Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-04-09

thinking only of you and your future, and fearing weakly that you couldn't bear the hard things. But we'll bear them together-we three; and I'll never say another word about Brookes Ormsby and what might have been"
 70 mother! you are making 1t hard CT than ever now" was the fearful re- joinder. I-there is no reason why I should be so obstinate. I haven't even the one poor excuse you are mak- ing for me down deep in your heart. |"
 David Kent?" said the mother.
 The bowed head nodded wordles6 assent.
 There was tap at the door and servant was come to say that MT. BrooEes Ormsby was waiting in his auto-car. Was Miss Brentwood nearly ready?
 Elinor said, "In minute" and when the door closed, she made confidante of her mother for the first time since her childhood days. ...
 T know what you have suspected ever since that summer in New Hampshire, and 1t is true," she con- fessed. q do love him-as much as I dare to without knowing whether he cares for me- Must I-may I-say yes to Brookes Ormsby without telling him the whole truth?''
 "Oh, my dear! You couldn't do that!" was the quick reply.
 You mean that I am not strong enough? But I am; and Mir. Ormsby Is manly enough and generous enough to meet me halfway. Is there any other honest thing to do, mother?"
 Mrs. Hepzibah shook her head de- liberately and determinedly, though she knew she was shaking the Orms- by millions into the abyss of the un- attainable.
 No: it is his just due. But can't help being sorry for him, Ellie. What will you do if he says it doesn't make any difference?"
 The blue-gray eyes were downcast.
 q don't know. Having asked SD much, and accepted so much from him it shall be as he says, mother"
 The afternoon had been all that summer afternoon on the brown high lands can be, and the powerful tour ing car had swept them from mile to mile over the dun hills like an earth Bkimming dragon whose wing-beat was the maff1ed, explosive thud of the motor.
 Through most of the miles Elinor had given herself up to silent enjoy ment of the rapture of swift motion, and Ormsby had respected her mood, as he always did. But when they were on the high hills beyond the mining-camp of Megilp, and he had thrown the engines out of gear to brake the car gently down the long in- clines, there was room foc speech.
 This is our last spin together on the high plains, I suppose" he said. Your mother has fixed upon to-mor- row for our return to town, hasn't she?"
 Elinor confirmed 1t half-absently. She had been keyed up to face the in- evitable in this drive with Ormsby, and she was afraid now that he was going to break her resolution by dip into the commonplaces.
 Are you glad or sorry?" he asked.
 Her reply was evasive.
 ''I have enjoyed the thin, clean air and the freedom of the wide horizons. Who could help it?"
 But you have not been entirely hap py?"
 It was on her lips to say some con- ventional thing about the constant iarring note in all human happiness, but she changed it to a simple No"
 May try if can give the reason"
 She made a reluctant little gesture of assent; some such signal of &C., quiescence as Marie Antoinette may have given the waiting headsman.
 You have been afraid every day lest should begin second time to press you for an answer. haven't you?"
 She could not thrust and parry with him. They were past all that 4
 Yes" she admitted briefly.
 You break my heart, Elinor." he said. after a long pause. But with a sudden tightening of the lips I'm not going to break yours"
 She understood him, and her eyes filled quickly with the swift shock of gratitude. q
 If you had made study of woman kind through ten lifetimes instead of a part of one, you could not know when and where to strike truer and deeper" she said; and then softly: Why can't you make me love you, Brookes?"
 He took his foot from the brake pedal. and for ten seconds the released car shot down the slope unhindered. Then he checked the speed and an- swerei her.
 "A little while ago would have said didn't know: but now I do know. It is because you love David Kent: you loved him before had my chance"
 She did not deny the principal fact. but she gave him his opportunity to set it aside if he could-and would
 Call it foolish. romantic sentiment. if you like. Is there no way to shame rne out of it.F
 He shook his head slowly.
 You don't mean thatE
 ''But if I say that I do: if I insist that I am willing to be shzned out of IL