Gilpin observer., 1906-11-29
Two Liars Made One.
BY LEONARD w. coNANT.

mSliuS WdlcI vi ile pay anu lHe man
and the woman in it seemed more
occupied with their own thoughts
than with each other-although the
girl, 1t might be noted, ever and anon
gave the man covert glance from
beneath the long lashes. as though
she were trying to read something
in his gloomy face.
beautiful cruise, this he grunted
presently, making several vicious
lunges with the paddle.
The day could not be more per
feet she replied. with that feminine
substitute for sweetness which savors
so much of gall and wormwood.
He swept the canoe along with
strong, measured strokes for several
minutes, the strength of his strokes
being reflected in the savage firmness
of his lips.
IF you have become permanently
tongue-tied you may take me home
she said, presently, pulling her shape
ly hand out of the water where it had
been trailing idly. Il will try to find
a deaf-mute to take me out next time
just for sociability's sake"
Silently he turned the bow of the
craft toward the shore, then pausine
with the paddle resting across his
knees, he looked at her steadily and
said:
Look here. Ethel. what has hap
pened since Wednesday? For the past
three or four days stone wall seems
to have arisen between us. What is
it? Tell me. For heavens sake, lei
us have some sort of an understand
ing. If l have done anything to dis
please you. let me make amends
Only tell me what it is all about"
You seem to have something on
your mind yourself" she replied.
Nonsense he replied, sternly. Il
am as i was week ago. but l do not
seem to be able to get within gun.
shot of you. Now l demand to know
what is the matter"
"Oh, do you, indeed?" she replied
sweetly. Quite dramatic, isn't it?'
He plunged the paddle into the wa
ter again savagely.
There's that lovely new electric
launch of O'Brien's just going in. ]
do wish you would take me down tc
the Point in it. They are going tc
have lovely supper and a dance
there tonight"
He looked at her with mingled re.
proach and dignity.
You know perfectly well that
O'Brien charges 81 an hour for the
launch, he replied, and that | could
not afford to hire it for two hours
IN n ha nio ON
it would take to go to the Point and
hold it over the dance. Besides, the
supper tickets for tonight are So each.
You forget that | am only a lawyers
clerk, although you said you under.
stood it perfectly when you accepted
my ring"
That's right" she replied looking
him coolly in the face. Il did forget,
and l beg your pardon
Il see it all clearly now he broke
out passionately. You are tired of
being tied to poor man and want
your freedom. ! was fool to think
that girl like you could he contented
to be tied to poor devil on a salary
of SIS a week and only the prospect
ahead of being admitted to the bar
after time and then only a chance
of establishing practice And he
dug the paddle into the water with a
vim that sent the little craft spinning
shoreward.
That is all very fine talk she re.
piled. What does II mean?"
1T means that | thought we could
get along very happily until | got my
/ I,.,i
helping some at first. as you said you
| intended to. by sticking to your type
writing" he replied. But | perceive
that the slamor of the world has pos
sessed you. Well, be il so. God
knows 1t has been the dream of my
! life. but / can see it is over now and
| give YOU back your freedom" The
paddle bent under the desperate en-
ergy of his strokes.
The girl looked him squarely in the
eye and a slight sneer played over hei
mouth.
"You really should 20 on the stare;'
she replied, "and | would suggest
melodrama. | do think. however. that
| you should have given me credit foi
more of sense OF perception thar
you did
| He paused and glanced at her In
open-mouthed wonder.
What do you mean he asked
Il see il all very plainly now" IN,
girl went on. You have had youl
summers fun, and the SIMMER bo!ni
about over. you now want 10 free
yourself of the responsibilities Of /;
seaside Irritation and 20 back to th'
city and hraF ah"It your little con
! quest. DO you mink II Guitc Roncl
ous. however. to throw the resronsi
bility of the parting on me2 pcssibl!
you mean It 10 be delicate way Il
soothe my pride--bui the work IS 10,
/ Er+.fF ,....,.. ..r4...