The Cooperstown courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., N.D.) 1902-1913, 1902-07-24

surprise. Il thought you were sas
the hotel" @
'.Did you? And you were going
away without parting word 2" he
said reproachfully.
"What was 1 to do?" she asked,
while an amused smile played about
her mouth. "Was it my duty to look
up all my gentlemen friends and
wish them good-bye?"
"Certainly not" said the man with
a laugh. "But you might have at
at least let one know you were go
ing away and have given him q
chance to call and see you before
you went"
"Why, thought that every one
knew that I was going tonight. I
am sure the matter has not been
kept secret. You, at least, must
have known or you would not have
spoken of it, just now"
eyes, but did not hear of it until
to-day, and then not from you," he
said in tone of reproof. II had
hoped that you might think better
of my offer, that you might, at least,
grant me one more opportunity Of
pleading my suit"
t'What good could come of it?"
she said YEARLY. IT have told you
that I could not accept your offer;
why should we go through the UNI
pleasant scene again?'' ''aE- ''% ~
why. indeed! Do you think that
a mans love can be cast aside like
broken toy? 1t is possible that
you are the heartless coquette that
the people here say you are? Per-
haps, were / Van Hutton with his mill
lions, you might have different an
.swer,"" he went on passionately.
"But the love of poor, struggling
author-what does it matter?'
The girls face burned red and her
voice trembled with Indignation as
she replied, despite her efforts at
self-control.
"Your language is insulting, Mr..
Worden," she said. II am surprised
that you should speak in this man
ner. Your accusations are entirely
unwarranted, for even if I were the
coquette that you say am reported
to be, you certainly would have no
grounds for complaint. And as for
the thought that would look with
more favor upon weather. sutton
you might as well have said that I
would sell myself for so much gold!
The thought is unworthy of the gen.
tleman believed you to be-"
She had unconsciously drawn away
from him and assumed defensive
attitude as she spoke in low, impas-
stoned tones that were more con-
vincing than weightier arguments
would have been to the one who lis
tened.
Forgive me, Miss Hurst" he said,
penitently. Il deserve your con-
tempt for thinking even for mo-
ment that you were other. than a true
woman. I know now that wronged
you in the thought; but was blind
with jealousy and disappointment,
and did not think what I was say
ing"
Il thought it was not your true
self that was speaking" she said,
quietly. IT am glad that I e know
that I was not mistaken in my ppin-
ion of you for want to believe that
I have met at least one true man this
summer; and want you to remem-
Der only my better self not the un-
worthy spirit that may have shown
at times.''
II shall remember you as the best
and truest Of women" he said pas
sionately. ooh, Alice! Are you go.
ing away without one word of en-
enlargement? Sect" holding out
his watch. eve have just ten min-
utes before the train comes. Will.
You not,.say something to give. me
hope in the days to Gomez" 81:
The girl had averted her face that:
he might not.see the wave Of emo.
ton which crossed it, nor the tender;
look in the violet eyes. ri
''Why should I give you any hope:
when it will only bring pain for both
of us in the end?'' she asked gently.
"Why should we prolong this pain
full subject? Would it not be better.
for both to end it all now?" &.
II can't see why it would be, unless
you cannot love me, or-can it be
there is another?"
ssNo, there is no one else; but, Just
think! We have known each other
less than three months, and really
know so little of one another. Then
our lives have been so widely differ.
ent that I fear we are not suited for.
one another. Il have enjoyed this
summer SO much," she went. on be-
fore he could reply. "But now it is
over; must go back to the old life
the life that I hate-and you to your.
writing"
SIS it so very bad-the old life, I
mean?" he asked alphabetically.
''The very worst. Oh, how I hate
to go back to i'll" she said passion
ately.
''Then, why should you? oh, Alice,
why won't you let me provide you
home? You shall have all you desire.
I will"
Foolish mani" she interrupted.