The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1907-07-03

4 COlu anu luulltItllls II - btNduoO
She hesitated.
Because" echoed jefferson anx-
lousy. as if his whole future depended
on that reason.
Because / was not sure of myself.
Would it be womanly or honorable on
my part to encourage you unless ! felt
| reciprocated your feelings? You 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 nor he burst out in vigorous
protest. 1T 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 l met you. l want you to be my
wife"
Shirley looked straight up into the
blue eyes so eagerly bent down on
hers, 50 entreatlng in their expression,
and in a 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.
/ like you very much. l more than like
YOU. Whether it is love I feel for you,
that l have not yet determined. Give
me time. My present trouble and then
my literary work.
81 know" agreed jefferson, that
this is hardly the time to speak of such
matters. Your father has first call on
your attention. But as to your literary
work do not understand"
Simply this: l am ambitious. I
have had a little success-just enough
to crave for more. realize that mar
rlage would put an eXtinguisher on all
aspirations in that direction"
us marriage so very commonplace
grumbled jefferson.
Not commonplace, but there is 10
room in marriage for woman having
| 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
hood? 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, literary
reputation. How many literary repu-
tations today conceal an aching heart
and find 1t 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 dimpled
| 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 a literary reputation
I 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
book. Perhaps you are right have
no wish to be a bluestocking and de-
serted in my old age. far from 1t. But
give me time to think Let us first as
certain the extent OF this disaster
which has overtaken my father. Then
! If you still care for me, and If | have
not changed my mind" here she
glanced slyly at him, I'VE will resume
our discussion"
Again she held out her hand which
he had released.
els 1t bargain?" she asked.
ITS a bargain" he murmured, rails
Ing the white hand to his lips. A fierce
! longing rose within him to take her in
his arms and kiss passionately the