The Western news., 1904-06-22

~AS opSAO0 ASl APPS " plolNSt, Du
ne gave her no chance to speak.
Now, put yourself in the place O
these people here. Suppose" man
aged to fling word of teasing sar
casm into his words-"suppose, for in
stance, that l, here and now. should
tell you that love you that I've love,
you since the day we met for the tirs1
time: that l cannot and will not live
without you; that
! He stopped abruptly in order to take
fresh start. Something-urgent. ear
nest. appealing-had crowded the mock,
cry out of his voice. 1t had the ring OF
appeal. 1t sounded far too much in
earnest. He called the mockery to his
aid once more and resumed
What if l should tell you that I
would rather have your love than the
power OF king or the wealth of n
Crocsus; that l should count it fine
and wonderful beyond all imagining. n
moment to die for, if l could read in
your eyes that you love me, that some
day you will be my wife,"
His voice had become provOkinplv
nusky. 1t was Il full second before he
could recover his vein of light rullery.
suppose that l should say all this
and much more that l can think of to
you. here and now, to the accountant
ment of this bewitching music. Could
you sit and listen unmoved? Wouldn't
there be some change in your express
sion and in mine by which a c,rious
person who was looking OH might dis.
cover that all the world loves: And
would we care very much:''
He was leaning forward. his strong
muscular hands clasped loosely before
him. a whimsical smile on his lips
With Il thrill of triumph he saw that
she Was not listening unmoved even
to the supposition. But she kept 4
bold front.
do | seem to be meltin-:" she in
qulfeu, with Il touch of defiance which
comnorted i'll with the tunlultro1,s
beating Of her heart and most an
moving feeling of tremulousness abort
the lips. 1t was too absurd. But At
least he should not know how embar-
rassed she was.
Then he proceeded calmly with his
odious suppositions
"Rut that was not all. Suppose thar
l should tell you that though | love
you as man can love but once.
though you are to me the scent of the
roses. the sweetness Of music. the dear
est JOY Of life. l am honor bound TO
another. Would there be ANYTHING to
show that you cared?'
Slowly the color faded from her face
She realized it, but she could not helm
1t, for she felt still and cold and motion.
less. Then, almost piteously. her ewes
sought his. Triumph and gladness
were visible there. His look was
caress. The place, the music, the peo-
pie momentarily vanished from her
She felt as if they were
alone In the world-a fuller. happier
world than she had ever before dream.
ed of.
His low, pleased, tantalizing laugh re.
called her. Her cheeks went scarlet
and her eyes blazed.
Agnes, Agnes" he admonished,
using her first name without sign
of apology, precisely as IL he intended
using It always In the future. BE
ware, my dear girl! II those Others"
nodding toward the couples whom she
had so lately criticised. were less alb
'orbed in their own affairs. am afraid
lhey would be justified in thinking that
We are having a lovers quarrel
You wretch" she said at last. 1t
'eally seemed the only thing to do
o smile and make the best of it. Then
Ter glance strayed to the others. 1t
vas tritie more sympathetic than be-
ore. ODonohue, as they had named
lln' sat silent, uncomfortable. happy.
che godling and the blue eyed girl |
we're talking but We're perhaps saving !
more with their eyes than with their
ips.
Might l have the honor of your at
ention:' pleaded Richardson's voice
neekly
She turned toward him. trying hard
o look serious. but the corners of her
mouth wavered,
Suppose'-the voice was bit breath
ess-"suppose l were to tell YOU that
ne nrst part was true-terrbly true
ne part about my caring for your he
''The rest, Of course was
Little waves of color swept over her
ace and disappeared In the duskines,
I her hair. She gave him one quick
lance, and her lids covered her ewes
nd shut out their message.
In the convenient shadow of the
hair his big brown hand closed over
ers with touch-gentle firm, su-
rene.
There We're three pairs Of lovers but.
las, no audience.