The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1902-02-28
A MAN AND A MAID.
ny EDWIN pUGH.


you needn't answer am sure you do. i
can see it in your dear eyes"
Somehow he would have liked her to be
less sure. He was vaguely irritated "Then
I needn't answer, need II" he said
20, yes, sir, you need" she replied.
'Women don't usually like to be told what
they already know, of course, but there is
one thing they are never tired of hear
ing"
''Now we will talk about me-" she said
''And me?" he pleaded.
t'Why, you silly old boy how could we
talk about me without talking about you
as well?" she cried. They sat down on
the sofa side by side. He thought to please
her by putting his arm round her waist.
But she said: "No, dear, please" and he
took it away. Whereat she pouted and ex.
claimed: Don't you want to-"
"Of course do" he cried. What else
could he say?
"Then you may" she crooned 'But only
for one minute"
He replaced his arm, feeling very fool
ish. And it is feeling more destructive
to love in man than any other.
Somehow, sometimes [ think, Staffy,
you-what is the word, dear?-idealise me
too much" she said "You mustn't dear:
am only poor little girl, after ALL
Poor! when l love you'll he cried. At
any cost he must rise to the exigences of
the occasion.
80! how beautiful she murmurel. And
he had his reward.
"And l often fear, said he, chat you
idealise me, too, Clara
She looked at him roguishly. "Don't be
too sure about that, sir, she said. ~ know
my Staffy better, perhaps, than he thinks"
He was greatly displeased. "Indeed'' he
said.
''Now you are cross" she cried.
"Cross" he exclaimed "Why should be
cross?'
'"There's no earthly reason why you should
be, certainly" she said.
Again he betrayed himself. "But there
is a heavenly reason" he said 81 mean you,
Clara" He could not help it.
20! you darling" she cried. "You shall
kiss me for that"
He wondered why she always made a
point of rewarding herself for his good deeds,
but he kissed her.
Again. said she. "No, on this side
this time" If she had added: ''Now, sit up
and beg his humiliation would have been
scarcely more complete.
"Now | come to think of it," said she,
'syou really didn't deserve those kisses
Please return them at once, then"
20! you artful boy No, sir"
But why didn't deserve them?"
81 forget now"
81 don't want to evade any just punish
ment, you know" he said. Next time
do anything meritorious III forego the usual
reward" He laughed.
She gave him little, keen glance. And
he began to think that he knew now why
some married men looked cowed and I'M
happy. MY dear little girl" he said, II
didn't mean anything"
81 hate meaningless remarks" said She
She got up and moved across the room.
He followed her meckly. She fumbled in
the back draperies of her dress, extracted
morse of cambria, and dabbed at her
eyes.
20! my dear Clara, don't. Don't, please"
he said.
He ventured to put his arm about her.
He would not have been surprised had she
repulsed him; but instead, she yielded al
most eagerly to his embrace, and when he
yentured to draw her gently toward him,
she came quickly to hm of her own ac-
cord, and nestled her head On his shoulder.
20! don't hurt me, DEAR she sobbed.
My darling!" he breathed. Her cheeks
were wet, and her lips trembled. 90! my
own little girl, forgive mel"
Then April smile broke through the
gloom of her distressful face. Dear old
boy!" she said, with sob and a laugh.
"And if could ever do that! As if my dear
had not a perfect right to do with me as
he pleases! But, o. love, l should die, 1
should, if you were ever cruel to mel"
He led her back to the sofa: he, king;
she, all limp and docie and womanly! He
had never loved her so much or admired
himself more.
What, he asked himself, had he done to
deserve her? Thank God it was he, and
no less worthy a man, who had won this
trusting heart
He strobe triumphantly home that night,
and burst in upon his friend jim, sitting
with solemn midnight pipe over the crumb-
ling fire.
"Ah! Jim," cried Stafford, cts Won
derful world!"
where have read that?" unused jim.
"Jim," said Stafford, with great gravity,
'syou are my friend"
Guilty" said jim.
ga friend is privileged to say good
deal"
"Well, you're saying it. whats your
SAiCNdHSe: clh liquiiSu.
"But he is not" Stafford continued,
sternly, che is not privileged to say any
thing he likes"
obviously not" said Jim, eff he is a
friend Of yours"
'There is one subject"
81 know there is, and I'm sick of it. Let's
talk about something else"
my heart is SO full tonight" said Stat
ford.
81 suppose something has dropped down
into it out of your head"
Jim, she's perfect"
Eat intervals" Jim reminded him. "a
week ago her sense of humor> was slightly
defective, you sad.'
"Ah! you may laugh" said Stafford.
Thanks, l WILL said jim. And he did.
"Now, old man, you can sail along with a
wet sheet. Fire away!'
81 wonder why she loves me?" Stafford
asked of the silence.
"My dear chap, if you will wear those ex-
pensive ties"