The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1905-02-23
THE END OF IT

against the background Of dull sky
ard gray water his figure seemed al
most heroic. Despite his clothes of
conventional cut there was something
suggestive of the bronze age about
him-some hint Of rugged, primitive
strength. Miss Desboro realized sud
denly that the mask of conventional
restraint had been thrown aside and
that there stood before her all of the
rugged, primitive man that lay beneath
that mask.
to laugh Now there was a strange
sensation Juggling at her heart but
whether it was pity or fear she could
not tell. This was The stage Of the
game she generally found most enjoya
ble-this climax, where she always eX-
pressed her surprise and sorrow and
bound UP the wounded heart with the
balm Of good sisterly advice She
had particularly enjoyed the anticipa-
ton of giving this sisterly advice to
IVandyne. but somehow the realization
Ibade fair to fall short of the anticipa-
Ition. VandyneS eyes seemed to search
the secret corners of her SOUL and be-
meath that calm, stony scrutiny she
was stunned and helpless. She seemed
to 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 ike this. You have thoroughly
mastered all it's fine points,
She looked up with an appealing
glance That same appealing glance
had saved the situation for her manly
times before this. But for once it failed.
The primitive man before her was I'M
moved by its eloquence.
do you think you are quite fair to
me?" she asked, with an attempt at
hauteur that fell pathetically fiat.
Vandyne smiled slowly do you
think you have been fair to me?" he
said
The girl pulled her gloves nervously.
81 don't know what you call fair"
she said. ''You grasp at straws. You
take possibilities for certainties.'
Vandyne laughed harshly I'm other
words, | 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
trifer.'
The girl sprang to her feet, her eyes
lablaze.
'You are going too far, Mr.. Vandynew
she said heatedly. You are saying
things quite beyond bounds of courtesy
,or-or decencyw
Vandyne was unmoved by the out
burst. He looked at her with a calm
that was almost contemptuous.
4 IT am not speaking with the inten-
ton of being courteous or decent. l
am simply stating the truth as see it.
If it hurts, 1 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 a 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, l think you'll admit, are
rather hard to understand sometimes"
said he
The girl turned from him. II am 60
ing back to the house, she said. 81
had hoped we might be friends; but,
since we can't, perhaps it's best not to
try"
She started to walk away, but Van
dyne's voice stopped her.
wait a moment" he said CURLY.
''You shall hear a few things / have
ito say before you leave"
She turned. "Well?" she asked wea-
lrily.
Il want to say that it is such women
as you that make isogynists-women
who lead men on to laugh at them and
make sport of them" He paused.
Us that ALL" she asked coldly.
Il have known little, very little, of
women in my life," ne went on, land
have always placed them mentally in
shrine as something holy and sacred.
Perhaps | should thank you for unde-
ceiving me-"
She turned away again. Vandyne
could not see the tears in her eyes.
Its an i'll wind that blows no good"
he went on cruelty. cat least you
have taught me that what seems to be
and what is are very different mat
tiers. That is all. Permit me to con-
graduate you again, and-goodby''
He turned on his heel and strobe
down the bank toward the water The