The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1907-05-02

Dlack ana yellOW WoOuDeckef NAM
mered away.
This is nature, and you are the only
woman | ever saw who would not
make Earring note in the general
motif You seem to be living thing
a biz of nature itself"
"I"s my holidQY-my Playtiiae-an3
If J bubble over WI nonsense you
must lay it to exubcSance of spirit ]
really have serious side, but | don't
want to use 1t while I'm here. When
you leave. try to forget the nonsense
have talked I'm truly ashamed of it,
I'm going to remember every bit Of
It," he avowed sturdily. Il want To
keep my touch of boyhood. l wonder
how much daring and recklessness You
have in your disposition His face lit
up with Il sudden thought.
"IIeaps. quantities. and it has been
smoldering for seven monotonous years
I've been in office until feel like a
latter day Xesuvius I'm longing for
something big and real and exciting TO
happen"
lets make something happen" he
suggested eagerly. You don't know
me except as you see me. | don't
know you except from the vivid i'm
preston of the JOY of living that you
have flashed upon my rather listless
brain. I'd like to keep the touch that
knowing you has added to me. Sup
pose you marry meY" he finished alb
ruptly.
The mass of flowers fell from her
lap to the ground. You are certainly
the most primitive man" she gasped.
do you realize that we are absolute
strangers to each other-that you may
be a professional burglar for all that
know and that have mother that
would prove an awful mother in-lawY
Her eyes were wide open with wonder.
but the corners of her mouth were full
of mirth.
"Think of your longing to do some
thing unusual" he urged. My propo-
sition ought to prove attractive from
that standpoint Mt least"
1T has go its attractive features
hesitatlngly. wharfage is something
my usually intrepid spirit has never
dared I've always been afraid the
man would prove not to be the right
man. have lately become resigned to
the opinion that there is no right man
for me. My affinity has so far failed
to materialize"
II don't know much about affinities,
That's another thing that WAS left ont
OF my curriculum. But do know that
you appeal to me- like this breezy
mountain air. like the crisp rustic OF
the leaves. like the stiffness of these
woods. | can't take all that to the city
with me, but you are a part Of 1t all
part of the Joy of living You radiate
1t. VIII you dare come with me?
She leaned forward and looked him
steadfastly in the eye. "I'll dare" she
said finally. ~ also have reached the
point when ask What does it mat
ter? I will come-lf you want me-"
He held out both hands. and she put
hers into them unhesltatingly.
And you are going to risk it-with
out knowing whether | am profes
sloHHl buiElHI VI tub uilFCi ht
quizzed joyously.
THAT makes 1t more Of an adven.
ture. II stayed In Office a year long
er | would risk going over Niagara
falls In barrel to see II | couldn't ex-
perlence nm emotion. You aren't cab
~ tailored suit he wore-"and | don't
think you are a bartender or floor
walker"
"Do you think you would like to live
on a rancho" The hope that she would
was plainly expressed
Love IT." emphatlcally. Are you .
cowboy perhapsY
Not exactly. own the ranch
He showed the first touch of embar-
rassment 81 know you would never
guess It, couldn't acquire polish II
lived ages. but the boys would send me
here I'm a new senator from the
wild and wooly west"
She lost her vivid color and tried to
take her hands from his.
"And I've treated you like n school
BOY" she gasped Il have guyed you,
leased you. | never would have treated
senator SOL her voice a Mortified
whisper.
II liked it." he said simply. refusing
to let the hands be taken away. 81
liked it-immensely."
"The foolishness and-all?" her color
returning with doubled brillancy.
THE foolishness and all, softly
She looked at him accusingly. Maybe
you are rich too?" She appeared hope
less of fresh surprises and willing to
believe anything.
Yes, but that's not considered Just
cause for forblddlng marriage"
She let her hands rest passiyely, her
serious side for once uppermost
Il can't understand" she said slowly,
why you should care to risk it, why
you should want me, a woman who
never had the opportunity to cultivate
the feminine graces that one expects
from a senator's wife. You could ask
much Of the world. The risk was at
tractlve to me because there was so
little that | could ask or lose. Do you
really want me1"
He stood on his feet and, taking her
hands, drew her beside him.
Look at the mountains in the dis.
lance, the valley below Be still and
listen to the wind In the trees. It's all
nature-the voice of nature. You are
part Of 1t. You are like 1t. The red OF