The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-11-13
TWO IN A TOWN
By A. H. LEE

and if your head isn't strong enough for
therapeutics to-day shall 60" -
Independent little thing!" he thought.
Il wonder II she could look appealingi
Confound it, she can look tender enough
over that dachshund downstairs"
Looking up and seeing his eyes closed,
she fancied he had fallen asleep. AS she
turned to watch the feathery flakes strik-
Ing silently against the window pane she
thought: You do not need me- and now
must. go away. Though know I am
no more to you than nurse, would do it
all again-yes and thousand times
more"
Here her voice startled her. what are
you thinking of that brings that tragic
look into your face?"
Am 1 looking tragic?" she replied
after a slight pause. TT must be be-
cause l have known some huge frauds
in the course of my life. but never quite
SO colossal one as you are
than are required that have more inches
thana re required by the army regula.
TONS" ...-
II was not referring to inches-unles.
you measure deceit and hypocrisy by
them. l said 1 would come and read to
you nutil you wer able to use your eyes
again. AS I came this afternoon I saw
you reading, but enter and find the same
old invalid relaxing in a cloud of tobacco
smoke. Samson, what have you to say for
yourself?" 49, ......
Nothing, Delilah. Those clear eyes of
yours have deprived me of my strength
to lie. But if had told you that could
use my eyes it would have been equivalent
to saying that did not want your services
any longer, and this would be lie COM
pared with which the one of which you
nave just accused me is white as the
driven snow
Clever as always at saying the pretty
thing. believe that you have not only
kissed the blarney stone, but carry a piece
of 1t around In your pocket. I am glad
that you no longer need me. Vienna Is
not giving me the thing want in my
work. In day or so am off to la belle
France"
He rose from the couch and strobe to-
ward her. He was only primitive man,
with no thought but of loss and possess
sion, and he caught her up in his arms,
kissing her again and again.
LET me CO." she painted in anger
'And you would leave me with no more
feeling than this? Do you think 1 am
made of stone Don't you know how
love your
"You are hurting me-" she sobbed. "Oh,
how can you how can your
His grasp relaxed, and he let her slip
to the floor. In her expressive face he
read love wounded to the quick, shattered
respect and confidence.
'Don't-don't look at me like that" he
begged.
And this is the honor Of gentleman
and what man calls love?"
His head began to swim with the old
dizziness, and he sank into a chair, bury
ing his face in his hands.
IF he only wouldn't look so wretched."
she thought. Going to him, she dropped
to her knees at his side and drew his
hands from his face to her lips, saying
gently:
? Il know they would never hurt me
knowingly, and you may kiss me now il
you like
He looked stupidity down at her.
Il don't Understand what you mean"
81 mean that love you, that 1 cannot
| bear to see you look like this, and that
| SO long as you want me I will never go
| away from you"
Il am not worthy of it, dearest, and I
have not ev en- the right to speak to you of
love. I am too poor to ask you to marry
| me-"
But I can support myself, and don't
| YOU know the joy it would be to feel that
| could help you? The question is, which
| means the most to you, your pride-and
| totally false pride, too-or my happiness?'
| With reverence he drew her head to his
| shoulder and kissed the tear stained eyes.