The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-05-23

"That Mr.. Gable seems fine sor,
of fellow. No end Of talk abou,
him at the clubs. He is the lion Of
the hour, they say"
ooh, we quite claim Mr.. Gable at OH,
house! His every honor is personal
triumph for us"
so good of you to say sol" Raymon
was nothing if not complacent. "He
ought to be very much fiattered!"
queer little look flashed at him
from under the curling dark lashes.
ut is we who are flattered, Mr.. RAY
mon!'
| His laugh was leniency itself.
| The extent of your charity is only
being revealed to me! wonder if /
may-if 1 mlght-plead for mercy for
myself"
They were driving slowly homeward
through the silence, the crispness, the
blueness of perfect February night.
you! What could the gods give you
that you have not?'
He was conscious of the tremor that
went through the slight frame. A
sense of his supremacy shook him. He
had been right then! All his golden
antlclpations were to be realized. Not
that he had doubted for a moment
that any girl in her right mind would
refuse him-Reginald Raymon! His
arm slipped confidently around her
waist
The gods could give me nothing
unless you were theirs to give!"
"Ah!" she said softly. She moved a
little until she was free from his arm.
"You-you are quite sure"
That was just where Raymon's bad
quarter of an hour began.
"Sure-indeed, yes! have not spok-
en- hastily. have given the matter
weighty one as you will admit-due
consideration" He adjusted his
monocle. He wished the coachman
would drive more slowly II recollect
of what l owe to my family, to my
position, to-if I may say SOTO my
self"
YES" sighed a tender voice, Ooh
yes!"
and have made up my mind that
you are the only woman shall marry
you'll"
He could feel again the tremor of
the slender shape near. He put out
a fat little hand. His touch was not
tentative by any means. 1t was de-
termined. There was no false mod
esty about Raymon. In the gloom of
the carriage he almost forgot the
charm, the beauty, the power of the
girl. All these were engulfed in his
own superb condescension-a con-
descenion of which she was aware!
Her choking voice when she spoke
proved that.
"And l have decided it is you-you
whom l have chosen for-my wife!"
You have" How overwhelmed
she was!-"not spoken rashly?"
My mind" he declared heroically,
els irrevocably made up!"
You are sure you will not re-
greet"
He cut short the faltering voice.
your timidity is uncalled for, dear,
never change my mind. When shall
it be?-confound that coachman!"
The carriage door swung back. Ray
mon walked with Miss Marsh up the
steps.
Don't come inf she entreated
sweetly. Il have an engagement. And
I'm very sorry you know-and very
grateful for the honor of course, but
couldn't care for you-that way.
Thank you-ever so much! Take care!
A frost has fallen! The steps are quite
slippery I've had a most enjoyable
evening. -good-night!"
Then, her cheeks scarlet, her lips
apart, and breathing hard she was in
the library-was facing a man who
had risen from his low chair in the
light Of the dying fire.
"Well?" he questioned hoarsely. He
came slowly towards her. well? He
proposed tonight. l knew he would.
Get it over. for Gods sake! When is
it to be? When are you to give your
self-your sweet self-to any mans
arms?"
She went straight towards him. Her
color had suddenly gone. She was
white as the roses she carried And
her cheeks were wet and shining in
the fireshine.
Whenever you will take mel" she
said.