The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-04-25

six thousand. Montana Is regaT0eo dS lii0
best grazing country in the world. but we
don't eat that sort OF stuff in New YORK.
That's why i costs more to live here
MONTGOMERY BREWSTER
st before leaving his apartments
for Miss Drew's home he received this
response from faraway Montana:
Butte, Mont. Oct. %, l..
Montgomery Brewster. New York:
We are 5000 feet above the level of the
sea. T suppose that's why it costs US less
to live high. ,. 1O->Ho'
81 was beginning to despair, Monty
said Miss Drew reproachfully when
he had come down from the height OF
his evaporation and remembered that
there were things Of more importance.
The light in his eyes brought the
faintest tinge of red to her cheeks, and
where q moment before there had been
annoyance there was now a feeling OF
serenity. For a moment the silence
was fraught with purpose. Monty
glanced around the room, uncertain
how to begin. It was not so easy as ne
had imagined.
.sYou are very good to see me-" he
said at last. 'It was absolutely neces-
sary for me to talk to you this evening
I could not have endured the suspense
any longer. Barbara, I've spent three
or four sleepless nights on your ac-
count. Will it spoil your evening If l
tell you in plain words what you al
ready know? 1t won't bother you, will
it?' he foundered.
"What do you mean, Monty" she
begged. purposely dense and with Won
derful control Of her eyes.
81 love you, Babs," he cried. Il
thought you knew about it all along
or should have told you before. That's
why I haven't slept. The fear that
you may not care for me has driven
me nearly to distraction. 1t couldn't
go on any longer. must know to-
day"
There was a gleam in his eyes that
made her pose of Indifference difficult.
The fervor Of his half whispered words
took possession Of her. She had e3-
pected sentiment Of such a different
character that his frank confession dis
armed her completely. Beneath his
ardent, abrupt plea there was assur-
ance, the confidence Of one who is not
to be denied. It was not what he had
said, but the way he had said it. a
wave Of exultation swept over her, tin
Cling through every nerve. Under the
spell her resolution to daily lightly
with his emotion suffered a check that
almost brought ignominious surrender.
Both Of her hands were clasped In his
when he exultingly resumed the charge
against her heart, but she was rapidly
regaining control Of her emotions, and
he did not know that he was losing
ground with each step he took for
ward. Barbara Drew loved Brewster,
but she was going to make him pay
dearly for the brief lapse her COM
posure had experienced When next
she spoke she was again the Miss
Drew who had been trained in the
ways of the world, and not the young
girl in love.
81 care for you a great deal, Monty" ;"
she said, but I'm wondering whether
I care enough toto marry you
eve haven't known each other very
long, Babs," he said tenderly. 'but l
think we know each other well enough
to be beyond wondering.
1T is like you to manage the whole
thing" she said chidingly. Cant You
give me time to convince myself that I
love you as you would like and as 1
must love if I expect to be%appy with
the man I marry?''
81 forgot myself" he said humbly.
''You forgot me- she protested gen
tly, touched by this sign OF contrition.
81 do care for you. Monty. but don't
you see it's no little thing you ask Of
me? I must be sure-very sure-before
I-before'-
Don't be so distressed he pleaded.
"You will love me, l know, because
you love ne now. This means much
20 me, but it means more to you. You
are the woman. and you are the one
whose happiness should be considered.
I can live only in the hope that when
I come to YOU again with this same
story and this same question you'll
not be afraid to trust yourself to me-"
You deserve to be happy for that.
Monty" she sad earnestly, and it
was with difficulty that she kept her
eyes from waveTing as they looked into
his.
You will let me try to make you
love me-" he asked eagerly.
81 may not be worth the struggle
.I'M take that chance he replied.
She was conscious OF disappointment
after he was gone. He had not pleaded
as ardently as she had expected and
desired, and, try as she would. she
could not Danish the touch of irritation
that had come to haunt her for the
night.
Brewster walked to the club, elated
that he had at least made a beginning.
His position was now clear. Besides