Barbour County index., 1907-04-17
CHAPTER XXvI-Continued.
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Possibly" said l, with no dispo-
| sition to combat views based on
| knew not what painful experience.
But l don't care for that sort of lik-
| ing-from a woman, or from a dog"
Its the only kind you'll get" re-
torted he, trying to control his ag-
itation. I'm an old man. l know
human nature-that's why live alone
You'll take that kind of liking, or do
without
Then I'll do without" said l.
Give her an income, and she'll go
I see it ALL You've f1attered her van
ity by showing your love for her
that's the way with women They go
crazy about themselves, and forget
all about the man. Give her an in
come and she'll go.'
Il doubt it, said l. And YOU
would, if you knew her. But, even so,
| shall lose her in any event For,
unless she is made independent, she'll
certainly go with the last of the lit
tie money she has, the remnant of a
small legacy"
The old man argued with me, the
more vigorously, l suspect, because
he found me resolute. When he could
think Of 10 new way of stating his
case-his case against Anita-he said:
You are fool, young man-that's
clear. | wonder such fool was ever
able to get together as much prop
erty as report credits you with But
you're the kind of fool l like
"Then-you'll indulge my folly?"
said 1, smiling.
He threw UP his arms in a gesture
Of mock despair. IF you will have 1T
So" he replied. Il am curious about
this niece of mine. want to see her.
/ want to see the woman who can
resist you"
Her mind and her heart are closed
against me-" said l. And it is my
own fault closed them"
Put her out of your hea1," he ad-
vised. mo woman is worth a serious
mans while"
Il have few wants, few purposes"
said I. But those few l pursue to
the end. Even though she were not
worth while, even though l wholly
lost hope, still I'd not give her up.
couldn't-that's my nature. But
she is worth while" And l could see
her, slim and graceful, the curves IN
her face and figure that made my
heart leap, the azure sheen upon her
petal-like skin, the mystery of the
soul Turing from her eyes
After we had arranged the business
or, rather, arranged to have it ar
ranged through our lawyers - he
walked down to the pier with me. At
the gangway he gave me another
searching look from head to foot
but vastly different from the inspec-
ton with which our interview had
begun. You are a devilish handsome
young fellow" said he. Your pic
lures don't do you justice. And /
shouldn't have believed any man could
overcome in one brief sitting such
prejudice as l had against you. On
second thought, don't care to see
her. She must be even below the aver
age"
Or lar above it." suggested.
i suppose III have to ask her over
to visit me-" he went On. "A fine
hypocrite I'll feel"
You can make it one OF the CON
dltions of your gift that she is not
to thank you or speak of it," said |.
i fear your face wculd betray US, If
she ever did
An excellent Ideal" he exclaimed.
Then, as he shook hands with ME in
farewell: "<ou will win her yet
if you care to-
AS / steamed up the Sound. | was
tempted to put in at Dawn Hill's har-
Dor. Through my glass l could see
Anita and Alva and several Others
men and women, having tea on the
lawn under a red and white awning.
L could see her dress-a violet suit
with big violet hat to match.
knew that costume. Like everything
she wore, it was both beautiful in it.
self and most becoming to her.
could see her face, could almost make
out its expression-did / see, or did
l imagine, cruel contrast to what
always saw when she knew | was
looking?
l gazed until the trees hid lawn and
gay awning, and that lively company
and her. In. my bitterness was full
OF resentment against her, full of self
pity. quite forgot, for that mo-
ment, her side of the story.