Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-02-18

inconsequential words, II had to come to
YOU
For the first time it occurred to her that
the man might have conceived an affection
for her and that he might have come to tell
her of it. Betsey Bobbin had said more
than once that he was in love with her,
but she had never taken such remarks
seriously. She honestly hoped now, as she
looked at his unhappy face, that this was
not the case. She did not like the man. but
she had no reason for wishing to give him
pain. She tried to take the situation
lightly.
Am I such tremendously important
person. she asked. trying hard to smile.
His face flushed slowly as she looked at
him.
Miss Cooper" he said slowly, don't let
l am an idiot for dreaming of it or for com
ing to you, but don't let us even pretend
that we do not understand
~ do not she said, but somewhat
weakly. She was afraid she did But she
spoke truly when she added You amaze
me. Mr.. Hubbard
II astonish myself sometimes he an
swered. His eyes gave quick, upward
flush which caught her looking al them,
and she dropped her gaze But the Won
DER he continued sis the fact that l have
kept my wise silence for so long. 1t is not
surprising that l am speaking now at
last"'
He was so evidently laboring under some
great mental excitement, and, withal, pre-
scented such an unusual spectacle of resent
full misery, that Mercy involuntarily made
a motion as if she would go away. He be-
gan to speak again at once.
NO, stay moment" he said, with the
red eyes staring steadily. You can. at
least listen to what l have to say. l shall
be very calm. 1 am not telling you be-
cause l hope, but because l owe it to my
self to tell you. To do that at least. L
love YOU
She made a motion of protest, but he
,to Cd hap yrritt
Il have loved you for long time" he
went on. Almost ever since / came here"
She made another gesture of protest, but
to this he paid no more attention than he
had to that which went before.
1T pains you to even hear about it!' he
exclaimed. Il knew that it would pain
you-yet / came. L am helpless and hope
less from the very start. 1 know that. But
/ can't help loving you, you know"
Under the unadmirable details of the
mans look and manner there was dignity
in this simple statement. Mercy found her
voice with a little catch that almost was a
sob.
"Oh, Mr. Hubbard" she said at last
don't, please don't. Truly l cannot tell
you how it hurts me to hear you speak in
that way"
When he replied it was plain that it re-
quired real physical effort to keep his voice
from breaking. His lips twitched and sent
the words out TREMENDOUSLY.
II shall never bother you again. he said
Do you love some one?"
She bowed her head.
rs it Selkirk?' he asked. his voice chok-
ing.
She bowed her head again.
He tried to tell me of 1t at the office"
he said, miserably, but / wouldn't let him.
could not bear to hear him say it,
He sat with clenched hands, and his eyes
| looked away from her for a moment while
7, he kept silence The blood slowly left a
CHASTITY pallor on his cheeks and brow, and
| then as slowly flushed back to them again.
She could see the big muscles in his neck
! contract and loosen, contract and loosen.
1t was almost as If he were strainng at
some great bodily task. She became def
| nitely frightened as she looked at him, al
though she knew he would not harm her.
| The thought flashed through her mind that,
| feeling as he did. he might harm Selkirk,
| but she put it from her, when evidently
with Il great effort, he said, slowly:
'You are very WISE"
| But his wrath rose against Selkirk as he
| said 1t. and plainly did his emotions
show upon his lowering face that she
guessed this, and her heart trembled for an
| instant for her lover
| Then she barely heard a long exhalation
| of his breath between his teeth-clenched
Good night" he said.
| Good night" she answered, and added
| softly, II am very sorry"
| But she thought he could not possibly
| have heard her. for she delayed In speaking
| to get her breath after her last glimpse of
/
| ready stepped through the door and was
passing rapidly along the pathway leading
| to the gate.
| CHAPTER TX.
The town hall at Toms River was crowded
| to overfowing in the morning of the day
of the convention. AS such crowds 60 1t
| was an orderly assemblage. Both Musser
and Cooper were received with enthusiasm
| when they entered. and 1t soon became evil
dent that their names were the only ones