The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1905-06-01
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don't see why you want one at ALL"
said Miss Moreton hotly.
Il don't say l have any right" l re-
piled meekly; "but I'm going to stick
to what 1 have. After all, it's mine.
took it,
ITS perfectly disgraceful Of you,
and-and-the law" declared she, her
face handsomely flushed now and her
eyes bright with anger. ITS mon
strous that THAT one hasn't any COM
mand over ones own-own person"
You hadn't any command at that
moment" 1 said.
She cast me a fiery glance and bit
her lip as If on something she had de-
cided to suppress. l think she deter
mined at that moment to try diploma
cy.
"Mr. Mallison," she said, earnestly
and very persuasively, putting a hand
on my arm, you will destroy it, won't
you?"
1t was pretty; it was pathetic; 1t al
most succeeded.
But l hardened my heart. "On one
condition." 1 said. slowly, "and it's a
very easy condition. 1 might make
much better terms"
Miss Moreton founced away indig
nantly, and proceeded on my way to
her mother to make my adieus. The
room was fairly empty now, and was
following a little knot of departing
guests into the hall when 1 heard my
name reiterated earnestly and softly.
l turned.
"Mr. Madison, I wish you would
stay just one moment" said Miss
MoretOn. 4" She hesitated,
glanced about the emptying room, and
then moved toward the back of 1t.
where little ante-chamber gave upon
it through wide folding DOORS l fol-
lowed.
you really mean what you say!
she asked suddenly, confronting me.
said that 1 did. Every WELL" she said,
bitterly Its the most atrocious con-
duct of you, and I'll never forgive or
forget it. But"
She angrily tossed open an album on
the table. and at last stopped. l bent
down. and beautiful face on fair
shoulders. crowning a pretty evening
gown, looked at me with charming
smile. l looked at my companion. 1
wished she would smile like that at
me; but even in her anger she was
wonderful Her gaze expressed cold
ness, distance contempt.
Its most magnificent likeness" 1
berathed fervently. "It's-it's divine"
Its said ta be good" said Miss
Moreton. indifferently.
Its the most beautiful picture I've
ever seen." 1 said.
"Do you think so, really?" asked Miss
Moreton.
Its your living, breathing image
that looks out on me-" continued.
"They do take very we'll, as a rule,
those people," said Miss Moreton, af.
fably.
"You can't wonder that want itr' ]
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 a most un.
friendly voice.
l promised, and she graciously help
ed me to extract the photograph from
the album. l buttoned it safely over
my heart In my pocket, but Miss More.
ton, having completed the bargain, OF
course, took no more interest in the
matter. She was gazing 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 asked
anxiously.
"Oh, no." said; 1--WE never printed
it."
"Ohw she said; ''but you said"
"Well, you see, could make out
some patches and foot, but broke It
unfortunately, as was developing 1t. >
Miss Moreton's mouth was firm
"NIr Madison. give me back that pho
tograph," she demanded.
But I'm going to finish the break
age" protested.
"Give it back to me at once" she in
sisted, advancing on me. / was driver
to bay. Besides, the rest Of the room
might hear us.
"I'll give it back If you'll give m,
the original" l said, boldly. but quit,
low.
Miss Moreton paused; she was takel
aback Her face flushed warmly.
"I-you-oh"' she stammered. "Mr
MaIlisonv
.Is IT bargain?" asked. anxious
Iy. holding out the photograph toward
ter
She hesitated. the pretty glow still
on her face. and she was not looking
at me.
"You are-oh, you are dreadful" sh,
said, with a tiny, troubled laugh. But
in that case, perhaps you had bette
keep the photograph"
"On second thought, I'll take both.
I said.-H. B. Marriott Watson in tn
Sketch.
One of the Signs.