The Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1903-1909, 1906-11-20

had HOrtenSe Heaton made up her
mind to definite action; and 20 times,
of course, she had allowed her
thoughts to yacillate backward to the
old doubt, the old indecision. 1T is
so supremacy Ridiculous she said to
herself, softly. And the complaint
seems so absurd and SO difficult to
form into words. | can't tell Robert
that he doesn't love me enough. His
alteration is too evident in his eyes
for me to doubt it, but I'm not a mar
BILE image and | don't want to be
adored as ii | were an angel. | know
I'm not. | know I'm just ordinary
flesh and blood, but Robert doesn't
seem to think SO. I've tried every
way | can think of to convince him,
but it's no use"
Miss Hortense flung herself face
downward on the most tempting piece
of furniture In the room, burying her
pretty nose In the very middle Of a
pillow stuffed with fir balsam. She
did not attempt to keep back the tears
which forced themselves to her ador-
able blue eyes or to choke down the
sobs which c~onyulsed a throat as
dainty and fair as any models.
What would Robert say If he could
see me now?' she thought, a smile
like sunshine In the midst of summer
rain flashing across her face, Just
because we're both college bred, he
thinks he must act differently than
other people. And he was so ready
to believe my jest about the danger
of microbes in kissing, that I've never
been kissed once since we became
engaged. He says ~hugging's a dem
onstration of parliamentary affection,
and laughs at holding hands as
something peculiar to the lower class
es. Well, I'd just like to have a little
documentary affection, and If some
body doesn't hold my hand pretty
soon, why, I'm just going summing"
Having finished her cry, Miss Hor-
tense felt decidedly better. She sat
up and began to fling soft pillows
into new positions with athletic vigor.
THE ideal" she exclaimed, sharply.
Il don't see what makes Robert so
stiff and prim. He's a good deal
like an old maid since he got those
horrid degrees of A. M. and Phi. d.
What good will they do him, anyway?
He's got the money to have a good
time without them; and If he hadn't 1t
now, he could share mine as oon as
we're married. | guess dad will give
me enough for both. AS it is, | can
truthfully say I'd rather have been
born without "a silver spoon in my
mouth, If all the silver spoon is 60
ing to bring me is a man gone daft
against kissing and hugging and hold
ing hands. Being engaged to a man
like that is what u Mamie would
call the raw limit
Her brain formed a mental picture
of Robert Rouin, A. NJ. Phi. D., tall
and athletic of figure, clad in perfect
fitting evening clothes, just as she had
last seen him. Severity sat Centaur-
like upon his Gibson-modeled face, but
IL WIS the SSFCllly VI uou6ht
Why" continued the girl, indig-
nantly, cant he cast it off for a few
minutes when he is with me? He
loves me; l don't doubt that. But it
is like the terrible admiration of Zeus.
1t is as If a god were making love to
a mortal, half fearing to sully him
self by touching the inferior being.
I'm sure Robert hasn't that feeling,
but that's exactly what it's like
Miss Hortense recalled the fact
that her unsatisfactory fiance had
won his varsity letter on the foot
ball eleven. She also summoned to
mind several stories of his athletic
ability which had not a little inhu-
enced her decision when she had to
make up her mind whether to say yes
or no to the great question which
comes at least C to every girl,
Since his classmates had sepa-
rated and scattered to the four cor
ners of the earth, Robert Rouin, A.
M, Phi. D., had been continually, :
though unconsciously, demonstrating
the difference which existed between
himself and Robert Rouin, right tackle
of the varsity eleven, 1t was, per-
haps, accounted for by the fact that
his mind had turned to eve and
scaver channels; that he was con-
aronted by obstacles of infinitely great
err difficulty and moment; and that,
being always set and obstinate and
~perseveringly stubborn in his way, he
was bound to surmount them.
NOW, what shall | writer Miss
Hortense asked herself, dipping a
pearl handled pen into the cut glass
ink well at ner right hand. T. She
poised the pen above the paper for
u moment undecidedly. Then she
ioid ~ down earelessiy not noting