Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1907-04-26

are some things man can't overcome
no matter how hard he tries. and 7
suppose being the son of murderer is
one OF these" He paused and. raising
MS eyes from the carpet, glanced at
her, but her face was averted. He
went on, desperately: Its quite hone
less, but have dared to hope, and
wanted you to know. hate TO leave
things unfinished"
There was a long silence then Miss
Emory said softly:
II am so sorry"
(which means you've never cared
for me-" dryly.
But she did not answer him. She
was wondering how she would have
felt had the confession come forty
eight hours earlier.
Il suppose I've been quite weak and
foolish" said Dan.
She looked into his face with a slow
smile.
''Why do you say that? Is it weak
and foolish to care for some oneT
Wasn't it?' with suddenly klndled
hope, for he found it hard to give her
up.
Miss Emory drew herself together
with a sigh.
81 never thought of this" she said,
which was hardly true; she had
thought Of it many times.
mo" admitted Dan, innocently
enough, for her lightest word had be-
come gospel to him, such was his love
and reverence You couldn't know"
Poor Oakley, his telling Of 1t was the
smallest part Of the knowledge. I
think l see now, perfectly, how great
difference this affair of my fathers
must make. 1t sort of cuts me off
from everything"
1T Is very tragic. 1 wish you hadn't
told me just now" Her lips trembled
pathetically, and there were tears in
her eyes.
1--WE wanted to tell you for a long
time"
II didn't know"
"Of course you couldn't know" he
repeated. Then he plunged ahead
recklessly, for he found there was
curious satisfaction In telling her Of
his love, hopeless as 1t was.
ut has been most serious and sacred
to me. l shall never forget you-never.
1t has helped me in so many ways just
to know you. 1t has changed so many
OF my ideals. can't be grateful
enough"
Miss Emory approvedshis attitude
1t was as 1t should be. She was sorry
for him. She admired his dignity and
repression. 1t made him seem so
strong and purposeful.
"You will find your happiness some
day, Mr.. Oakley. You will find some
one more worthy than l." She knew
he would be insensible to the trite-
ness Of her remark.
NO" generously. that couldn't be.
I'll not find any one. I'll not look"
"Oh. but you will"'
Already. with the selfshness Of her
sex and IL selfishness which was great
er than that of her sex, she was regret
ting that she had allowed him to step
so easily into the position of a rejected
lover
81 don't want you to think 1t is go
ing to ruin my life," he said quietly,
"or anything of that sort"
An appeal to her pity seemed weak
and contemplate.
81 have striven to win what | cant
have, what is not for me and am sat.
isfied to have made the effort"
Miss Emory bit her lip. He was GO
ing to put her out of his life entirely.
II was ended, and he would do his best
TO forget her with what speed he
might, for he loved her and was too
generosity, needless to say was too
altrulstic for Constance to fully appre-
ciate Its beauties. Indeed. she did not
regard II as generosity AT all. She re
sented It. She realized that probably
she would not see him again-at least
the meeting would not be Of his max
ing or choosing. There was TO be no
sentimental aftermath. He was pre-
pairing TO go, like the sensible fellow be
was, for good and all, and she rebelled
against the decree. II seemed brutal
and harsh. She was angry, hurt and .
offended. Perhaps her conscience was
troubling her too. She knew she was
mean and petty.
81 don't think 1t could have been very
serious to you. Mr.. Oakley" she mur'
INJURED, gazing abstractedly from the
window.
81 don't know why you think that
/ can't say any more than | have said.
II includes all" She wanted to tell
him he gave up too easily.
AT any rate, we are friends" be
added
Are you golng?" she cried, with a
ring OF real longing and regret In her
voice. lifted out of herself for the mo-
ment at the thought of losing him.
Dan nodded. and a look Of pain
came into his face.
"Yes. am going"