Mexico Missouri message., 1906-12-20

understand that I'm not talking idly?"
She tried to evade him and reach the
door, but she was caught again In his
arms--held close to him.
"If you like he shall come in now.
But he's not going to take you away
from me, as he did in that jewelers.
the other highland you can't see him
at all except as you are now"
She struggled to be free.
"Oh, you're so brutal"
Il haven't begun yet"
He drew her toward the door.
"Oh. not that-dop't open it'll tell
him--yes, | Wilt"
"I'm taking no more chances, and
the time is short"
Still holding her closely with one
arm. he opened the door. The man
stared impassively above their heads
craven image Of Inconsistencies.
Jarvis"
Eyes, sir"
Miss Milbrey wishes you to say to
Mr.. Shepler that she is engaged"
THAT Pm ILL.," she interrupted, still
making little struggles to twist from
his grasp, her head still bent down.
''That she is engaged with Mr.
Bines, Jarvis, and can't see him. Say
it that way--'Miss Milbrey is engaged
with Mr.. Bines, and can't see you"
Yes, slri"
He remained standing motlonless, as
he had been, his eyes fixed above them.
But the eyes of Jarvis, from long
training, did not require to be bent
upon those things they needed to OBJ
serve. They saw something now that
was at least two feet below their
range.
The girl made little move with her
right arm, which was imprisoned fast
between them, and which some intul-
ton led her captor not to restrain.
The firm little hand worked its way
slowly up, went creepingly over his
shoulder and bent tightly about his
neck.
Eyes, SIR" repeated Jarvis, without
the CULVER of an eyelld, apd went
He closed the door with his free
hand, and they stood as they were un-
til they heard the noise Of the front
door closing and the soft retreating
footsteps OF the butler.
ooh, you were mean-mean-to
shame me So" and floods of tears
came again.
81 hated to do 1t, but had to; 1t was
a critical moment. And you couldn't
have made up your mind without it."
She sobbed weakly in his arms, but
her own arm was still tight about his
neck. He felt it for the first time.
''But l had made up my mind--I did
make 1t up while we talked"
They were back on the couch. He
held her close and she no longer re-
sisted, but nestled in his arms with
quick little signs, as If relieved from
great strain. He kissed her fore
head and hair as she dried her eyes.
Now, rest little. Then we shall
CO."
1--WE so much to tell you That day
at the jewelers--well, what could do
but take one poor last little look OF you
Ito keep"
Tell me II you care for me-"
"Oh, do, l do, do care for you.
have--ever since that day we walked
in the woods. l do, / dot"
She threw her head back and gave
him her lips.
She was crying again and trying to
talk.
"Rdid care for you, and that day /
thought you were going to say some
thing, but you didn't-you were so dis
tant and troubled, and seemed not
even to like me--though | felt sure
you loved me. / had thought you we're
going to tell me, and I'd have accepted
yes, for the money though / liked
you so much. Why, when | first met
you in that mine and thought you were
workman. I'm not sure / wouldn't
have married you II you had asked me.
But It was different again when /
found out about you. And that day in
the woods | thought something had
come between us. Only after dinner
you seemed kinder, and knew at once
you thought better Of me, and might
even seek mel knew 1t Ia the way
woman knows things she doesn't
know at all / went into the library
with q candle to look into the mirror,
almost sure you were going to come.
Then heard your steps and was SO
glad but II wasn't you'd been mis-
taken again-you still disllked me. /
was SO disappointed and hurt and
heart-sicl and be kissed me- and
s0othed me And after that directly
/ saw through him, and / knew truly
did love you inst as wanted TO love
the man who would be nay husband
only an that nonsense about money
that had been dinned into nae so long
kept me from seeing 4 At frat But