The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1906-12-13

young lady. under this coarse exterior
1 assure you there's hidden n rather
sharp outlook on human naturc-and
well. nerves that respond to the faint
est changes ga you as do mine can't
BE- altogether without sensitivencss.
What's the other rcason-the reason?
That you think you love some one
clsc?"
Thank YOU for saying II 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 I. III IN OF no consequence"
But you don't understand" she
pleaded earnestly.
ION the contrary. understand per-
fectly." I assured her. And the rea-
son I am not disturbed is--you are here.
and you are not with him."
She lowered her head 80 that l had
no view of her face.
You and he do not marry" I went
or. because you are both poor"
No" she replied.
Because he does not care for you"
'No--not that" she said.
Because you thought he hadn't
A long pause. thcn--vcry family:
"No-not that"
And then q must be because he
hasn't ms much money as he'd like. and
must flnd y girl who'll bring him
what he most wants
She was silent.
THAT II. while he loves you dearly.
he loves money more. And he's willing
To rec you 20 TO another man. be the
wife OF another man. bc--evcrything To
another man" l laughed. I'm take
my chances against love OF that sort"
You don't understand" she muir
murured, You don't realize-thcrc are
many things that mean nothing tn you
and that mean--oh. so much TO people
brought up az we arc"
NONSENSE" said I. What do you
mean by we? Nature has been bring
ing us up for a thousand thousand
years. few years or silly false train
ing doesn't undo her work. IL you and
he had cared for each other. you
wouldn't be here. apologizing for his
selfish vanity"
patiently. lifting her head haushtily.
The point Is. | love him-and always
shall. I warn you"
And I take you Mt my own risk? ?"
Her look answered Yes"
"weir'-and took her hand--'thcn.
we are engaged"
Her whole body grew tense. and her
hand chilled as II lay In mine. Don't
please don't" I said gently. I'm not
as bad as all that. If you viii be as
generous with me as I shall be with
you. neither OF us will ever regret this"
There were tears on her cheeks as
slowly released her hand.
II shall ask nothing OF you that you
are not ready freely to give" I said.
Impulsively she stood and put out
her hand. and the eyes she lifted to
mine were shining and friendly.
caught her In my arms and kissed her
not once but many times And Il was
not until the chill OF her ice like face
had cooled me that I released her.
drew back red and ashamed and STAN
mering apologies. But her impulse OF
fricndiincss had been killed: she once
more. an I saw only too plainly. felt
for me that sense OF repulsion. felt FOR
herself that sense OF self degradation.
can not marry you" she NUT
tered.
You can--and willard must"
cried. Infatuated by her look.
There was long silence. I could
easily guess what was being fought out
In her mind. At last she slowly drew
herself up. Il can not refuse" she said,
and her eyes sparklcd with defiance
that had hate In u. You have the pow
er To compel me. Use IL. like the brute
you refuse TO let me forget that YOU
are" She looked SO young. so beautI-
ful. so angry-and 30 tempting.
so l shall" l answered. Children
have To be taught what is good for
them. Call I'm your mother, and well
tell her the news"
Instead. she went into the nsx. room.
followed. saw Mrs. Ellersly seated AT
The tea table In the corner farthest
from the library whore her daughter
and ] had been negotiating. She was
letter. holding her lorgnon
up To her painted eyes.
Wont you give US tea. mother? 80
said Anita. on her surface no: n trace
~ the cyclone that must stu have been
raging In her.
Congratulate me Mrs. Ellcrsly." said
I. Your daughter has consented TO
marry me-
Instead OF speaking. Mrs. Ellersly
began 10 cry--real tears. And for a
! thought there was a real
heart inside OF her somewhere. But
when she spoke. that delusion vanished.
You must forgive me. Mr.. Black
ock." she said In her hard. smooth.
polite voice. 1T II the shock OF re-
ilizlng I'm about To lose my daughter"
and l knew that her tears were from
Joy and relief-Anita had come up
10 the scratch" the hideous menace of
genteel poverty" had been aVerted.
DO give us tea. mama" said Anita.
Her cold. sarcastic tone cut my nerves
md her mothers like "A razor blade.
ooked sharply at her. aud wondered
whether I was not making n bargain
vastly different from that my passion
was picturing.