Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1901-02-21

pleasant fortnightg-l raised my eye
brows. ''Of course, l speak only for
myself"
II concede the pleasant" l said,
with a smile that was not intended to
look genuine.
"Do you mean that we haven't shown
most Of our real selves? That we have
just played play?"
"You know we have" said with an
air Of frankness. ut has been great
fun. l really have enjoyed 1t immense
ly. But | am not such practical
actor as you, and l am getting little
tired of pretending" He drew his
breath sharply. 1t occurred to me that
perhaps he really had cared little.
81 do not understand" he said.
Surely you don't mean-you can't
mean-that you have merely been pre-
tending to be good friends with me?"
"0f course not" l said, lightly.
Were excellent friends, hope. But
friendship has certain limits" The
night before he had held my hand ever
so tightly in the dusk. and when we
parted he tried to-he almost-Oh,
well, I'll tell the truth. He kissed me.
"ls it absolutely impossible for
friendship to grow" He touched my
hand, and drew it sharply away.
ut depends upon persons and cir
cumstances, Of course" replied, cold
ly.
"Do you mean" he said. sternly,
that you have no thought for me be-
yond mere friendship? II so, you are
the most heartless-" l drew myself
up stiffly.
Really" said. frigidly. you carry
the way too far, Mr.. Chalmers. There
is a point at which 1t becomes an in
suit"
Insult" He stood up and lowered
over me. INSULT That love you.
That I-oh, | am a fool to tell you'll"
"Foolishness," said, meaningly, "is
pardonable. Some things are not, De-
ceit is one OF them" He looked down
at me for a moment. Then he smiled
wintry smile.
Deceit" he agreed. "is one Of them
do not think | shall ever be deceived
oy woman again.
lie looked so angry that II seemed
to me that perhaps, after all, he had
really fallen in love with me a'little
III WIS wrong wicked, ineHcusable; but
/ was glad, glad, gladl Imust find out,
resoI'eo'
leii me honestly demanded, III
you can drop pretense for once
ou nave no rleht 10 speak TO me
IKE that' ne interrupted furlousiy.
Have ! not? Have you not known
perfectly well, all along, that you would
never, never be anything more TO me
than friendY'
II think" he said, that you are
the lie stopped abruptly. ~ don't
like to say hard things TO n woman,
he stated, after an interval, Then we
were silent.
There was sudden burst Of con.
versation when the game came TO an
end.
"They will be making up another
SET" )" | said. Wont you join them?"
He took quick step to the opening
OF the tent. Then he turned,
"For Gods sake. Eve" he implored
"tell me thatit isn't your real self tn at
is speaking this evening. II you knew
how much cared for you, II YOU un.
derstood-"
81 understand" snld, quietly.
Haven't you down in the bottom OF
your heart Just one little bit OF love
for me? When love you so much-my
dearY
l tried to say mo" but couldn't
clenched my hands fercely and bit
nv lips to keep from CRYING out aloud
Oh, he should never. never knowl AT.
er n few seconds, that seemed an age
the others came to the tent.
"Ah. Miss Eve" said the colonel. "l
knew that YOU were hiding here. but
wouldn't disturb you. Let me intro
duce another Mr.. Robert Chalmers, the
cousin Of our big friend here" / ros,