Smyrna times., 1904-10-19

It takes ME to the other side of the |
continent. l have not actually decid- |
ed, but l shall doubtless accept it. In
deed, can scarcely afford not to for
several reasons"
lie did not look at her, and she was
thankful for even that small sign of
perturbation on his part. A quick res0-
luton seized her. 1t was leap year
blessed thought-and why should not
n woman, once in thousand years or
so, stand up and demand her own as
fearlessly and directly as a man would
do! Had she not, by every vile that
woman may use, tried to make him ac-
knowledge his love for her? Never
never-never would he ask her to mar
ry him because of her millions. Well
then, she would ask him!
The first tumult of her resolution
over, she felt Il strange eXhilaration.
Even the thought that intruded itself
like specter between them-the pos
sibility that she might have mistaken
his feeling toward her-did not deter
her
If she were rejected? Well, she had
rejected a number of men in her day,
and there would be a certain pOetical
justice in his melting out to her what
she had meted out to them!
While these thoughts were racing
through her mind she had touched the
bell.
Remember, Smithson, l am not to
be disturbed" she threw over her
shoulder to the butler.
you might light cigar if you have
! one about you" she suggested whim-
sically. 1T would be a favor to me if
you would. Men are always more ap-
! prOachabe when they're smoking,
aren't they?"
Askew smiled assent and complied
with her request. Then he paused
with the lighted cigar between his fin
gers and gave her Il long look, which
she returned unfinchingly, With al
effort she began to speak
Duncan" she said bravely, 81 have
something to tell you. Perhaps not an
other woman in the world would do it
and perhaps you'll hate me for it,
Hate your' he interrupted in a voice
whose derlsive incredulity was musi'
to her ears. Hate you! l can imag
inc a good many things, but not that
"WeIr'-her voice was slightly un
certain, but her eyes looked into hi
without waverng-'you see. there is
poor rich girl-a girl who has loads o
| nd
it is always cutting her off from al
the things and people she cares for
Poor thingw sighed Askew mocb
ingly. "What a pity she can't divid
with mer'
That's just what she wants to do,
leaped from her lips "She wants t
give it all to you. You see-I-TI
speaking for her She isn't in the hab
of saying things like this 10 men, an
she doesn't know exactly how to
it. But she wants you to know tha
she thinks you the one man in til
world; that her faith in you is so gref
that she even dares to tell you that
Observation-Disclosures 81
knows that if she has made a mistak
and you do not care for her you wi
be as truthful with her as she has bee
with you"
Donald Askew sat as if stupefie
while the struggle between pride al
love went on within him. To be pOin
ed out as the man who married II
rich Miss Vance to have it said of hi
that he had feathered his nest well
these and kindred possibilities rose l
/ in his mind and CALLED his spirit b
{ yond endurance.
| Then his vision cleared, and he sa
e nothing, was conscious of nothing
5 the world but a proud, sensitive ia
covered with womanly shame. Befo
! that vision his pride went down, an
?, leaning forward, he buried his face
j her lap. a moment later her Ii
touched his hair.
= I'm a brute, a perfect brute"
4 groaned, Ito have made you do it,
O You're the brute | love, though
,, uaS the WhiSDprpd answer