Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1905-06-07
"How abominable OF you'll" she in.

"But you can see your head, too"
assured her. You're falling
mean, leaning-backward with ter
rif1ed but fascinating smile on your
face, and your skirt is"
"Of course, you will destroy it at
once" she interposed, with her form
err haste.
I demurred. "It really is a very
good one of you; at least, of part of
you. If you could see it"
"T don't want to see it," she broke
in. you must destroy it at once"
But it's the only thing I have of
you, now you've burned that, and /
indicated the fire.
You've no right to any of me.
| 7 don't see why you want one at all -
said Miss Moreton, holly.
II don't say have any right" l
replied meekly; "but I'm going to
stick to what I have. After all, it's
mine. took it."
It's perfectly disgraceful of you,
and-and-the law" declared she,
her face handsomely flushed now, and
her eyes bright with anger. Its
monstrous that THAT one hasn't
any command over ones own-own
person."
"You hadn't any command at that
moment" I said.
She cast me a fiery glance, and
bit her lip as if on something she had
decided to suppress. I think she de-
termined at that moment to try diplo-
| macy.
Tell me-" she said, in milder
voice, 'tell me exactly what it's like,
and how I'm-how I came out,
mean
well, you know what happens
when you catch a 'crab,' " replied
evasively.
YES" she said, doubtfully. "You
mean-am do -" She hesitat-
ed, almost wistfully.
well, you do, rather" I answered
reluctantly.
"Mr. Madison" she said, earnestly
and very persuasively, putting hand
on my arm; you will destroy it, won't
your"
1t was pretty; it was pathetic; it
almost succeeded.
But I hardened my heart. Goa one
condition." said slowly, "and it's a
very easy condition. I might make
much better terms"
Miss Moreton flounced away indig-
nantly, and proceeded on my way
to her mother to make my adieux.
The room was fairly empty now, and
I was following little knot of depart
ing guests into the hall when heard
nay name reiterated earnestly and
softly. l turned.
"Mr. Madison, I wish you would
stay just one moment" said Miss
Moreton. "I-" she hesitated, glanc-
ed about the emptying room, and then
moved toward the back of it, where
a little ante-chamber gave upon it
through wide folding doors. fol-
lowed.
"You really mean what you say?"
she asked suddenly, confronting me.
I said that l did. Every WE'LL" she
said, bitterly. tits the most atroci-
GUS conduct of you, and I'll never for
get or forgive it. But"
She angrily tossed open an album
on the table, and at last stopped.
bent down, and a beautiful face on fair
shoulders, GROWING a pretty evening
gown, looked at me with a charming
smile. looked at my companion.
wished she would smile like that at
me; but even in her anger she was
wonderful. Her gaze expressed cold
ness, distance = contempt.
tits a most magnificent likeness"
l breathed fervently. "It's-it's di-
vine.'
cts said to be good" she said
Miss Moreton, indifferently.
do you think SO really?" asked
Miss Moreton.
tits your living breathing image
that looks out on me- I continued.
"They do take very well, as rule,
those people," said Miss Moreton,
affably.
"You can't wonder that want it,"
exclaimed. I'D give anything for
-"
well, you can take it, if you'll
give me your word to destroy the
that other thing" said she, in not
unfriendly voice.
promised, and she graciously
helped me to extract the photograph
from the album. | buttoned it safely
ly over my heart in my pocket, but
Miss Moreton, having completed the
bargin, of course, took no more in
terest in the matter. She was gaz-
ing down the room at some one else.
But thought occurred to her.
"You haven't shown that-that alb
surd snapshot to any one?' she ask
ed, anXiously.
ooh, no." i said I've never printed