Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-12-03

berly, land it hurt. Afterward l kinda
| got it into my head that none Of you
wanted me-"
She looked straight at him. But
one did-one did," she whispered, chok-
| ing.
| He pulled his hands free of his pock-
cts. "One-one," he said huskily.
"Who?'
| And now everything was clear to
her. She knew just what to say. She
had no feelings of self. The duty was
not hateful or embarrassing "Who?"
she repeated. Don't you know, Mr..
Lounsbury? Why, Marylyn."
-"Marylyn," he echoed as if in a puz-
Zle; "Marylyn! You're joking!'
She caught shade of reproach in
that and misunderstood it. II reckon
you won't like her so well now," she
said.
Like her so we'll? don't know
what you mean"
"She-she likes you," stammered Dali
las.
Still he was puzzled. 81 supposed
she didn't hate me-"
But now you know"
There was no mistaking her. Utter
| ly dumfounded, he could not trust an
immediate answer. 81 see. / see,' he
said finally.
"And you'll like her just the same"
He drew u deep breath. His eyes
were on her face. trying to read it in
the dimness. Then, 81 am not cub
boy, Miss Dallas
You won't stay away" she persist
ed. you'll come"
"If Pm judging right, 1 mustn't. I'm
I'm sorry"
"Sorry-just sorryn'
He STROBE back and forth few times.
"Why-why. Miss Dallas. you must
understand that man can't-when a
girl Well it d be low for me to talk
about 1t, that's all-out and out low
Something stirred her powerfully
then-something she combated and con-
cealed from him by a touch of appar-
ent anger. There's nothing low about
it," she said. "A man ought to be
proud. OH" as he was about to reply.
you don't know how she's felt! She's
been sick over it. white and sad, and
at night she'd cry"
He WINGED
And you're just sorry!"
when did you find this out?'
THAT day you drove Matthews
away. She told me-"
He walked about again. Il can't see
why she does he unused pathetically
Il can't remember doing anything"
But you've been so good TO us-even
after the way dad guarded oul
here and sent that land office man
down from Bismarck
He made protesting gesture
"Pshaw-
'oh. yes. you did. And why? Why:
: If you don't care
A long silence followed. During il
, she watched him, her very attitude i'm
ploring, while he continued to pace.
All at once Ire stopped determinedly
'There's reason he said. why
can't do what you ask-ceme to see
Marylyn and-and all that"
Dad? All, he's got to think like
me-"
mo, not your father"
"Maybe"-the bitterness of Mrs
Cummings slight impelled it--"maybe
!, you don't think she's good enough"
Dallas, no, no." He put out hand
to her.
!, She retreated
There's a reason" He let his arm
fall. And it is fair and square. I'm
, proud of it, too, and you must heal
it." His tone was significant, tender.
p No hint of his meaning suggested it
self to her. Then l want to know it.
she said. '.'.',
Il didn't intend to tell YOU" he began
eat least for awhile. When l was a
4 the shack last L made up my mind i
u wouldn't do any good. l said to my
t self, You keep quiet But"-he pluck
q ed off his hat and sent it whirling tt
the gum guess you'll have to know
+ now. Dallas, the reason-is YOU
!. "Me?" The question was cry.
Lounsbury waited, standing yer.
!, still before her. Then, reaching GU
;, again, he touched her hand. You
+ he said quietly.
Again she retreated.
please don't CO." he begged. az wan
), to tell you more, and l want you t,
;. say you believe me- You must believ,
me-"
There was another long silence
:, Presently he went back and picked VI
his hat and gun. al know just wher,
it puts you," he said, "but, just tn,
= same, l love you"
: He was certain now that he hat
earned her displeasure. When h,
spoke again 1t was as one who accepts
= sad tinality. 81 love you, and.
> want you. l hoped you might think
= little of me some day. for 1 believe
:, could make you happy, so it was dis
:, appointing to find out that you hadn'
: thought Of me that way; that 20,
were figuring on seeing me take Mary
" lyn.''
Il never had much idea of marrying
but when saw you that first time
when you came In through the door
you remember-why, then, 1 began t
think. Couldn't helm It," He put OF