Morris tribune., 1901-01-05

10th. Tickets and refreshments
$l.O0. Music will be furnished by
the Morris Orchestra.
A Bachelor Goddess.
man Struggling TO race some pecuIlar
situation that his mind refuses to
grasp.
81 trust you will pardon my intru-
sion," Allen said, standing by win
dow and looking out into the night,
''but they told me you had been seri-
ously hurt, and-and-it almost broke
my heart"
Halbert sat up on the edge Of the di-
van and, drawing his dressing gown
around him closely, remained there
looking at Allen like one surprised in
half toilet and somewhat nervous be-
cause of it. The kiss of the youth
burned still in the flesh Of his hand,
and it travelled along the channels Of
feeling and warmed his heart.
Something was cropping in his mind
for recognition. He still stared at Al
len and took in, with careful, scruti-
nizing gaze, the supple lines Of his
tall, svelte figure, the curves Of his
long neck, the slender hands and feet.
"Allen," Halbert said, and he got up
and walked close /. to the youth and
stood near him, his eyes still searching
the boyish face, "Allen, want to ask
you a question. In Gods name, don't
be offended if I am wrong. But don't
think am wrong. It never occurred
to me before, but I am blind fool,
and it iinnerves me. Look at me, Al
len, and answer this: Are you wom-
amp
Allen WINGED and turned farther
away and leaned against table as if
to steady himself. The young face
was scanned with pain. There was a
long silence as Ha1bert waited for the
other. to speak. GU are a woman
he repeated.
Eyes, am woman" The words
came at last, firmly. almost defiantly,
like thunder in Halbert's ears, stun
ming him.
''Mys God!" was all that came from
between the parted, eager lips Of the
other. !'But this costume why this?
I don't understand"
Because everybody has prejudic
against petticoats. in the professions"
the girl answered, land was bound
would not let that interfere with my
progress, Why, should be boun
down, tied like a slave, because Of
mere selfish, unreasonable prejudiceY
- iY, nh n11c hill
liantly., and .Halbert stepped toward
her with a sudden, quick movement
his arms outstretched, love on his
tongue, in his eyes, in his gestures.
The girl stepped away from him as he
would have touched her arm.
"Mr. aHalbert," she said, with dig
nifty, 81 am your secretary and in your
rooms, and you have discovered that
am woman. Please respect my I'M
happy position, for want you to be
lieve that am neither designing ad
ventures nor simpering dolt. There
is another class that you seem to be
unacquainted with--that you do not
seem to take into consideration" She
looked at him steadily, her eyes burn
ing with determination.
Halbert's head sank under the siege
Of her look. Her speech hurt him; it
crushed him. Yes, he loved this girl;
he understood 1t now. BE had been
blind. self absorbed fool
''Girl, don't crush me under your
heel" He had not thought that there
could beclack Of respect where love
dwelt.
while am your secretary you must
not speak Of love. It Is an unfair ad-
vantage"
''Then discharge you this moment"
cried Halbert, aroused. The girl could
scarcely suppress smile, though she
struggled to be adamant She turned
and walked quickly toward the door.
"Come back, grille. Don't go and
leave me like this. You've wound your
self all around my heart with a million
tendrils. can't let you go now-I |
want you to be my wife. Don't you
love me?- You won't go away now
when want you most"
She turned and smiled at him. He |
was pleading in abject humility. |
'Don't you love meY he cried out to |
her-he, Halbert, the cynic conquered!
well, yes" she called back, II think
/ do" She was laughing, but her kiss |
was there on his hand still. He knew.
"Then you will go to Abyssinia after |
ALL won't you, dear%
Her laughter still greeted him from a |
distance, and he flung himself back on |
the divan and gave himself up to love
dreams such as never before thawed |
the chilly exterior of the man who had
fed from petticoats and hid from them
in smoking rooms for the last rs years.
Halbert was overcome, in love like q |
schoolboy, his heart futtering, buoy |
ant, ecstatic. And the kiss as there
on his hand. He carried 1t to his lips
and drank the honey Of the spot where |