Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-02-04
DAILY SHORT STORY
THE END OF 1T.

conventional cut. there was something
him-some hint of rugged. primitive
strength. Miss Desboro realized sud
denly that the mask of conventional
resuffnt had been thrown aside and
4 that there stood before her all of the
rugged. primitive man that lay beneath
| that mask.
a moment ago she had been inclined
10 laugh. Now there was a strange
sensation Juggling at her heart. but
whether il 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 he- surprise and sorrow and
bound up the wounded heart with the
l<talm OF good sisteriy advice. She
had particularly enjoyed the anticipa-
ZION OF giving this sisterly advice tn
Vandyne. but somehow the realization
Dade fair TO fall short OF the anticipa-
| ton. Vandyne's eyes seemed To search
| the secret corners of her soul. and be-
was stunned and helpless. She seemed
10 feel rather than hear Vandyne's
deep voice saying, with quiet bitter
ness:
Il congratulate you. Miss Desboro. ]
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 IN
moved by its eloquence.
do you think yon are quite fair to
me-" she asked. with an attempt at
hauteur that fell pathetically fat.
Vandyne smiled slowly. do you
think you have been fair TO me!" he
said.
The girl pulled her gloves nervously.
Il don't know what you call fair
she said. You grasp at straws. You
take S-ssiblities for certainties.'
.aDdyne laughed harshly In other
words. l have made the CHASTITY Hlis
take OF thinking you imbued with all
the qualities of the perfect woman.
when in reality you are a heartless
trifier.''
The girl sprapg TO her feet. her eyes
abIaZe.
You are going too far. Mr. Vandyne"
she said heatedly. You are saying
things quite beyond bounds OF courtesy
Or-or decency,''
Earrlyne 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. 1
am simply stating the truth as see it.
serve it,
The girl flushed.
No man had ever before spoken to
her in this fashion, but beneath. her an
ger was a 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 tire 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. i think you'll admit, are
rather hard To- understand sometimes"
said he
The girl turned from him. II am GO
ing back to the house, she said. II
had hoped Ne might be friends: but.
since we can't, perhaps it's b.,st not to
try
She started 10 walk away, but Van
dyne's voice stopped her.
Wait moment" he said CURLY
You shall hear few things i have
TO say before you leave"
She turned. "Weil?' she asked wea-
rily.
Il want To- say that il is such women
as you that make misogy nists-wo
who lead men on to- laugh at them and
make sport of them" He paused.
rs that aii:" she asked coidly.
Il have known little, very little. of
women in my life he went on, land
1 have always placed them mentally in
a shrine as something holy and sacred
Perhaps 1 should thank you for uude-
ceiving me"
She turned away again. Nandyne |
could not see the tears in her eyes
It's an III wind that blows no good" |
he went on cruelty AT least you |
have Taught me that what seems 10 be |
ami what il are very different mat |
tiers. That is all. Permit me To- con
Gratulate you again. and-goodhy"
He turned on his heel and strobe |
down the bank toward the water. The
sound Of unresrrained sobbing made
him turn back. The girl was standing
quite stiIl. with her hands over her
eyes He hurried up the bank and
st6d before Eer. rcpcntant and help
less before her stormy grief
Coal Lord he Gaspel contriteiy.
What have / DONE
fou-you have made me love you;
that's what You've done she sohbpd