The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1903-08-28

| cause Of IT. The kiss Of the youth
burned still In the flesh Of his hand
and 1t travelled along the channels OF
feeling and warmed his heart
Something was cropping In his mind
for recognition. He still stared at Al.
len and took In, with careful scruti.
Milling gaze, the supple lines Of his
tall svelte figure, the curves Of his
long neck, the slender hands and feet
ALLEN" Halbert said, and he got up
and walked close to the youth and
stood near him, his eyes still searching
the boyisb face, ALLEN. want to ask
you question In Gods name, don't
be offended If am wrong But don't
think l am wrong. 1t never occurred
to me before. but l am a blind fool.
and 1t unnerves me. Look at me. Al
len, and answer this: Are you won
| anf'
Allen WINGED and turned farther
away and leaned against a table as If
to steady himself The young face
was scanned with pain. There was a
long silence as Halbert waited for the
other to speak. "You are woman. .
he repeated.
"Yes, am woman" The words
came at last firmly, almost defantly.
like thunder in Halbert's ears. stun
ming him.
my Gods' was all that came from
between the parted. eager lips Of the
other. But this costume why this !
don't understand
Because everybody has a prejudice
against petttcoats In the professions, =
the girl answered, 'Hnd was bound |
would not let that interfere with my
progress Why should | be bound
down. tied like slave, because of q
mere selfish. unreasonable prejudice r
The color burned in her cheeks bril-
liantfy, and Halbert stepped toward
her with a sudden, quick movement.
his arms outstretched, love on his
tongue, In HIS eyes, in his gestures.
The girl stepped away from him as be
would have touched her arm
Mr.. Halbert.y she said, with dig
nifty, II amsyour secretary and in your
rooms and you have discovered that
l am woman Please respect my UNI
happy position, for want you to be
lieve that am neither designing ad-
venturess nor a simpering dolt There
Is another class that you seem to be
unacquaintnd with~-that you do not
seem TO take into consideration" She
looked at him steadily, her eyes burn
ing with determination
Halbert's head sank under the siege
of her look Her speech hurt him; II
crushed him. Yes, he loved this girl:
he understood il now. He had been q
blind self absorbed fool
Girl. don't crush me under your
heel" He had not thought that there
could be Lack of respect where love
dweit
Whine | am your secretary you must
not speak Of love. 1t is an unfair ad-
vantage"
'+Then discharge you this moment, "
cried Haibert, aroused. The girl could
scarcely suppress smile, though she
struggled to be asiamant She turned
and walked quickly toward the door
Come back, girfte. Don't go and
Eeave me 1.-The this You've wound your
self all around my heart with a million
tendriis. can't Let You go now
want you to be my wife. Don't you
love me? You wont go away now
when want you most"
She turned and smiled at him. He
was pleading in ahiect humility,
Don't you love meT he cried out to
hef-ile. HafbePt, the cynto- conquered
well, yes" she called back. ~ think
| do" She was laughing but her kiss
was there on his hand still. He knew.
Then you will go TO Ahyssinia after
all won't you. dear?"
Her laughter still greeted him from a
distance. and he flung himself hack on
the divan and gave himself up to love
dreams such as never before thawed
the chilly exterior of the man who had
fed from pettiooats and hid from them
In smoking rooms for the last 25 years.
Haibert was overcome. In hove like a
schooiboy. his heart fisfttering. buoy
ant. ecstathc. And the kiss was there
ON his hand He carried it to his lips
and drank the honey of the spot where
her own lips had been, Chicago Trib
une