The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1906-07-17
The Hero
Who Ran Away



left the train with a sigh of immense
relief Ho was in Paris, and in Paris
he could breathe and think, and per-
haps make up his mind as 20 what was
to be done at the present crisis OF his
life.
Anyway, am freed from the greet.
the overwhelming temptation OF her
presence" he thought, as he walked
moodily about the hower-scented
streets. "a man gets so little chance
OF thinking clearly In woman's pres
ence. or II she Is within easy distance
Of him. If I'm going TO fight this thing
out it must be away from her She"
Maxwell stopped suddenly -thought
and step alike came TO a summary con-
clusion. He was dlmly conscious that
he stood at the corner of the Rue
Royale. and that he was shaking hands
with his friend Lady Ravensrode, IRON
whom in some vague fashion the
spring morning had suddenly borrowed
new charm of light, shade, color and
scent
Major MAXWELL" she exclaimed,
"But why should one be surprised2
Paris is so very much next-door now
adays Let me see-it was night be-
fore last that we met wasn't it2'
Il think So" said Maxwell Ii
camo over yesterday Dover and
Calais, you know-on business"
Il came over yesterday, too, said
Lady Ravensrode "FolGstone and
Boulogne, you lnow-also on business.
My business is-frocks."
Maxwell stroked his musiache. lie
became conscious of the presence OF
Lady Ravensrodes maid lowering at
discreet distance. also of the inter-
est which was being created in the
minds and eyes Of the passers-by, who
| glanced at the English woman's gra-
cious figure, coppergold hair. and VIZ
vacious beauty, with unmistakable ad-
miration He looked - Lady Ravens
rode, first furtively, then with a Gu
rious determination in his bronzed
face
Send your maid away" ne said
"The frocks am sure, can wait little.
IL want to talk to you. The fact
is, I'm in a bit-nO, l mean a good
deal--of hole, and want your ad-
vice"
Lady Ravensrode obeyed this per-
emptory order without a murmur.
They sat down on a rustic seat under
the refreshing shade trees OF the
Champs Elysees
Maxwell began tracing strange
shapes in the gravel at his feet; he
knitted mis- brow and pursed up his
lips, and Lady Ravensrode watched
him with tiny smile at the corners
of her mouth. Presently he looked
up, regarded her with stony stare,
and said
THE fact is that I've run away
run away? With whom?'
"That." said Maxwell, lis feminine,
but silly. ran away to think"
"Oh." she said, blankly.
'Well. I'll tell you the TRUTH he
said, I'm running away from wom-
an"
That she replied. rs exactly what
! should expect OF you
He looked quickly and suspiciously
at her.
"Ahl" he exclaimed "Then you do
think me a ooward?'
Il didn't say 50, she said. rs she
pretty?"
Maxwell raised his eyes and stared
at her.
"Pretty?" he said. "she-why. she
is the most beautiful woman In the
world"
The honesty and simplicity OF his
tone were so evident that her inquir-
ing eyes dropped before his.
"she is TO be congratulated that
you are so fond of her" she said
softly.
"Ah, but then. she doesn't know he
answered. THE thing is--ought tc
tell her? That's what / want to know
That's the question / want to decide
Oh, I'm horrible coward about it,
IF you love her" said Lady Ravens
rode, "yoa certainly ought to tell hei
OF your love for her It's wrong moi
10; it's wicked"
Wrong? Wicked? Why?" he de
manded, with signs Of great surprise
Lady Rayensrode turned her fact
toward him and studied him witt
dancing eyes and tghtly-close,
mouth. Maxwell frowned still more
gloomily.
"Nhy DO you look at me like that?'
he asked. Il know you're Laughing
at me, right away down In your heart
and / want to know why. Yol
see. sometimes think John Max
we'll. youn be the lackiest man ol
earth if you can win her-try you
lucki' But again / think: Nonsense
don't make a fool OF yourself, and
Lady Ravensrode Interrupted hin
quickly
"What, by marrying her2' she said
Good heavens. MOI answered Max
well. mo, but by thinking that sh
would consent to marry me. You sec
it's here She's young, and beauti
ful, and rich, and she Is 50 much ad
mired that she might choose a hus
band amongst the greatest-she Nigh
{ marry a really great man"
Every man is really great in IA
] eyes Of come woman, said Lad
I RavensrOde.
But consider am AZ years q
: aEel said Maxwell