The state herald., 1902-01-10
THE MAN THAT WASN'T
BY MABEL IRWIN
Copyright. 1901. by
BY MABEL IRWIN

| Copyright. 1901, by
The Woman leaned back among the
silken cushions in the great arm chair
In which she sat and shook her golden
head saucily.
NO" she said, II have never loved"
"And you never want to-" answered
the Man solemnly.
"Yes. 1t must be splendid to have
your whole heart wrapped up in some
one man. To feel that his presence
was your only sunshine, your only ono
great Joy. And when he was cross to
grope in utter darkness. despair and
humiliation, and when he smiled to
feel the gladness and warmth Of Heav-
/ en-"
you have clear ideas for woman
who has never loved.'
Eyes. haven't 1? II 1t wasn't for my
healthy appetite should have been
poet"
Nov, suppose" said the Man, that
you loved some one dearly-as you
said beforehand you were laughed at
and treated like n school boy. though
you knew you were not Indifferent to
the loved one or she would not toler-
ate you. and you knew you had no
very serious rival because every other
man was treated the same. What
would you do?"
Il would go away and forget"
"No, you would not Not as long ss
there was hope"
Yes. would. A person who can
love once can love again."
But suppose"
mo, will not suppose"
Very well. Then we will talk fact.
Why do you treat me so? Why do
you keep me dangling to your chariot
wheels? You are not Indifferent to
me-"
You are useful to me. You run
my errands. You give me ideas for
my work, you-"
rs that all?"
There was deep-toned pathos to the
Mans voice.
you amuse me-"
rs that so?"
you are excellent company"
"And-?"
"a delightful escort"
"In other words, cross between a
yraphophone and watchman."
with a generous piece of faithful
Fido added"
You are heartless.'
IL know It,"
you love me-"
For answer the Woman arose and
pushed aside the Indian seat she had
used for a footstool and raising her
.lasped hands to her head she walked
TO the other end OF the room and
viewed through half-closed eyes an un-
finished painting.
I'm going to put more yellow in
that grass" she said.
The Man did not move his eyes from
her face. He repeated:
you love me-"
The Woman continued to smile. and
returned to her chair.
II know It," the Man continued.
But you are too cold-blooded to tell
me SO. You like to see me suffer; 1t
gratifies your vanity. |? L? Why. I
.an do anything except where you arc
concerned"
60 on" said the Woman. Il love
to hear It. You can never say It too
often"
mo. will never say It again. I
love you. have always loved you
from the time We. first met. n year
ago. You know II. Now. for the last
time. will you be my wife?"
"And II say Mo-"
"You will never see me again"
But ! say it."
you do7"
"Yes."
You will never ind another love
like mine"
II know IT,"
"And yet you throw It away!"
YES"
They sat in silence and looked In
each others eyes. It seemed ages TO
the Man. Merely seconds to the wom-
an. Then the Woman arose and go
Ing TO the back of his chair she wound
her arms around his neck and raised
his head till his eyes met hers.
Don't leave me-" she said. Il would
give my soul to love you. but I can't
II will be 90 hard at first to do with
out you and to get used to some ono
else. Please don't" She broke on
ln . sh far ha h.,, h.a