The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1905-06-27

earet FeRton entered the room. She
looked at Atherton coldigsas be jumped
to his feet.
80 you've come at last she said.
Athsrtou smiled iu enigmatic fashion
He seemed neither embarrassed nor
apologetic. The girl was p,ainiy .rrl-
tated.
MY heas Margaret" said he. II know
owe you thousand apologies, but
really couldn't come last evening. The
fact Is. | had a business appointment
"a business appointment she inter-
rupted. inoredulously.
Exactly" said he And today I waS
detsdned ut the Office until afer
o'clock"
at the ofceY" she asked, with q
puzzled frown
at the onice,' he repeated smi ps
imperturably. You see nave at ast
needed your advice. The old car ess
life is behind me I'm a toiler mol "a
bread winner, II you like"
I'm what capacity. prayg" shei in
quired, the faintest hint Of sarcasm
src.sirg at the corners Of her mouth.
I'm a humble clerk in an insurance
Office" he explained. @Witherby Sc
cured the position for me-'job' be pre-
fers to call it,
Really, Ted?' she asked. dubiously.
Really" he affirmed. This is my
drst day at it,"
"Oh. see," she said "You didn't
come for-for your answer last night
because you wanted to wait until You
we're really doing something. Ted, I'm
glad you are an idler no longer. I'm
proud Of YOU"
He smiled rather lugubriously.
'I must confess | prefer idllng." he
said.
but you1l stick it out?' she asked.
"Oh, | shall stick it out, no fear
said he.
"Well rE forgive you for not coming
last night" said she. "And since you
are workiug-really doing something.
however humble it is, the answer you
want"
Pardon me" he interrupted her 81
can't have an answer. l have no right
to one You will very kindly forget,
Margaret, that | have ever asked for
one"
She looked at him with speschless as
constituent. He was smiling gravely.
Margaret he said kuietly, Il put
the old life behind me because l had to-
The failure last Tuesday of Simpson &
Co. has put my finances in a tottering
condition. There will be something
left, It is true, but little, very little.
{ am a clerk because have to-because
it means bread and butter to me-"
She sat for a moment in a stunned
silence.
"oh, Ted" she cried at length, I'm
so sorry"
81 don't mind the loss Of the money
so much, said he slowly. "and after
all / don't believe I'm so terribly afraid
Of work But the part that hurts lies
in the fact that have TO lose you. o.
course, dear, l know just what you are
going TO say-that you1l wait for me
through eternity, If necessary. But
that isn't WISE You must be free.
absolutely free-so that when the other
fellow comes along. who is just as good
as l am and a little better probably,
YOU can listen to him with no dlsloy-
atty to me"
He tried to speak lightly, but there
was a note Of bitterness in his voice.
He rose and stood a minute irresolute.
"Good-by," he said shortly, and bolt
ed for the door.
The girl rose quickly and barred tho
way. Her checks were flushed and her
eyes shining
Tied" she said "Tm ashamed cf
You-ashamed and disappointed
He stood before her silent.
81 thought you cared enough FOR me
to understand me, she said with some
heat.
Cared" be cried Good Lord, MAJ
garet; can't you see what this means
10 me?"
'But you dout understand she
went on; you're not even trying TO.
You look at this mat;er IN your one
sided man fashion You dent ask
what it means to me or what / want 70
10. You say to me You are free, ana
YOU seem TO think that ends it,"
Her eyes were shining susplciousy
now Atherton looked al her helpless
ly.
1T IS now you need me when you
have every thing to do" she said "and
yet you cast me aside as II would be
= drag"
Good heavens, no, chlld,' he said
quickly. But DO you suppose I'd let
you make such sacrifices for met DO
you suppose I'd let you live in all that
poverty means the narrowness. the
obscurity OF IT,"
Tied, what are narroness and OBJ
scurity II I have your? she asked I'm
not afraid"
Athertons hands we're cllnchinE and