Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1903-04-02

take the irrevocable plunge.
And all the while his eyes were devour.
ing Irene. And Irene's color betrayed
her as plainly. 1t was just as If these
two had said to each other: you know
it is absurd for me to pretend you are
nothing TO me-"
The young man often avoided the won.
ans eyes. The young woman as often
averted her eyes. They caught each 9th.
er's glance, as it were by chance, to turn
away again.
Arthur Naybcrry was talking OF many
! things, subjects suggested at haphazard,
and dismissed, while his heart was throb-
bling with love- His eyes, his manner
conveyed his feelings; but now his lips
were framing words he had not dreamed
of uttering. He found himself suddenly
looking into Irene Atherton's eyes as he
said
| Miss Atherton, do not misunderstood
me, or think l am simply impulsive but
ever since | first behcld you, l have been
unable to dismiss you from my mind
Ever since | beheld you, as l thought
doomed to instant destruction. l have
thought of you so much in the little time
that has passed, that | will ask you to
permit me to be a friend"
II am not so rich in friends that l can
refuse" said Irene modestly.
| His speech was a confession of love-
Her answer was a tacit admission of her
recognition of the real position he must
occupy hereafter. The moment the words
were uttered Irene regretted them.
| Who was this young man? His friends
would in all probability say he ought to
look higher. She was only puddlers
daughter. True-she thought, as long as
she did not assume anything, she was
just as good as another, but she knew
too well what the world said. And she
knew, too that it would be best for him
and her; IL they could not command the
respect of the world at the outset IL
they could not begin the world indepen-
dent of the world, they would be sub.
| jected to unfriendly criticism. And why
place themselves in a position that would
warrant that? The man thought only:
How can l win this woman?
The conversation drifted to things inn
material, remote; then suddenly the lover
| surprised the object of his love by re-
ferring to a marvellous artist, one whose
name was known all over the world.
| Would she do him the favor to accompany
him2
| Now the one longing Irene confessed
to herself was the desire to see this fam
Gus artist. But would it be wise to ac-
cept his invitation? If she did, there
could be no drawing back. 1t would be
a great pleasure-but what might hap
penI or rather what might have taken
place already? She had a vague impress
sion that her father was ashamed to meet
| Mr.. Mayberry; that he was inclined to
bow to wealth, spite of all his denuncia-
tions of overreaching, grinding capital
lists.
He had labored years on his patents
he longed to see his process in operation,
not alone for the money it would bring
him; then, and not till then, could he DEM
onstrate his superiority over those who
knew nothing, and who, spite of their
ignorance, sneered at him as a visionary.
Yes, certainly her father would rather
see her married to man of means than
any of his own class Irene knew this.
And now, when a young man well edu.
Gated, a member of family whose place
in society had been recognized many gen.
erations ago. was brought near her by q
strange chance, Irene somehow appre.
hended he would not be as cordially wei.
coined as one occupying a humble sphere
You have not answered me-" said
Mayberry, looking at her.
Excuse me-" said Irene, with an in
voluntary sigh. II was thinking. No! J
cannot go"
"CannotY
"Mr. Mayberry. l think it would b,
best not to accept your kind invitation,
at least until we know each other bet
ter"
You mean, until your father approves
my calling here"
He was as honest as she was coura-
geous.
you have said the truth. We have
no callers-unless l except one or two
of fathers old friends"
"You are right" said Mayberry. 81
will wait until your father knows me net.
ter. / will wait-as long as Jacob served
for Rachel"
She bushed carnation at that, and
Mayberry, now that he had blurted out
all that eye and tongue could utter in
awkward confusion, suddenly reached out
hand imploringly.
Il have said it, Miss Atherton-Irene
il you will not be angry with me-this is
something | did not dream of saying, but
| cannot help it. l have tried to keeL
it back"
II do not see what there is to ask par
don for now especially" said Irene with
bright eyes. you have been making
strange speeches ever since you sal
down."
Then he took one of her hands. She
did not withdraw it; she simply LOOKED
aside And at that moment, when AR
thur Mayberry got his first glimpse OF the
heaven of love, loud knock came a
the door.
CTo be continued)
Forgotten Lighthouse Men.
The lighthouse keepers on Percy Isl
nfn OF 81 In, 4