Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1907-07-09

Thought how pretty she was. he won |
dered what she was thinking of, and
suddenly inspired no doubt by the mys-
terious power that enables some people
tn read the thoughts of others, he said
abruptly:
SHIRLEY, can read your thoughts.
You were thinking Of me-"
She was startled for moment, but
Immediately recovered her self posses
sion. It never occurred to her to deny
1t. She pondered for a moment and
then replied;
"You are right, JEFF, | was thinking
of you. How did you guess?"
He leaned over her and took her
hand. She made no resistance. Her
delicate. slender hand lay passively in
his big brown one and met his grasp
frankly, cordially. He whispered:
"What were you thinking of me-
good or bad?"
"Good, of course. How could think
anything bad of your
She turned her eyes on him in won
derment; then she went on:
81 was wondering how girl could
distinguish between the feeling she
has for a man she merely likes and the
feeling she has for man she loves"
Jefferson bent eagerly forward so as
to lose no word that might fan from
those coveted lips.
"In what category would be
placed?" he asked.
II don't quite know" she answered
laughingly. Then seriously she added:
JEFF. why should we act like children?
| Your actions, more than your words.
have told me that you love me. have
known it all along. If have appeared
cold and Indifferent, it is because
She hesitated.
"Because?" echoed Jefferson anx-
iously, as IL his whole future depended
on that reason.
Because was not sure of myself
Would 1t be womanly or honorable on
my part to encourage you unless ! felt
1 reciprocated your feelings? Yov are
young. One day you will be very rich.
| The whole world lies before you.
There are plenty Of women who would
willingly give you their love-"
mo, mol" he burst out In vigorous
protest. TT is you l want. Shirley
you alone"
Grasping her hand more closely, he
went on, passion vibrating in every
note of his voice: 81 love you, Shirley.
I've loved you from the very first even
ing met you. I want you to be my
WIFE"
Shirley looked straight up into the
blue eyes so eagerly bent down on
hers, so entreating in their expression,
and in gentle voice full of emotion
she answered:
Jefferson, you have done me the
greatest honor a man can do a woman.
Don't ask me to answer you now I
like you very much. I more than like
you. Whether 1t is love feel for you,
that l have not yet determined. Give
me time. My present trouble and then
my literary work.
Il know" agreed Jefferson, "that
this Is hardly the time to speak of such
matters. Your father has first call OH
your attention. But as to your literary
work l do not understand"
Simply this: I am ambitious !
have had little success-just enough
to crave for more realize that mar
riage would put All extinguisher OH all
aspirations in that direct on"
"ts marriage so very commonplace
grumbled jefferson.
Not commonplace, but there Ii nc
| in mo Frio 90 n no VIM
personal ambitions of her own. Once
married her duty is to her husband
and her children, not to herself"
THAT is right" he replied; "but
which is likely to give you greater Joy
"a literary success or a happy wife
hood2 When you have spent your best
years and given the public your best
work, they will throw you over for
some new favorite. You'll find your
self an old woman with nothing more
substantial to show as your life work
than that questionable asset, a literary
reputation. How many literary repu-
tations today conceal an aching heart
and find II difficult to make both ends
meet? How different with the woman
who married young and obeys natures
behest by contributing her share to the
process OF evolution. Her life is spent
basking in the affection of her husband
and the chubby smiles of her dimpied
babes, and when in the course of time
she finds herself in the twilight Of her
life, she has at her feet a new genera.
ton Of her own flesh and blood. Isn't
that better than literary reputation p
he spoke so earnestly that Shirley
looked at him In surprise. She knew
he was serious, but she had not sus
pected that he thought so deeply on
these matters. Her heart told her that
he was uttering the true philosophy OF
. the ages. She said:
Why Jefferson, you talk like Q
book. Perhaps you are right 1 have
no wish to be a bluestocking and de
serted in my old age. far from it. But
give me time to think. Let us first a g.