The Washington herald., 1907-09-16
THE WALL BETWEEN.
By TROY ALLISON.

By TROY
I would ask you 70 marry me-" Gra-
ham said bluntly. but I can't"
Her eyes dilated. but she was quick Of
Wit and action. and her reply came with
out a moments hesitation.
Indeed? Your attitude presupposes that
would accept you-if your systematic
and wen-ordered mind had decided upon
the asking" ironically.
"Yes-I think you would" he replied
rehectively.
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 mis-. L have
never been able 10 decide just what man
ner of. man you are-your reticence, your
phlegmatic temperament. and your crude
ness are so foreign to me that they are
an unreadable text I've thought at times
that they might cloak either a vast
amount of intelligence and capability-or
the lack Of Il. a large man Ike you only
has 10 be reticent TO make the world
think he is a force 70 be COnsidered-if he
cared 10 exert himself. have wondered
at times # your reticence masked a lack
Of original thought. But under no circum-
stances had I imagined it hid-colossaI
cOnCeit-"
GTaham's powerful hands. without a
trace Of the nerve tension IN her own,
took from her the japanese fan that she
was unconsciousIy tearing in shreds.
7 am not c0nceited-but 1 DO think
that you would marry me-if I 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 knowI-
edge fought as a woman will-fought to
keep IL from being known that she has
given her love unssked.
I viii admit I see no foundation for
your conceit." The ache in her heart
gOaded her TO merciless cruelty. How
OF why should you think that a woman
of the world like myself. who has been
to comfort, If not 70 luxury.
should care TO marry a young physician
without. as yet, a practice? Perhaps. my
friend. you took stock Of your beauN
yeux-they are impressive III admit
Your broad shoulders and physique in
general might also be counted assets
but not sufficient 10 balance the conceit
that could imagine I would be content 10
wear homemade gowns in order 20 ad-
F.Hf -H-1aH #rsI
things-whO like everything as dainty as
this" taking her chain of pearl beads |
and holding them before him. letting
them slip between her well-manicured |
fingers. She lied bravelv, sitting the /
memory Of the little joyful plans that /
had for several weeks fitted through her /
for making a home on his /
small income when he should ask her TO 1
be his wife.
Graham. his face pale, spoke slowly. |
Unlike myself, you are never at a loss |
for words-but I think you have said
more than your world would consider |
courteous" he said terseIy.
Her high strung temperament had /
reached a point where she gave her /
nerves free rein. "As far as caring"
she leaned back in her chair and laughed |
"Of course your cOnceit would /
prevent your discovering that I have been
amusing myself. The summer was long
and dull-you We're the most available |
man. and interesting because you were
less readable than the others. One /
OOks with interest at-an unread book.
With which explanation, I hope your sOr-
'Ow that you could not decide TO ask me
% marry yOu-will not prove crushing"
She rose with a little irOniCal smile that
that she was waiting for him
O say good-by.
Graham lowered above her as ne rose.
Marion, I'm crude-as you say-and
am going to tell you that I absolutely
.isbelieve you. You care-as much as !
10. I'll admit that you started out with
he intention Of amusing yourself-and |
hat l met you half way. thinking that
-ou might interest yourself and me at the
anne time l had no idea that either Of
Is would learn to care But we have
10Th of us-and vet there is a barrier
reveRting my asking you 20 marry me
wall between-and I don't know that
II ever be able to get over IT,"
She smiled whimsically, with the sud
en- change Of mood characteristic Of her.
Tell me about It, I'm full Of curiosity.
s it much Of a wall, and what kind?"
I'm not at liberty to tell-but it's a
ather hard one to scale"
"Glass on top?" Laughter coming back
o her face.
"Figuratively speaking, lots Of It. "Are
OU a child or a woman, Marion, that
ou jump from one mood to another this
7ay?"
More Of barometer, I suppose. But
m intensely interested in that wall. II
ounds medieval Couldn't you produce
rope ladder as a fitting accompaniment?
II are such heroic measures for scaling
bstacles only seen on the stage-I never
aw one in real life"
'Girl-there Is a serious side to Won |
Dmewhere-but it's very elusive. It's the
srious side I want 20 talk 10 now. I
ont know that I can ever even make
n attempt TO scale that wall II I felt 1
could do so honorably. I would try it {
ith my bare hands" His face lit with 7
n emotion she had never before seen. In
You viii call Il conceit; but II is q
lat I care so much that l don't want :
]u to wait for me. II I never get the
nance to try to climb the wall TO reach
)u"
She put her hand on his impulsively.
But you want to Gomez she asked.
More than anything on EARTH" he said.
I'd his face grew whittier
Considering the WALL think you had