Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1904-12-24
- Why Not Say "Yes"? ~
CHAPTER III.-teontinued.)


chance of escape.
Although he had been quite close to
h.- he doubled back and came on at q
brisk pace, whistling a merry tune.
T;lIan. for a moment, felt that she must
+ske to fight, but she at once conquered
tho impulse. To rush back to the house
;rr,ominiously directly she knew of his
Coming would be a pitiable exhibition.
c. she nerved herself for the ordeal,
rgbeh she knew would be the postponed
proposal of yesterday.
Had Jack put the question then. she
r-ouh have said "Yes." 1t would have
cited in with the general monotony of
her life. But the coming of the colonial
Iif it had not touched her heart as yeti
had cleared the atmosphere, had given a
fresh aspect to the countryside, had
onened to her awakened eyes the posi-
bilities of larger and brighter existence.
And Jack-with his joyous delight in
mere country life, which she had seemed
70 share with him-appeared to have
raceded into the far distance, as it had
been in her dream.
lack had schooled himself to set aside
all his angry looks. The wound was
ranking worse than ever today, but he
you're looking as bright as the
NORM" he quoted. "You must forgive
me nv Jealous temper and forget all that
has happened since l came out of the
orchard at this time yesterday to hear
vour ultimatum. Lillian, darling, when
left YOU then to get your wildfowers
YOU would have said yes if you had not
been interrupted. Can't you say 1t now,
and end my suspensef"
Oncs more the tremulous arms of the
eager lover had stolen round her waist,
and once more the girl drew herself
away.
you are too impatient, jack" she
said. IT cannot be hurried like this You
must give me more time, and even then
don't think it's right to lead you on,
I can't say yes now, and | don't prom
ise that I shall ever say it. / am in no
hurry to get married at all"
The young fellow would have been
more than human if he could have passed
this by in renewal of tender words.
you know you are deceiving me, Lii
Ian" he said, with flashing eyes. Yes
terday, l repeat, you would have accepted
me. in two months time you would
have been my wife. Something has come
between us, aIlu IldI SOIuetIllllS Is
Godfrey Linton. Darling, think twice
before you cast aside the love of years
for one whom you have known for only
day. 1t is orly a glamour, darling
glamour of the moment. Be mine, dear
give me The promise before he can
strive for it. love. you'll love you!
Can | say more?"
1t was a painful moment for the young
girl
Tears filed her eyes. She knew in her
heart that never could she accept this
man for her husband.
But her momentary hesitation gave
him fresh courage, and he went on more
passionately still.
Darling, why not say yes? ?" he urged,
feeling a desperate longing to take her
in his arms and kiss her into subsection.
you know, though that word has not
been spoken by you, have looked upon
you as my future wife for more than a
year. Others have thought it, too. Say
'yes,' my darling! Think of the weight
you will take from my heart-the fear
that, if you are not promised to me, an
other may be able to win you"
He spoke with all the ardent impul-
siveness of lover-with a lovers eager
light in his eyes; but had she been able
to seach his heart, she would have seen
substratum of evil passion-a menace
as to what would be in store for his rival
Ii she favored him.
Perhaps some dim perception of this
mingled with the strange revulsion Of
feeling that had taken place in her since
the previous day. Her cowardice fell from
her suddenly. Better the storm now
than repeated scenes of this kind.
She brushed away her tears and faced
the situation.
Jack" she said, ut is best not to de-
eeiye you. [ cannot be your wife. Yes
teIday l hesitated; today L am sure.
never knew that your temper could run
away with you as it does. We should
never be happy. Go away little while,
and return as my dear friend. But never
as my husband, Jack-it cannot be-"
is this your final decision!" he said,
Speaking in a voice hoarse with passion
and jealousy.
Yes, Jack; it is better to tell you now
than to keep you waiting-waiting for
what can never be-" returned the girl
KINDLY. Don't go away in anger,
Jack"
But he STROBE off without another word.
was there any regret in her heart as
she saw him depart? There may have
been regret for lost time-lost illusions
lost hopes. But not for her determine
uon. If he could not command himself
at the very time he was pleading his
cause how could she hope for happiness
IN the futuref
The only thing that oppressed her was
.ne lear OF what his passion might lead
MN to. She saw plainly now the i'll
regulated mind, which had so long been
concealed under quiet and gentle de-
meanor. She felt there was danger in the
AR and she was thankful that Godfrey
Linton was her fathers guest.
IL ether feelings were stealing into her
mind IN regard to him, she drove them
rom her as much as she could. But lii
nan was not tTaitress-either to her
sell or to others. She knew that her