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

NV
FRESH AIR IN A GREENHOUSE.
At FIVE the next day rang the Ellcr-
Iiy'B bell, was taken through the draw
ting room into that same library. The
curtains over the double doorway be
tween the two rooms were almost
drawn. She presently entered from the
hall. l admired the picture she made
IN the doorway--heT btg hat. her en-
broidered drCgs OF white cloth ana mat
small, sweet cold face OF hers. Ana
an I looked. l knew that nothing. moth
ing--no. not ever her wish. her COM
nand-could stop me from trying TO
make her my own. That resolve must
nave shown la my FACET or the pas
zion that inspired it-for she pruscd
and paied.
what is III" l asked. Are you
Vfraid OF me?''
She came forward proudly. inc
scorn In her eyes. NO" she said. But
" you knew. you might be afraid or
me-"
II mn" I confessed. Il ann afraid 81
you because you inspire in me feel
ny that ~ beyond my control. I've
committed many follies In my life
I have moods I'm which u amuses me TO
Sefy fate. But those foilies have nj
ways been OF my own willing. You
II iaughed-"you are "a folly for me.
s3ut one that compcls me"
She smiled-not discouragingly-and
seated herself on n tiny sofa In the
.orner, curiously impregnable In
trenchment. as noted-for my Impulse
was TO carry her by storm. | was as
Aonished at my own audncity: j was
wondering where my fear of her had
gone. my awe OF her superior nneness
and breeding. Mama will be down
N n few minutes" she said.
ct didn't come To see your mother"
replied I. II came TO see you"
She flushed. then froze-and l Thought
Z had once more got upon" her nerves
with my rude directness. How eagerly
vensitiyc our nerves are To had Inn
oressions OF one we don't know. and
how coarsely insensIbic TO bad impress
Sions OF one we do like!
IT see I've offended again. as usual"
said l. "You attach 80 much Import
ance to petty little dancing-master
tricks and caperings. You itve--always
have lived-ln an artificial atmosphere.
Real things act on you like fresh air on
a dollhouse flower"
"You are--fresh air7" she inquired.
with laughing sarcasm.
81 am that" retortcd I. And good
for you-as you'll find when you set
ssed to me
heard voices In the next room
her mothers and some mans. We
waited until IL was evident we were
rot TO be- disturbed. Az I Realised that
fact and surmiscd It's meaning. l looked
triumphaniiy 1T her. She drew furth-
or back into her corner. and the AL
most stern tlrmncss OF her contour told
me she had set her teeth.
II see you are rcrNlng yourself" said
with n laugh You are perfectly
certain ! am going TO propose To you"
She fiaricd scarlet and half started
mp
.'You- mo;hcr-!n the next room--ex-
poets ~. too" I went on. laughing ever
more disagrccabiy. Your parents need
have decided TO sell you.
sheir only large income producing as
set. And ] am willing to buy. What
DO you say2''
was blocking her way ont OF the
room. She was standing. her breath
coming fast. her eyes blazing. You
are-frightful," she exclaimed iu II low
voice.
Because arm frank because ! am
honest? Because l want To put things
on n sound basis? suppose. " came
lying and pretending. and let you lie
and pretend. you would find mc--Glmost
tolernbie. Well. I'm not that kind.
When there's no especial reason one
way or the other. I'm willing to sTnirk
like the rest OF your friends. those
yadles and gentlemen. hut when there's
business to be transacted. ! nm bus
tness like. Let's not begin with your
thinking you are dcCciving me. aud 30
hating me ana dcspisirg me and try
sng To keep up the deception. Let's be-
gin right"
She was listening she was no longer
longing TO rs from the room. she was
n I hAA
+. ~ any event" ] continued" you
would have married for money. You've
been brought up TO ~. like all these
Girls Of your set. You'd be miserable
without luxury. II you had your
choice between love without luxury and
luxury without love. it'd be ms easy Ia
foretell which you'd 10 as to- foretell
now q starving poet would choose be-
tween loaf OF bread and volume al
poems You may love love. but you
love iife--your kind OF lifc--bctter,"
She lowered her head 1t IN true"
she said. 1t Is low and vile. but II Is
true"
"Your parents need money" | be-
gan.
Don't blame them" she pleaded. Il
are more guilty than they"
I was proud of her ns she made that
You have the making OF
a real woman ia you said I. II should
have wanted you even IL you hadn't
But what I now see makes what I
folly OF mine look more like
wisdom"
II must warn you" she said. and now
she was looking directly at me. II shall
never love you"
Never is long time. replied I. I'm
old enough to be cynical about prop
hccy."
II shall never love you" she repeated
For many reasons you wouldn't un-
dcrsfnnd. For one you will under
stand"
II understand the many reasons you
Say a-e beyond me-" said I. For dear