The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1902-1905, 1905-03-03
THE END OF 1T

conventional cut there was something
suggestive of the bronze age about
him-some hint of rugged, primitive
strength. Miss DesbOro realized sud
denly that the mask Of conventional
restraint had been thrown aside and
that there stood before her all Of the
rugged, primitive man that lay beneath
that mask.
A moment ago she had been inclined
to laugh. Now there was strange
sensation tugging at her heart, but
whether it was pity or fear she could
not tell. This was the stage of the
game she generally found most enjoya-
ble-this climax, where she always eX-
pressed her surprise and sorrow and
bound up the wounded heart with the
balm of good sisterly advice. She
had particularly enjoyed the anticipa-
ton of giving this sisterly advice to
Vandyne, but somehow the realization
Uuut luIE W IAN GllbIt Vi INV illliNABi
ton. Vandynes eyes seemed to search
the secret corners of her soul, and be-
meath that calm, stony scrutiny she
was stunned and helpless. She seemed
to feel rather than hear Vandyne's
deep voice saying, with quiet bitter
ness:
II congratulate you, Miss DesbOro. l
have seen the game before, but never
played like this. You have thoroughly
mastered all its fine points"
She looked up with an appealing
glance. That same appealing glance
had saved the situation for her many
times before this. But for once it failed.
The primitive man before her was I'M
moved by its eloquence
"Do you think you are quite fair to
>me" she asked, with an attempt at
hauteur that fell pathetically fiat.
Vandyne smiled slowly. "Do you
think you have been fair to meT he
said.
The girl pulled her gloves nervously.
Il don't know what you call fair"
she said. you grasp at straws. You
take possibilities for certainties."
Vandyne laughed harshly. I'm other
words, l have made the CHASTITY mis-
take of thinking you imbued with all
the qualities of the perfect woman,
when in reality you are a heartless
triher."
The girl sprang to her feet, her eyes
ablaze.
You are going too far, Mr. Vandyne"
she said heatedly. You are saying
things quite beyond bounds Of courtesy
or-or decencyw
Vandyne was unmoved by the out
burst He looked at her with a calm
that was almost cOntemptuous.
81 am not speaking with the inten-
ton of being courteous or decent. l
am simply stating the truth as l see it..
If it hurts, l am sorry, but you de-
serve it."
The girl flushed.
No man had ever before spoken to
her in this fashion, but beneath her an
ger was wholesome respect for the
courage and candor Of the man.
"Of course you have the right to
say all this" she said bitterly.
"You have given me the right" he
returned
"Oh, it's always the girls fault of
course" she said "a man mistakes
her motives, and then she must suffer
for his mistakes"
Motives, | think you'll admit, are
rather hard to understand sometimes"
said he.
The girl turned from him. ii am 60
ing back to the house" she said. II
had hoped we might be friends; but
since we can't, perhaps it's best not to
try"
She started to walk away, but Van
dyne's voice stopped her.
wait a moment" he said curtly.
you shall hear a few things l have
to say before you leave"
She turned. "Well?" she asked wea-
rily.
Il want to say that it is such women
rs you that make misogynists-wome
who lead men on to laugh at them and
make sport of them" He paused.
us that all?" she asked coldly.
Il have known little, very little, of
women in my life," he went on, land
l have always placed them mentally in
shrine as something holy and sacred.
Perhaps l should thank you for unde-
ceiving me-"
She turned away again. VGndyne
could not see the tears in her eyes.
Its an i'll wind that blows no good"
he went on cruelty. "At least you
have taught me that what seems to be
and what is are very different mat
tiers. That is all. Permit me to con-
gratulate you again, and-goodby."
He turned on his heel and strobe
down the bank toward the water. The
sound of unrestrained sobbing made
him turn back. The girl was standing
quite still, with her hands over her
eyes. He hurried up the bank and
stood before her. repentant and help
less before her stormy grief
Good Lordr he gasped contrttely.
What have l dOne?"
"You-you have made me love you;
that's what you've DONE" she sobbed.
And the bronze man suddenly be-
came very human.