Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1906-10-26


spect for them. or for anything"
! said this that she might protest,
at least for herself. But her answer
was a vague, musing. Il wonder-I
wonder" n
I'm sure you wouldn't" protested
earnestly, for her.
She looked at me queerly.
Can | never convince you that I'm
just a woman" said she mockingly.
Just a woman, and one. man with
your ideas Of women would fiy from. =
Il wish you were," | exclaimed.
"Then-rd find 1t $3.50 impossible to
give you up
She rose and made a slow tour OF
the room, hating on the rug before
the closed fireplace a few feet from
me. ! sat looking at her.
81 am going to give you up" | said
at last
Her eyes, staring into vacancy, grew
larger and intenser with each long,
deep breath she took.
81 didn't intend to say what I'm
about to say-at least, not this even
ing" | went ON, and to me it seemed
to be some other than myself who was
speaking. Certain things happened
down town to-day that have set me to
thinking. And-l shall do whatever |
can for your brother and your father.
But you-you are free!"
She went to the table, stood there
In profile to me, straight and slender
as a sunfiower stalk. She traced the
silver chasings in the lid of the cigar
cite box with her forefinger; then she
took a cigarette and began rolling it
slowly and absently.
Please don't scent and stain your
fingers with that filthy tobacco" said
rather harshly.
And only this afternoon you were
saying you had become reconciled to
my vice-that you had canonized II
along with me-wasn't that your
phrase?" This indifferently, without
turning toward me, and as if she were
thinking of something else.
$50 | have | retorted. But my
mood-please oblige me this once"
She let the cigarette fall into the
box, closed the lid gently, leaned
against the table, folded her arms
upon her bosom and looked full at
me. | was as acutely conscious of her
every movement, Of the very coming
and going Of the breath at her nos.
trils, as man on the operating table
is conscious Of the slightest gesture Of
the surgeon.
"You are-suffering!" she said, and
her voice was like the flow of oil upon
a burn. Il have never seen you like
this. didn't believe you capable Of
of much feeling"
| could not trust myself to speak
II Bob Corey could have looked in on
that scene, could have understood it
how amazed he would have beenl
What happened down town to
day." she went on. "Tell me, If
may know"
'T'll tell you what I didn't think
ten minutes ago. Id tell any human
being" said |. They've got me
strapped down in the press. At ter
o'clock in the morning-precisely al
ten-they're going to. put on the
screws" | laughed. 81 guess they'll
have me squeezed pretty dty before
noon"
She shivered.
$50 you see," I continued, 81 dom
deserve any credit for giving you up
| only anticipate you by about twenty
four hours. Mines death-bed repent
ance."
I'D thought of that" said she re
fectively. Presently she added,
Then, it is true" And knew Sammy
had given her some hint that prepared
her for my confession.
Yes can't go clustering through
the matrimonial market" replied
I've been thrown out. I'm a beggar a
the gates"
"A beggar at the gates" she muir
INJURED.
| got up and stood looking down Al
her.
Don't pity mel" said. MY re
mark was figure OF speech | wan
no aims. | wouldn't take even you Al
aims. They'll probably get me down
and stamp the life out Of me-nearly
But Tot quite-don't you lose sight o.
that They can't kill me, and the!
can't tame me. I'll recover. and III
strew the street with their blood ant
broken bones"
She drew In her breath sharply.
"And a minute ago I was almos
liking you!" she exclaimed.
retreated to my chair and gav'
her smile that must have beer
grim.
your ideas Of life and of men ar
like a clustered nuns" said I. II
there are any real men among you
acquaintances. you may find out som,
day that they're not SO much like lap
dogs as they pretend-and that 20,
wouldn't like them. IL they were"
"What-just what-happened to yo'
down town to-day-after you left mel
"A friend Of mine has been lurinl
me into trap-why. I can't quit,
fathom. To-day he sprang the tral
and ran away"
"A friend OF yours?"