Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1906-10-26

the whole Of life. the dark as fully as
the light, and that she was capable to
live IT, too. II was not a girl that was
questioning me there; 1t was a
woman. t-
"Yes-Langdon," | replied. But
I've no quarrel with him. My reverse
is nothing but the fortune OF war. |
assure you, when see him again, III
be as friendly as ever-only bit less
OF a trusting ass, fancy. We're a lot
OF free lances down in the street. We
change sides whenever it's expedient;
and under the code it's not necessary
to give warning. To-day, before |
knew he was the assassin, had made
my plans to try to save myself at his
expense, though / believed him to be
the best friend had down town. No
doubt he's got some good reason for
creeping up on me in the dark"
You are sure It was he?" she re-
peated.
He, and nobody else," replied |.
HE decided to do me up-and guess
he'll succeed. He's not the man to lift
his gun unless he's sure the bird will
fall"
DO you really not care any more
than you show?" she asked. "Or is
your manner only bravado-to show
on before me?"
i don't care damn, since I'm to
lose YOU" said |. It'll be a godsend
TO have hard row to hoe the next
few months or years."
She went back to leaning against
the table, her arms folded as before.
saw she was thinking out something.
Finally she said
Il have decided not to accept your
release"
sprang to my feet.
"Anita!" | cried, my arms stretched
toward her.
But she only looked coldly at me,
folded her arms the more tightly and
said:
DO not misunderstood me. The
bargain is the same as before. II you
want me on those terms, must-give
myself"
"Why?" asked.
A faint smile, with no mirth in It,
drifted round the corners of her
mouth.
An impulse" she said. 81 don't
quite understand 1t myself. An i'm
pulse from-from-" Her eyes and
her thoughts were far away, and her
expression was the one that made IL
hardest for me to believe she was a
child Of those parents OF hers. An
Impulse from a sense OF justice-of
decency. am the cause of your trou-
BILE, and ! daren't be coward and a
cheat" She repeated the last words.
"A coward-a cheat We-I-haye
taken much from you, more than you
know. 1t must be repaid. II you still
wish, | will-will keep to my bar.
gain"
IT'S true, I'd not have got into the
mess" said |, If I'd been attending
to business instead of dangling after
you. But you're not responsible for
that folly"
She tried to speak several times,
before she finally succeeded in say.
ing:
IT'S my fault. | mustn't shirk."
! studied her, but couldn't puzzle
her out.
T've been thinking all along that
you were simple and transparent" |
said. Now, see you are a mystery.
What are you hiding from me?"
Her smile was almost coquettish as
she replied:
When a woman makes a mystery
OF herself to a man, it's for the mans
good"
took her hand-almost timidly.
Anita" said, do you still-dis-
like me-"
81 do not-and shall not-love YOU"
she answered. But you are"
More endurable" suggested, as
she hesitated.
LESS uncomfortable" she said with
raillery. Then she added, Less un.
endurable than profiting by a-creep.
ing up in the dark"
1 thought understood her better
than she understood herself. And sud.
denly my passion melted In a tender
ness would have said was so foreign
to me as rain to desert. | noticed
that she had a haggard look. "You
are very tired. child" said |. Good
night l am a different man from
what l was when came in here"
And | a different woman" said
she. beauty shining from her that
was as far beyond her physical beauty
as-as love is beyond passion.
"A nobler. better woman" I en-.
claimed. kissing her hand.
She snatched It away.
III you only knew!" she cried. IT
seems to me. as I realize what sort
OF woman am. that I am almost
worthy OF you!" And she blazed a
look at me that left me rooted there,
astounded.
But I went down the avenue with a
light heart "Just like q woman" | was
saying to myself cheerfully, mot to
know her own mind"
A few blocks, and I STONED and