The Starkville news. (Starkville, Miss.) 1902-1960, 1904-05-20

evening
Alice" said Jim Benson, addressing
the woman he had loved silently for 10
years and over, Il won't wait any longer
for my answer, and | won't take no. I'm
coming to see you again tomorrow
morning. and if you haven't told Miss
Laura that you're going to marry me,
will"
1T isn't as if you didn't love me- he
continued taking advantage OF the sur
prise and amazement that held her
speeches. You do love me, dear, and
you know it, and you know that KNOW
it; you know I've known it-humbly-
for years I've never dared say this oe-
fore, but you'd have let me ask you the
question I've always longed to ask, and
maybe said yes to it years ago IL 1t
hadn't been for your sister Laura. NOW,
it's worse than foolish for us to do with
out or wait for our happiness any long
er just because she objects to my person
al appearance and family. I'm not hand
some, l admit and | know don't snow
up we'll beside her friends and associates,
but then-I'm not asking her to marry
me- And you'll forgive me all the snort
comings | can't help know. You never
did mind appearances as much as MISS
Laura. I've the greatest possible respect
for your sister, dear" as Alice flushed
hotly and regarded him with dawning
indignation; II think she's wonderful
woman. and | love her for the care she's
tried TO take Of you. But she doesn't
really need or desire to claim your entire
life, Alice-and | do!"
1t was the longest speech Jim Benson
had ever made, and it left him breathless.
He looked at the woman before him for
a long moment Of tense silence. as she
blushed and quivered girlishly, her wide
eyes soft and alluring. Then suddenly,
he caught her close to him, and kissed
1er cheek.
Then. with 2 murmured Eeninder OF
<'to-morrow morning" he was gone.
We'll. you miserable idiot" he
apostrophized himself on the way back
TO his hotel, there's a hard job over.
Talk of wars and battles, San Juan was
nothing TO it. I'd rather face whole
army of Filipinos than do that again.
But-after tomorrow morning.
And he lost himself in happy dreams.
Said Arthur Huntley, addressing his
nervous image in the mirror:
You're a wretched coward, man, but
you'll do it this evening! It's now or
never. and it mustn't be the latter. Think
of YOUR foolish, cowardly waiting! Think
of how it would seem to have some
braver man secure her, and never know
if
Dlucked up courage to ask her first! AS
ii is-who knows what she thinks OF
your waiting, even if she has caused 1t?
And if she should say no
But he utterly refused to consider
possibility so dire and dreadful. Life
without the long-held dream of some day
having Laura Starrett for wife would
be scarcely worth living. He felt that
the question he had for three years
lacked courage to ask in face of her de-
termined opposition could be postponed
TO longer. A groundlesS rumor in re-
gard to her tacit encouragement OF an
other man had filled him with forebod-
tngs. Yes, certainly, he must speak.
Three ties, five collars, much time, and
unlimited effort at last turned him out
sufficiently neat and Immaculate to seek
her presence. Once in it, he was shy and
embarrassed as she had never seen him.
Her woman's intuition told her that the
decisive moment SO long postponed was
close upon her. With the departure of
her earlier callers her last hope Of re-
spite vanished. He took her hand as
one who will not be gainsaid
Dear" he began, using almost the
same words as had used Jim Benson an
hour or two earlier in addressing Alice,
~Dear. | must have my answer-and
won't take no. I've tried for three years
to ask YOU to marry me, and you've never
allowed it. Now feel that hearing is
due me, and I-you must say yes, Laura.
I love you passionately, dearest, and
feel-sometimes-th you-dont dis
like me, although you do keep me at such
q distance. Can't you make up your
mind to be my. wife, dear woman, and
let me try to make you half as happy as
you'd make ne without any trying at
all?"
"Don.t answer now" he urged her, as
drawing her hand way, she would have
enoken in unmistakable manner; don't
saw anything, dearest, until you've
tbonght it all over. And don't believe
there's an, reason for no. Il you like