Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1906-10-05

FRESH AIR IN A GREENHOUSE.

XIII.
FRESH AIR IN A GREENHOUSE.
At five the next day rang the e.
lersly's bell, was taken through the
drawing-room into that same library.
The curtains over the double doorway
between the two rooms were almost
drawn. She presently entered from
the hall. admired the picture she
made in the doorway-her big hat. her
embroidered dress of white cloth, and
that small, sweet, cold face of hers.
And as | looked, | knew that nothing,
nothing-no, not even her wish, her
command-could stop me from trying
to make her my own. That resolve
must have shown in my FACET or the
passion that inspired it-for she
paused and paled.
What is it," l asked. Are you
afraid Of me-"
She came forward proudly, a fine
scorn In her eyes. NO." she said
But if you knew, you might be afraid
of me-"
Il am" confessed. 81 am afraid Of
you because you inspire in me feel.
ing that is beyond my control. I've
committed many follies in my life-I
have moods in which it amuses me to
defy fate. But those follies have al.
ways been Of my own willing. You
| laughed-"you are a folly for me-
But one that compels me-"
She smiled-not discouragingly-
and seated herself on a tiny sofa in
the corner, a curiously impregnable
intrenchment, as noted-for my i'm
pulse was to carry her by storm. l
was astonished at my own audacity; |
was wondering where my fear of her
had gone, my awe of her superior fine
ness and breeding. Mamma will be
down in few minutes" she said.
81 didn't come to see your mother"
replied |. Il came to see you"
She flushed, then froze-and
thought had once mere got upon"
her nerves with my rude directness.
How eagerly sensitive our nerves are
to bad impressions of one we don't
like, and how coarsely insensible to
bad impressions Of one we do like!
81 see I've offended again, as usual"
said |. you attach so much impor-
lance to petty little dancing-master
tricks and caperings. You live-al-
ways have lived-in an artificial at
mosphere. Real things act on you like
fresh air on dollhouse flower"
You are-fresh air?" she inquired,
with laughing sarcasm.
81 am that" retorted |. "And good
for you-as you'll find when you get
used to me-"
I heard voices In the next room
her mothers and some mans. We
waited until it was evident we were
not to be disturbed. AS | realized
that fact and surmised its meaning,
looked triumphantly at her. She drew
further back into her corner, and the
almost stern ,firmness of her contour
told me she had set her teeth.
Il see you are nerving yourself"
said with laugh. "You are perfect
ly certain l am going to propose to
you"
She famed scarlet and half-started
up.
Your mother-in the next room
expects 1t, too" l went on, laughing
even more disagreeably. Your par
ents need money-they have decided
to sell you, their only large income
producing asset. And | am willing to
buy. What do you say!"
was blocking her way out Of the
room. She was standing. her breath
coming fast, her eyes blazing. You
are-frightful!" she exclaimed In a
low voice.
Because am frank, because | am
honest? Because | want to put things
on a sound basis? | suppose, IL
came lying and pretending and let yos
lie and pretend, and let your parents
and Sam lie and pretend. you would
ind me-almost tolerable. Well, I'm
not that kind. When there's no spe-
cial reason one way or the other, I'm
willing to smirk and grimace and dod-
der and drivel, like the rest of your
friends, those ladies and gentlemen.
But when there's business to be trans
acted. | am business-like. Let's not
begin with your thinking you are de.
ceiving me. and 30 hating me and de.
spising me and trying to keep up the
deception. Let's begin right"
She was listening; she was no
longer longing to fly from the room;
she was curious. knew l had scored.
In any event." | continued, you
would have married for money. You've
been brought up to II. like all these
girls OF your Get You'd be miserable
without luxury. II you had your choice
between love without luxury and luz