Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1906-08-29

our relations?" he said, huskily.
Our relations?" repeated.
YES" said he. "In what relation
would you say we stood to one an
other now?"
II don't know what you mean," said
1, laughing nervously. What does it
matter? Why?"
He lowered his voice to an Irritating
drone. Has 1t never struck you that
l stand in a somewhat ambiguous po-
sition?" he said.
| l looked at him in frank amaze
ment.
Look here" he said with an air OF
real desperation, don't you think it
would be better for us both If did
not call here any more?"
''Of course" said l, with creditable
hauteur, "if you don't wish to come
"B.lt do" he protested.
Then why talk of not calling any
more?" said l.
Cant you see," he said, with a
helpless gesture Of the hands. that
that misconceptions may arise?"
Misconceptions" repeated, In
genuine perplexity now.
YES" he nodded eagerly. "You see,
we have been good deal together.
between a man and woman as we
have enjoyed is apt to prove fatal to
the peace of mind of one-at least
of the parties concerned"
Then, indeed, perceived the whole
mean, pitiful vanity of the creature.
He actually thought that was in love
with him. Any spark of conjunction
died in that instant. l felt could be
| quite merciless.
81 understand now" interposed
quickly. And 1 can't say how sorry
1 am. IL didn't think. have been
lish-selfsh-blind! 1 Alike you,
you see. 1t has been entirely my
fault. feel that now, absolutely"
mo. no, 1t was my fault" he cried,
taking my bait ravenously. II should
have effaced myself sooner"
l raised my melting eyes to his. II
| GIL E,Aoa"oo 5iuo- ocAu
~ should have missed many joyous
hours II you had Please don't think
me heartless. Pleasant memories are
so precious. shall always remember
our friendship kindly, for the sake
of those hours" And choked back
most artistic sob.
you forgive me, then" he breath
cd, catching at my hand and missing
X.
lifted my head sharply. as if be-
wildered. Forgive you!" 1 cried
What have to forgiven"
You are too generous" he muir
INJURED. you overpower me-"
81 am deeply sorry" quavered, "if
l have caused you pain. To forgive
you for loving me would be too alb
surd. What higher honor could you
pay me?"
he said. 81 cannot help it If have
changed. No man is master of his
own heart. Il"
| was very effectively amazed. do
you mean" exclaimed, that you
| you don't care now?"
Surely" said he, you can't have
misunderstood me That is what
have been trying to say"
hope looked like Bernhard as
replied slowly: Il did not understand
that"
He rose. bent my face close to
| hN col IN ha1 hot hn
was beginning to wonder If. after all,
he had gagged me quite accurately. l
knew that his mind was fumbling
holplessly after solution of the eng
ma presented to him. When my
silence had lasted for what must have
seemed to him an intolerable while,
he spoke again, doubtfully.
II knew you would forgive me-" he
sighed.
Then sprang up, raising radiant
eyes to meet his gaze.
II am glad!" almost shouted. -Oh,
you can't tell how glad ami"
"Glad!" he stammered, foolishly.
| clasped my hands. Il have been
dreading so frightfully to see you,"
said. Il have been miserable in an
ticipation of this moment. Think
what relief it is to me to find that
you don't care. after all"
Then l saw dull anger stirring slug
| gishly within him.
Don't you care, either, them" he
demanded, sullenly.
"Of course not cried in a rap
ture. Il can say that now without
fear of hurting you. Perhaps l did
care-a llttle-once. Before met Mr..
Cosnett."
Hescowled at me. you almost gave
me to understand" he said, frown-
ing.
But interrupted him. "And we
were both mistaken all the time!" l
cried. "Oh, what a good job it is
isn't it?--Andi we can still be friends.
And you can congratulate me-"
paused. He had kicked hassock
out of the way and was mumbling I'M
intelligibly to himself.
Come" said, you should be glad,
too"
II am" he answered. "Of course,
am. Still, didn't think you were
the sort of girl"
"Fie!" said with provoking play
fulness. I'm our peculiar case re,
proaches are surely sword-blades
without handles. All you can say OF
me l can say of you, too-and with
equal Justice"
think he muttered an oath os he
stopped, with flaming face, to pick
up his hat.
''Good-by," l said to him heartily.
II must introduce you to Basil-Mr.
Cosnett. l should like you to be-
you ought to be-friends."
He grinned at me spitefully, said
"good-by, Miss Lacey" as if he were
cursing me, then stalked out of the
room.-Edward Pugh in the Sketch.
i