Smyrna times., 1904-06-15
trees? Don't you know that it must

ne SUI
She opened her lips to protest, but
he gave her no chance to speak.
''NOw, put yourself in the place OF
these people here. Suppose"-he man
aged to fling a 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 loved
you since the day we met for the first
time; that l cannot and will not live
without you; that
He stopped abruptly in order to take
a fresh start. Something ear
nest, appealing1had 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 l
would rather have your love than the
power of king or the wealth of a
Croesus; that l should count it fine |
and wonderful beyond all imagining, a |
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 prOvOkingly |
husky. 1t was a full second before he
could recover his vein of light raillery
Suppose that l should say all this
and much more that | can think of to
you, here and now, to the accompani-
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 curious
| person who was looking on 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 a thrill of triumph he saw that
she was not listening unmOved even
to the supposition. But she kept a
bold front
DO l seem to be melting?" she in
quired. with a touch of defiance which
cOmpOrted i'll with the tumultuous
beating of her heart and a most an
noying feeling of tremulousness about
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 suppOstiOns.
"But that was not all. Suppose that
l should tell you that, though | love
you as a man can love but once,
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 caredY'
Slowly the color faded from her face
She realized it, but she could not help
it, for she felt still and cold and motion
less Then. almost piteOusly, her eyes
sought his. Triumph and gladness
were visible there. His look was q
caress. The place. the music the peO
pie mOmentarily vanished from hel
consciousness. She felt as if they wer,
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 scarle
and her eyes blazed.
agnes. Agnesv he admOnshed
using her first name without a sigl
, |
using it always in the future. "Be
ware, my dear girl! If those others,
: nodding toward the couples whom sh
had so lately criticised, were less ab
;, sOrbed in their own affairs, am afrai,
: they would be justified in thinking tha
we are having a lovers quarrel"
). You wretch!' she said at last. |
- really seemed the only thing to do
to smile and make the best of it. The
; her glance strayed to the others. l
:. was trifie more sympathetic than be
:, fore. O'DOnOhue. as they had name
= him. sat silent. uncomfortable, happy
The godling and the blue eyed gil
were talking. but were perhaps sayin
more with their eyes than with thei
= lips.
might l have the honor of your a
= tentiOn" pleaded Richardson's voic
. meekly.
= She turned toward him, trying har
= to look serious, but the corners of he
:, mouth wavered.
"Suppose"-the voice was bit breatl
: less-"suppose l were to tell you thi
the first part was true-terribly true
" the part about my caring for you?" /
questioned. The rest, of course wf
nonsense"
- Little waves of color swept over h,
-, face and disappeared in the duskine'
: of her hair. She gave him one quiC
. glance, and her lids covered her ey,
- and shut out their message.
I" In the convenient shadow of Il
=, chair his big brown hand closed ov
IN hers with a tOuch-gentle, firm, S
=, preme.
- There were three pairs of lovers, br
= alas, no audience!
Stories OF Artemus Ward.