonsense
and go honestly to work at it,
Anything else?"
Eyes; when you have done that, ]
expect you to marry me and live for
the rest of your life a happy, content
ed woman
"And suppose 1 fail to fulfill your
expectations?"
He sat so still for a moment that
her resentment began to die away.
Suppose 1 have already fallen in
love with my ideal, how could I put
all that nonsense aside?'
Have you?" he questioned gently.
She nodded slowly.
st hope you will be very happy" he
| said presently, then after waiting q
moment for her to speak, arose and
! walked away to the bank.
/ The girl watched him wistfully as
| he stood with his hands in his peck
cts staring down at the dim, deer
water. Her lips parted once or twice
| but closed again in silence.
WELL he said, turning around with
| a smile, 1--WE must not keep the ideal
| waiting 1 had better take you home
| Someday," he continued. extending q
| hand for Ler assistance, 'fsomeday you
! will introduce him to me, will you
| not?''
The girl put her hand into his and
arose deliberately.
81 think" she said carefully, "that
you know him.
do I?'
81 think so. You are such a. grave
man 1 could scarcely believe that you
/ would neglect the excellent advice that
| Cicero gives. Wasn't it Cicero who
| enlarged SO upon the desirability of
| knowing ones self"
DO you know what you are saying?''
The flush ieaped from the tips of
| her ears to spread over face and neck.
| tain step toward the river only to find
| him in front of her.
did you mean it?'
ct wanted to have another look at
| the river" she explained with engag-
| ing frankness.
| perhaps you did. But you are go
ing to tell me something FIRST
mo; I'm not. Not a thing. I have
| told you too much already"
every we'll, we will have a look at
| the river; but first
| Please she pleaded, drawing back
! against his OBTAINING arm.
He paused with his eyes close tS
| hers.
| Cant you understand how badly
need it,-even If / am not at all gal.
lant?"
Later on they stopped and stared
down at the river but neither of then
saw it.