Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1907-07-03

where he would strive to forget and
also strive to regain his faith in hu-
mainly. Some time he might perhaps
feel scorn of himself that he could not
scorn her openly and fling her puerile
duplicity in her face.
AS he neared her house he saw with
surprise that II was lighted up. and as
he entered the hall he heard familiar
voices and laughter. She was in haste
then to flaunt her victory and had as
sembled her confederates in readiness.
He set his teeth and resisted the i'm
pulse to retreat, to leave her vainly
waiting, the butt of her triumphant
allies. The humiliation through which
II seemed she designed to drag him
ought surely to be the deathblow to
his love. For that, If for no other rea-
son. he would endure it.
He waited for her in the library,
formulating his speech in the fewest
words possible and the least express
sion of sentiment that would give her
the victory for which she had demean-
ed herself.
II am taking you from your friends"
he began as she entered. II will keep
you but moment. l wish to ask
you
She came to him swiftly with raised
hand.
Hush she entreated. "Say moth
ing. l have confession to make, and
then l want you to go away quietly
and leave town tonight, that none OF
them may know that you have been
here. 1t is the last-but have not
you cannot understand until have
she faltered, her shame dyed face
dropping. Before l met you 1.-The
grill can scarcely voice the shame
less-you had been represented as one
singularly Indifferent to-to-one who
had never been interested enough In
any woman to sue for her favor-it
was predicted that you never could be
brought to the point Of offering your
self-to"-she stammered pitifully and
caught her breath--"I was challenged
to try my power. with exultant proph-
ecy of failure, and it led-to-to silly
wager. accepted the dare-all this
before / had seen you-when / met
you'-again she faltered-"I tried to
withdraw was derided and goaded
constantly with-no, have no excuse
to offer-I am utterly ashamed Of my
self and despise myself as heartily as
you must now you know-and l have
failed. They came Unexpectedly to-
night, the last night of the wager, to
gloat over my failure. Go now and
try to have some pity for silly girl
who did not realize what she was
He caught her hands, interrupting
eagerly. You have not failed, for 1
now make you an offer of my hand.
ask you to marry me-"
She twisted her imprisoned hands
and cried brokenly:
II thank you for your generosity
but you cannot mean it-you cannot
have even respect for one
II mean it from my heart" he broke
in, something in her manner, her hum
BILE face and trembling tones sweeping
away everything but his love for her
and restoring his faith and trust In her.
'From the moment / met you l have
had no thought but to win you to-
think Of what / am guilty." she
whispered tearfully. with shy glance
that made his heart leap.
II can think of nothing but that you
are-you have been sincere, that you
love-
There was rush and commotion in
the hall, with calls for her and an i'm
patient rap upon the door; then it burst
open, disclosing the crowd, and girl
cried, How unfair Of you, Annabelle,
to summon him here at the last mo-
| ment to wiring a.
"Come in, all of you" Annabelle in
terrupted gayly, slipping her hand in
Ordway's, her radiant eyes seeking his.
"come in and congratulate me. Mr..
Ordway is going to buy my gloves in
| the future"