Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1906-10-05

the reason? That you think you love
some one else?'
Thank you for saying it for me-"
she replied.
You can't imagine how pleased |
was at having earned her gratitude,
even in so little matter. Il have
thought OF that" said l. 1T is of no
consequence"
But you don't understand" abe
pleaded earnestly.
"0n the contrary, understand per.
fectly," | assured her And the rea-
son ! am not disturbed is-you are
here, you are not with him."
She lowered her head so that had
no view Of her face.
"You and he 10 not marry" | went
on, because you are both poor?"
NO" she replied.
Because he does not care for your
"No-not that" she said.
Because you thought he hadn't
enough for two?"
A long pause, then-very family:
"No--not that"
Then II must be because he hasn't
as much money as he'd like, and must
lind girl who'll bring him-what he
most wants"
She was silent.
That is, while he loves you dearly,
he loves money more. And he's will
ing to see you 90 to another man, be
the wife Of another man, be-every-
thing to another man." laughed.
I'll take my chances against love Of
that sort"
You don't understand" she muir
INJURED. you don't realize-there are
many things that mean nothing to you
and that mean-oh, so much to people
brought up as we are"
Nonsense" said |. what do you
mean by We? Nature has been bring
ing US up for thousand thousand
years. A feN years Of silly false train
ing doesn't undo her work. II you and
he had cared for each other, you
wouldn' be here, apologizing for his
selfish vanity"
mo matter about him." she cried
impatiently, lifting her head haught-
lily. THE point is, | love him-and
always shall. | warn you"
And take you at my own risk"
Her look answered "Yes!"
WE'LL took her hand-"then,
we are engaged"
Her whole body grew tense, and her
hand chilled as it lay in mine. Don't
please don't" | said gently. I'm
not so bad as all that. II you will be
as generous with me as I shall be
with you, neither of us will ever re-
greet this"
There were tears on her cheeks as
| slowly released her hand.
81 shall ask nothing Of you that you
are not ready freely to give" said.
Impulsively she stood and put out
her hand, and the eyes she lifted to
mine were shining and friendly. I
caught her in my arms and kissed her
not once but many times. And 1t
was not until the chill Of her ice-like
face had cooled me that released
her, drew back red and ashamed and
stammering apologies. But her i'm
pulse of friendliness had been killed;
she once more, as saw only too plain
ly, felt for me that sense Of repulsion,
felt for herself that sense Of selfdeg-
radiation.
81 cannot marry you!" she NUT
tered.
You can-and willard must" I
cried, Infatuated by her look.
There was a long &lence. I could
easily guess what was being fought
out In her mind. At last she slowly
drew herself up. 4 can not refuse"
she said, and her eyes sparkled with
defiance that had hate in II. "You
have the power to compel me. Use
1t, like the brute you refuse to let me
forget that you are" She looked so
young, SO beautiful. so angry-and 30
tempting.
SO I SHALL" | answered. Children
have to be taught what Ia good for
them. Call in your mother. and well
tell her the news"
Instead. she went into the next
room. I followed. saw Mrs. Ellersly
seated at the tea-table in the corner
farthest from the library where her
daughter aud I had been negotiating.
She was reading q letter. holding her
lorgnon up to her painted eyes.
Wont you give US ten, motherr
said Anita. on her surface not trace
Of the cyclone that must sim have
been raging In her.
Congratulate me. Mrs. EllersIy."
said L Your daughter has consented