Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1907-11-19
The Wall
Between.
By TROY ALLISON.
1901, BY E. c. PARCELS.


Il would ask you to marry me-"
Graham said bluntly, "but l can't"
Her eyes dilated, but she was quick
of wit and action, and her reply came
without a moments hesitation.
Indeed? Your attitude presupposes
that would accept you-if your sys-
tematic and well ordered mind had de-
cided upon the asking" ironically
Yes. think you would" he replied
refiectively.
Angry spots blazed on Miss Fenton's
cheeks. This is-a little too much
from even you" She gripped the arm
of her chair and leaned forward, her
blazing eyes looking closely into his.
II have never been able to decide just
what manner of man you are. Your
reticence, your phlegmatic tempera-
ment and your crudeness are SO for
eign to me that they are an unreliable
text. I've thought at times that they
might cloak either a vast amount of
intelligence and capability-or the lack
of it, A large man like you only has
to be reticent to make the world think
he is force to be considerable he
cared to exert himself. I have Won
dered at times If your reticence
masked a lack-of original thought.
But under no circumstances had l i'm
agined it hid-colossal conceit."
Graham's powerful hands, without a
trace of the nerve tension In her own,
took from her the Japanese fan that
she was unconsciously tearing in
shreds.
81 am not concelted, but l do think
that you would marry me-if 1 could
ask you" this in the fashion of man
of little worldly polish. He failed to
soften and explain his statement by
adding that the desire of his heart was
to make her his wife.
She, judging without this inner
knowledge, fought as a woman will
fought to keep it from being known
that she had given her love unasked.
81 will admit see no foundation for
your conceit" The ache in her heart
goaded her TO merciless cruelty. How
or why should you think that a woman
of the world like myself, who has been
accustomed to comfort, If not to lux.
ury. should care to marry a young ply.
stefan without as yet practice? Per
haps, my friend, you took stock OF
your attractions. They are impressive
I'll admit Your broad shoulders and
physique in general might also be
counted assets, but not sufficient tC
balance the conceit that could imagine
would be content to wear homemade
gowns in order to admire them a life
time-I, who love pretty things, who
like everything as dainty as this" TAX
ing her chain of pearl beads and hold
ing them before him. letting them sliE
between her well manicured fingers
She lied bravely, sitting the memory
of the little joyful plans that had fol
several weeks fitted through her mind
plans for making home on his small
income when he should ask her to b
his wife.
Graham, his face pale. spoke slowly
Unlike myself you are never at lost
for words, but / think you have said
more than your world would consider
courteous" he said tersely.
Her high strung temperament had
reached point where she gave hel
nerves free rein. "As for caring =
she leaned back In her chair and laugh
ed recklessly-"of course your con
eeit prevents your discovering that
had been amusing myself. The sum
mer was long and dull. You were tn
most available man and interesting be
cause you were-less readable than tn
others. One looks with interest at
an unread book. With such exphna
ton hope your sorrow that you eoul'
not decide to ask me to marry 20
will not prove crushing" She rose
with a little ironical smile that int
mated that she was waiting for hir
to say goOdby.
Graham lowered above her as ne ross
Marion. I'm crude. as you say, an
I am going to tell you that | absolutel
disbelieve you. You care-as much
do. IN admit that you started o.
with the intention of amusing yoursel
and that I met you halfway, thfnkin
that you might interest yourself al1
me at the same time. had no ide
that either Of us would learn to carr
But we have-bOth Of us-and -
there Is a barrier preventing my asl