Milford chronicle., 1906-01-12

It takes me to the other side of ths
continent. l have not actually decid-
ed, but l shall doubtless accept it. In
deed, l can scarcely afford not to for
several reasons"
He did not look at her. and she was
thankful for even that small sign Of
perturbation on his part A quick reso-
luton seized her. 1t was leap year
blessed thought-and why should not
a woman, once in thousand years or
so, stand up and demand her own as
fearlessly and directly as a man would
doI Had she not, by every vile that
woman may use, tried to make him ac-
knowledge his love for her? Never
neyer-never would he ask her to mar
ry him because Of her millions. Well,
then, she would ask him!
The first tumult of her resolution
over, she felt a strange exhilaration.
Even the thought that inuuded itself
like a specter between them-the pos
sibility that she might have mistaken
bis feeling toward her-did not deter
her.
If she were rejected? Well, she had |
rejected number of men in her day, !
and there would be a certain poetical /
justice in his melting out to her what
she had meted out to theml
While these thoughts were racing
through her mind she had touched the
bell
Remember, Smithson, / am not to
be disturbed" she threw over her
shoulder to the butler.
You might light a cigar if you have
'ne about you," she suggested whim-
iically. 1T would be a favor to me if
-ou would. Men are always more ap-
when they're smoking,
rent they?"
Askew smiled assent and complied
7ith her request. Then he paused
nth the lighted cigar between his fin
ers and gave her a long look, which
he returned unhinchingly. With an
fort she began to speak.
Duncan" she said bravely, 81 have
to tell you. Perhaps not an
her woman in the world would do it.
nd perhaps you'll hate me for it,
Hate your he interrupted in voice
hose derisive incredulity was music v
her ears. Hate you! 1 can imag- ol
e a good many things, but not that"
'Welr'-her voice was slightly un-
rtain, but her eyes looked into his -
thout wavering-"you see, there is
or rich girl-a girl who has loads of
)ney and who just hates it because 7
is always cutting her off from all pla
: things and people she cares for ass
Poor tlingl sighed Asllew mock
.ly. what a pity she can't divide
II mer' -
That's just what she wants to do II
ped from her lips. "She wants to ]
e it all to you. You see-I-Tm
aking for her She isn't in the habit
saying things like this to men, and
doesn't know exactly how to do
But she wants you to know that
thinks you the one man in the 4
Id; that her faith in you is so great
she even dares to tell you that
es-yOu-DOnald-b because she
ws that if she has made a mistake
you do not care for her you will
S truthful with her as she has been
you"
maid Askew sat as if stupefled,
e the struggle between pride and SOU
went on within him. To be point
'ut as the man who married the
Miss Vance. to have 1t said of him -
he had feathered his nest well
: and kindred possibilities rose up ~
is mind and CALLED his spirit be-
endurance.
en- his vision cleared, and he saw
ng, was conscious OF nothing in
world but a proud, sensitive face
ed with womanly shame. Before
vision his pride went down, and,
ig forward, he buried his face in
ap. A moment later her lips IF v,
ed his hair.
] a brute, a perfect brute" he
ed, ito have made you do it!p
u're the brute l love, though" ASUI
he whispered answer.