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

most heroic. Despite his clothes OF
conventional cut. there was something
suggestive of the bronze age about
strength. Miss Desboro realized sud.
denly that the mask of conventional
resufint 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
TO 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
| ble-this climax, where she always eX-
pressed hey surprise and sorrow and
bound up the wounded heart with the
ctaIu Of good sisteriy advice She
had particularly enjoyed the anticipa-
ZION OF giving this sisterly advice To
! Eandyne. but somehow the realization
Dade fair 20 fall short OF the anticipa-
| ton. Vandyne's eyes seemed To search
the secret corners OF her soul. and he
! meath that calm, stony scrutiny she
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
all Gpa
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-ssibiiIties for certainties.''
'aDdyne 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
trifier'
The girl sprapg 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 decency.''
VaIrlyne was unmoved by the out
burst. He looked at her with a calm
that WAS almost cOntemptuous.
Il am not speaking with the inten-
ton OF being courteous or decent. l
am simply stating the truth as see it.
II il 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.
Yb.. Girl trrnai fro,,, him ..I an, po
ing back to the house" she said II
had hoped We might be friends: but.
since we can't. perhaps it's b'st not TO
try
She started 40 walk away, but Van
dyEe'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-women
who lead men on To laugh at them and
make sport Of them" He paused.
is that nil:" she asked coidly.
Il have known little, very little. OF
women in my life" he went on. land
! have always placed them mentally in
a shrine as something holy and sacred.
Perhaps I should thank you for unde-
ceiving me"
She turned away again. Nandyne
could not see the tears in her eyes
IRIS an I'll wind that blows no good"
he went on cruelty. AT least you
have taught Inc that what seems 10 be
AMI what Is are very different mat
tiers. That is all. Permit me To con
graduate you again. and-gooiby.'
He turned Oh his heel and strobe
down tho bank toward the water. The
sound Of unresrrained sobbing made
hin turn back. The girl was standing
quite sui. with her hands over her
eyes He hurried up the bank and
stSd before her. rC.pcntant and help
less before her stormy grief
Coal Lord he caspei contritely.
What have DONE"
'You-you have made me love you;
that's what you've done she sobbed.