The Press., 1904-12-28
By OHIO B. SENECA
Copyright. 1904 by otho B. senea

coming up 10 your plaZza, aS Smaller cloud rolled up unanimously.
 That's horse and rider. MT, Rob- ertsr' excitedly.
 "Sure, 1t is you. just starting out for a ride over your ranch! See the veil on your hat?'
 She laughed with almost childish en- joyment of the child's play at make believe"
 There's another rider now. Let's see who that is"
 They gazed earnestly at the passing cloud
 sT thought so," cried the man trium- phantly, its me-" with dashing dis regard of grammar. tits me-on San cho. We're going together over our ranch"
 The woman's hand reached out in stinctively as if to brush the clouds away, and the hand was promptly caught and held in larger, stronger one
 Lets make it true," he whispered earnestly. Don't go back east again. Stay here and make it true.' She shook her head half sadly. "You don't like it here. You couldn't make the sacrifice"-
 "It isn't that. do like it. like ev- erything about it. never felt so near the sky before-never before so real ized the warmth and comfort of the earth. To me the breadth of vision is fascinating. But my work lies else where"
 'What work?'' gravely.
 "Why. my work-my business-my life work
 'I suppose you mean your writing your editorial work"-
 'Certainly. I have no other"
 'aThat is what ysu are domg for a livelihood, because you are brainy enough to be successful at it. But is that really your life work-the work to satisfy a woman's heart and bring rest and peace into her life? Look, dearest, that pretty knoll off there is just the place to build the rambling stone house. with hooks and corners and vines and piazzas. The land is mine as far as you can see on each side. You may have a dozen houses if you like"
 'I should know you are Irish." with | defensive evasion. 'Such impetuos- ityv'
 ''My mother was Scotch.' smiling winningly. "and you know pertinaeity is predominating characteristic of the Scottish people. Combine that with my Irish impetuosity"
 ''It's formidable combination y with a movement to arise.
 "We're not going yet" putting out detaining hand; we're going to watch the sunset and talk about our house and plan about our wedding I don't need to tell you that I love you, dear"
 "But-but. you've known me only a month";
 'aThat's long enough to know that I love you" "And I know nothing of your-your antecedents," hesitatingly. "I haven't any," shortly.
 "In New England" slowly, "one's antecedents count for good deal"
 The man laughed bitterly and then his face grew grave. "Please sit down again, Miss Fair lie I foresee conflict between your eastern pride and prejudice and my western independence and intolerance. and am not equal to it standing"
 She yielded, not unwillingly.
 "A man without antecedents"- she began.
 "In this section of Gods country" !" he interrupted firmly. ga man stands Rn,4 ST1cf -haf hn fS Nn xxylln his relatives are if he is square and white and does the right thing here. Never mind my 'antecedents,' Agnes Don't you love meT
 He put out his hand and softly touched fold of her riding habit. She trembled at the suggestion of a caress in the tender touch.
 'I wish you'd go away" she pleaded Wont you go away while I think it all outY'
 The odd. boyish abruptness that had so often amused her came back again.
 "Go away? Not muchi I'll stay ance to you in making up your mind"
 She sat in troubled silence.
 Presently he began speaking again. low and tenderly "You have not said that you lore me. Agnes. but believe that you do'-
 .T-I am afraid that I do." with something very like sob in her voice. q have often wondered how it would seem to-to care so much for some one as to wish to be with him always. Now I know''- He controlled the wild impulses of his impetuous seart and only said gently, ''I believe I can make you happy"
 There are some things" she inter rupted, speaking slowly and with a painful effort. that it is only right you should know. I-I think I am older than you.'
 ''Yes," he assented calmly, "I knew that"
 ''YOu"-after a pause-"you are not more than thirty-fiveY' questioningly.
 I'm awfully sorry, dear, but you've got to cut off ten years. I'll be twen- V-nve next Thursday"
 She gasped, recoiling as from a dash of cold water, and covered her face with slender. trembling hands.
 Its shame, isn't it, sweetheart" eoaxingly. But don't you mind. We don't need to hang our family record on the outside of the house. and my gray hair is so decefving no one will suspect Let's talk about the wedding if it could be this week.
 'This weekr' in startled cOnsterna- ton. "Who ever heard of such g thingT'
 'sWhen man has lived whole quar- fer nf d csIlfrrr dnfl,f YnT think he