The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1903-08-14

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| touching each table and chair as he
| passed. Once he caught his foot on a
rug and swore, dropping on his knees
| to feel what the obstruction might be.
| Maisie remembered him walking in
the park as though all the earth be-
longed to him, tramping up and down
her studio two months ago and flying
up the gangway of the channel steam
er. The beating of her heart was max
ing her sick, and Dick was coming
nearer, guided by the sound of her
breathing. She put out a hand me-
chemically TO ward him off or to draw
him to herself she did not know which.
1t touched his chest, and he stepped
back as though he had been shot.
Its Maisier' said he, with a dry sob
"What are you doing here?'
81 camel came-to see you-pleaser'
Dicks lips closed firmly.
won't you sit down, then? You see,
| I've had some bother with my eyes,
and
81 know. know. Why didn't you
tell me?'
| 81 couldn't write"
"You might have told Mr.. Torpen-
how"
what has he to do with my af:
fairs?"
"He-he brought me from Vitry-sur
Marne He thought I ought to see
YOU"
ooh. Dick. I'm so sorry! I've come re
tell You. and Let me take you back tC
| your chair"
| Don't. I'm not 3 child. You only dc
that out Of pity. 1 never meant to tell
| now. I'm down and done for Let me
| aloner
He groDed back to his chair, his chest
| laboring as he sat down. Maisie was
| afraid no more.
| 81 slan't!' she said, settling herself
on the arm of the chair. You belong
now, ] ickie, and I've come up all these
| stairs. and-and-and"- Here the
! tears bean, with unromantic snivelins
and mu ping of the cheeks. He was
| trembling under the touch of her hand
on his shoulder, but his face was
| turned away from her. "Dick, you
aren't going to be selfish now I've
come back? Pm SO sorry! Oh I'm SO
| sorry
81 knew that was all. Won't you
| leave me alone? l shall have to suffer
for thi; afterward."
"You wnn'tv' She bent down and
| Whisper n his ear. When the foun-
| tains OF re great deep are broken up,
| there follow rain and miracles. Eyes,
d." she said, flushing crimson. MY
| darling, I do. | don't care. You can
sulk as much as you like and l won't
| be angry. I've been a villain-a wicked
little villain. Shall go down on my
| knees and tell you so? Don't be stupid,
| Dickie. It's no use pretending. You
| know you care for me-"
81 do. God knows dor
"What nonsense, then, pretending to
be selfishw The voice grew unsteady.
"D'you remember the Dover boat?
Take that. then, and be sensible. Oh,
help me, Dick" she whispered. Il
can't make love all by myself"
The unspoken argument clinched all.
and Maisie was in Dicks arms crying
| as though her heart would burst.
flush. dear, hush! What's the use of
worrying? It's all right now" said
Dick, stroking the head on his shoulder.
I'VE did belong, Dick. didn't we? 1t
was my fault-all my fault" Maisie
whimpered. her face hidden.
81 like that fault Be more fault
some''
"'Course you did" She laughed
through her tears. IL had to do all the
all the lovemaking. 1t was horrible!"
1T was only me, what did it matter?
| If 1t had been a strange man you might
have objected And then. again. you
| took me on my blind side"
THAT'S an ugly word, and you aren't
going to use 1t any more"
''But It's true, dear. I'd give every
thing except you to see your face again.
/ But I'm blind"
| Malsie thought for minute till love
| gave her pure reason. That's non
| sense too. Listen, stupid. You said ten
years were nothing. And they weren't.
| We belonged Just the same. Now do
| you remember out on the fats with
the pistol when my hair got into your
| eyes?" Dick caught the click of hair
pins, and Maisie's long locks fell about
his face. You couldn't see now if you
| tried ever so. Let's pretend it's only my
| wig In your eyes for just little longer
| for fifty or sixty years. Fffty's five
times less important than ten. Can't
you see that. darling?" She shook her
head to increase both the darkness and
| the understanding.
| 81 see," said Dick very contentedly.
| ''Oh, It's good to have you back again
| Master
"It's gooder to be back, bad boy"
And they argued that point gravely
with Interruptions, and they discussed
| ways and means also with Interrupt
| tons, and they took no count of time
till Maisie said, Il haven't any clothes.
I haven't eaten anything for years.
haven't anywhere to live except in the
little house, and the caretaker there
will be out, and l must go and be q
party
| whats that, dear%
| ueTe was q IudH ouSC, Sdiu nAe'A
! sic. hairpin between her teeth, "who
was always trying to drag me to a
| registrars Office to be married. He
| told me that one or other of the par
ties must always give notice to the
| registrar. shall buy thick veil and
be that party. Isn't it nice to know
| we've only ourselves to think OFF,
| 81 remember that man." said Dick
| ssI feel that Ought TO be that party"