The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1902-01-31

ter your ruDDer coat on an uncertain
ty," she remarked, wickedly. The color
surged up slowly in his wet cheeks.
''You ought not to be so hard on
Themes" he said with brave attempt
at Indifference. "She was the mother
of Peace and Justice and the Fates."
"And because the sins of the par
ents are visited upon the children, the
virtues Of the children should reflect
upon the parents? But still, my
friend, I must admit small admiration
for your goddess of custom. Her
golden chains are more binding than
any of the iron links forged by Vul-
can"
He was looking at her, but not lis
tening. It was the first time in two
years that she had called him friend.
And she had done it in the old-time,
pleasant way. The tone carried him
back to the comfortable times before
they had quarreled over one of her
reckless invasions against the laws of
custom.
81 don't know" he said, vaguely,
when he realized that it was his turn
to say something. 'I'm not we'll up
on Greek mythology"
'But am talking everyday sense.
[ say that there are more I'M
willing victims dragged at the chariot
wheels of customs to-day than ever
Roman cOnquerors displayed on their
triumphs. There a7e millions of peo-
pie grinding their lives out doing
things they detest merely because it
is customary. You know what I
mean?"
81 wish to the Lord that 1 did"
She looked at him with a touch of
calm disdain, then let her eyes drift
lazily to the drenched landscape. For
an instant she found herself wishing
that it was not quite so pleasant to
have him there. The rain makes his
eyes so much bluer," she reflected.
But that was scarcely a cause for
avoiding their fearless glance.
81 am going to organize an anti
Themes club" she announced "The
members are to pledge themselves to
do whatever they feel like doing, ire
spective of what is customary"
81 will sign the pledge as. soon as
it is written" His voice shook little.
Nan turned to look at him.
"You needn't laugh" she began;
then she faced about suddenly and
quickened her pace.
at is going to rain harder, think"
she remarked, grimly.
NO she returned. 81 saw a CLEAN
on the marsh just now. The sun will
be out in half an hour"
'When are you going to write that
pledge?" he questioned, softly.
"Oh, don't know"
Because 1 am getting a little impa-
tient to sign it."
''Do you find the serene Themes a
tyrant at last? Let me tell you, men
get off easy compared to what women
have to bow down to-"
81 don't know about that. / have
gone around for the last two years
half-dead to break one of her laws, and
not daring to do it,"
Mans eyes measured the marsh.
81 shouldn't imagine it would be
easy to respect a man who was for
ever clinging to the skirts of CUSTOM"
she remarked, impersonally.
Shouldn't your" he echoed, absent
ly. His finger tips were beginning to
tingle. The rain came down afresh,
pattering bris1ly upon the back of their
rubber coats and yelling the marshes
in translucent mists.
Neither should L." he added, after
a long pause. "The serene Themes has
stifled my life too long. BY this sign
1 renOunce my allegiance" His warm,
wet lips caught hers and chung to them.
In an instant Nan was facing him
through three feet of misty rain.
you crazy" she exclaimed.
Don't" ne protested. 81 have only
done what I have been longing to do
day and night for the last two years.
1 have renowned"
eve had better walk on" she cut in,
coolly. "The rain isn't exactly the
proper place for gossiping."
"Ah, but we do not care fig for the
proprieties. Wait, Nan, I take it back!
If you only knew how irresistibl you
were with those rain drops on your
face. Besides, it really is your turn to
be a little loving now. 1 have been
doing it all for the last two years"
'Does that mean that you propose
to rest from your labOrs?"
''You little fraud, you know that it
doesn't. You know that as long as 1
live I shall go on loving you through
and through, even to your rubber coat"
"Oh, for PHYS sake, don't fall in love
with my rubber coat. Recall the sad
fate of those galoshes that got kissed
into holes. 1t would trouble me to
awake some morning to the fact that
nv rubber coat was a wreck"
"Nan," he said, sternly, "does all this
mean that you love me, or that you do
not?"
She turned to con a lesson of candor
from the candid marshes, then she
leaned her head back against him to
meet his eager eyes.
at means that I do" she answered.
honestly.