The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-12-17
BY ELEANOR GATES,
coPYRIcHT. 1eOe pY r4ecLURE pHILLIps 4 cor1pANY.
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Author OF THE Biography Of Prairie Girl.

I'm sorry"
"Sorry-just sorry
He strobe back and forth a few times.
'fWhy-why, Miss Dallas. you must
understand that a man cant-when a
girl Well, it d be low for me to talk
about 1t. that's aIl-out and out low"
Something stirred her powerfully
then-something she combated and con-
cealed from him by a touch Of appar-
ent anger. There's nothing low about
It." she said "A man ought to be
proud. Oh" as he was about to reply,
you don't know how she's felt! She's
been sick over It, white and sad, and
at night she'd cry"
He WINGED.
"And you're just sorryp'
when did you find this outT'
THAT day you drove Matthews
away She told me-"
He walked about again. 81 can't see
why she does, he unused pathetically.
II can't remember doing anything"
But you've been so good to us-even
after the way dad guarded out
here and sent that land office man
GOWN from BISMARCK
He made protesting gesture.
"Pshawp'
"Oh, yes, you did And why? Why?
If you don't care
A long silence followed. During it
she watched him, her very attitude I'm
ploring, while he continued to pace.
All at once he stopped determinedly
There's a reason" he said, why l
can't do what you aslR-come to see
Marylyn and-and all that"
Dad? All, he's got to think like
me"
NO, not your father"
"Maybe"-the bitterness of Mrs
Cummings slight impelled maybe
you don't think she's good enough
Dallas, no, nor He put out a hand
to her.
She retreated
There's a reason" He let his arm
fall. And It is fair and square. I'm
proud of it, too and you must hear
it," His tone was significant, tender
No hint Of his meaning suggested it
SELF to her. Then 1 want to know 1t"
she said.
Il didn't intend to tell you" he began,
Eat least for awhile. When 1 was at
the shack last l made up my mind it
wouldn't do any good. 1 said to my
self, You keep quiet But"-he pluck
ed Off his hat and sent it whirling to
the gum guess you'll have to know
now. Dallas, the reason--is you"
'Me?" The question was a cry.
Lounsbury waited, standing very
still before her. Then, reaching out
again, he touched her hand. YOU"
he said quietly.
Again she retreated.
please don't CO." he begged. IT want
to tell you more, and l want you to
say you believe me. You must believe
me-"
There was another long silence.
Presently he went back and picked up
his hat and gun. ~ know just where
1t puts you" he said, but, just the
same, l love you"
He was certain now that he had
earned her displeasure. When he
spoke again 1t was as one who accepts
a sad fnality. Il love you, and
want you. l hoped you might think q
little of me some day, for l believe
could make you happy, so it was dis
appointing TO find out that you hadn't
thought of me that way; that you
were figuring on seeing me take Mary
lyn"
II never had much idea of marrying,
but when l saw you that first time
when you came in through the door.
you remember-why. then, I began to
think. Couldn't help it" He put on
his kat and lifted the gun to his shoul-
der Il even wrote mother about you
he said
He was unprepared for the answer
she gave him. for 1t was an answer.
Without speaking. she buried her face
in the curve Of her arm and. as if
seized with an ague, began to tremble.
"Dallssr' be whispered tenderly.
'Oh, my dear girl I'm so glad. SO
glad! You will-you do?"
But he found himself pleading into
space.