Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1906-08-22


the girl.
mo doubt. If 1 had sister like
you. You seem different to me from
other girls, Miss Leeds There is an
air about you that the others don't
have. | can't quite explain what it is.
But it seems to set you apart from the
rest. 1t isn't exactly what 1 would
call dignity. It's something finer"
isn't it largely imagination, Mr..
Halpin?"
mo, no. There Is no imagination
about me. The school in which / was
reared had no use for fancy branches.
I'm hard headed and unsympathetic.
My idol is business. I've done we'll,
too, considering the steepness Of the
road. And I'm going to do better.
There's lots of time. I'm only 80" He
laughed suddenly, a mirthless laugh.
1t must sound queer to you, Miss
Leeds, to have me go on like this about
myself"
You have done WELL Mr.. Halpin.
And I've no doubt you deserve much
credit"
He laughed again.
"You will notice that 1 hold the same
idea," he said.
But are you treating yourself quite
right, Mr.. Halpln"
Better than I deserve, no doubt"
Il think not. It seems to me that
you deserve more rest. You tie YOUR
self too closely to your business. be-
l1eve you would have a much better
opinion Of humanity-and Of Yourself"
He laughed again.
I'll take the rest when can spare
time for 1t. I am to be a partner In
Condit & Co. next month"
That's fine"
Its a secret, OF course, but | want
ed to tell you. l never told woman
secret before"
i think | can prove that It Is safe In
my keeping" said the girl with a little
laugh.
But you are different from the
rest"
That's only your supposition," and
she laughed again.
II like this" said Halpin suddenly.
Like what?"
Talking to you. don't believe I've
ever talked as much to a woman be-
fore. At least, not in this way. Can't
you tell me something about yourself?"
There is very little to tell" the girl
replied. 1--WE always had a pleasant
home, and was given a good educa-
ton. My father died three years ago
and left my mother and me our home
and little money. This and my sal
airy enable us to live very comfort
ably"
"But you must tire of your work
sometimes?"
"Yes, l do. But it pays much better
than art, and that is the only other
work have ever tried"
Halpin drew a long breath.
Miss Leeds he abruptly said, "you
know that I'm queer fellow. Outside
Of my business I'm lost. I've been
thinking hard for the last ten minutes
want to make an arrangement with
YOU"
IAN arrangement, Mr.. Halpin?"
"a one sided arrangement, Miss
Leeds. Don't laugh when you hear. It
came to me when you were working by
my side in that smoky Office. l thought
here Is the partner want-here is the
helper MCCULLOUGH I didn't mean
help Of that kind, you understand. And
so l want you to know that-that some
time am coming to ask you to be nv
wife. Wait, please. This can't i'm
pose any obligation on you. You are
quite free. No one will know but our
selves that there is any understanding
between us. l pride myself on being an
honest man. 1 am not ready yet to
ask you. The thought is all so new
and strange. l never dreamed it could
come to me. Do you understand me?"
She laughed little Historically.
I'm not quite sure" she said. 'This
is my home" And she paused at the
gate.
you are not angry?"
mo"
"And this will make no difference
between us?"
mo"
THANK YOU" He hesitated. "And
and the understanding Is quite clear
to you?"
Good night" said Elizabeth Leeds.
Good night" And John Halpin,
half glad and half angry, passed along.
He was glad he had told her, and an
CRY, too. mo doubt I'm a fool" he
muttered. That's what she must
think me. I'm sure I don't care for her
in that way. And yet SHE'S one girl in
a thousand-I'll stake my life on
that" He struck himself sharply on