Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1902-06-21
CHAPTER V

In the school room next morning, the
two boys having beer driven out and
"Palomita" having left at a whispered re-
quest Allyn sat looking at Miss English
and at a loss how to begin. His far face
was flushed, and his blue eyes troubled.
On the floor by his chair was his SOM
brero and his booted feet We're alternate
ly crossed and spread wide apart. For
the first time in many years he did not
know what to do with his hands The
girl watched him with some amusement,
lazily patient, waiting for what he had
to say. He cleared his throat once or
twice, let his eyes wander about the
room and finally said desperately:
DO you-do you like teaching, Miss
English:'
She broke into peal Of laughter, in
which he joined ruefully why, not es-
pecially," she answered Il like the chill
dren, though. However that is not what
You came to tell me.
NO" he assentcd cheerfully. 1t isn't.
You see I'm placed in peculiar posi-
ton. Miss English. don't want to seem
to he doing anything ,nderhanded, yet |
must speak to you. Tell me-" and here
he frightened considerably, you
wouldn't marry me- would you:'
"Of course not" was the ready re-
Spouse.
Not if | were to ask you in earnestT
Not under any circumstances, at all.
Don't be foolish
Well" said Allyn, that clears things
up a bit. | can't rest under suspicion of
seeking an advantage for myself. OF
course if you couldn't be induced to mar
ry me, I'm out of the running and am
to be considered in the light OF cousin
or something like that
Lois looked at him with puzzled face,
her brows prettily drawn together. her
red lips q little frightened. Now" she
Queried, what are you trying to say?
You are worse than Teddy when he has
been breaking his word to me-"
Just this" her visitor replied, sud
denly taking the bit between his teeth.
Il like you. We became friends when
l brought you here in the ambulance.
We are friends yet, aren't we? We
are? That's right Now, / can't see
my friend deceived, or imposed upon, or
endangered in any way while l stand by
and keep my mouth shut and my hands
still. l believe Maude is going TO ask
you to marry him"
A light, faint as yet, but clear and
growing stronger, began TO break in on
her.
''He asked me last night she said
simply.
"Ah! And you answered him?'
"Nothing-as yet"
Then I'm not too late. | tossed about
a good deal last night thinking of it. You
mustn't say 'Yes'-you mustn't"
Why"
"NOw, look here, Miss English, / can't
rid myself of the idea that this is mean
thing to do, but it must be done. I'd
rather you wouldn't ask me that question
and would take my word for it that the
thing wouldn't do at all; but, since you
have asked it, you have a right to an an
swer and ] won't shrk il. Look on me
as your only near kin in all this wide
country and believe that in what am go
ing to say | am anxious to protect you
from the consequences of n mistake made
through ignorance. | am going to do
something that whips me worse than
was ever fiogged at Elton. | am going
to talk harshly about a man who has
been my companion. il not my friend
The girl pitied him, understood the
struggle through which he was passing
and admired the moral courage that fore
ed him on.
ITO be continual