The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1907-03-08

Why didn't you warn me?"
Dear woman, did; and you told
me to mind my own business"
She family colored.
Il am sure never was so rude
mot in these blunt words, I admit;
but you drove it home Now what
can l do for your"
In the circumstances it was an ex-
traordinary, even a terrible question.
The occasion to which she had refer
red in her letter was one on which
he had asked her to marry him, and
she had declined Her allusion to it,
she had imagined, would be sufficient
She colored painfully, and drew her
self up.
Il don't hncw why | wrote to you
/ am sure, except that l felt desper-
ate, and wanted a friend" she said
family.
Well, am your friend, he answer
ed steadily. But I can't be purchased
at such a price"
What can you mean?" she asked
quickly
What l say. You would marry
me, Joan, because there is no other
way out But what would become Of
us both? | love you as devotedly as
ever, but will not make shipwreck of
both our lives Believe me, if | were
to take you at your word, your last
end would be worse than your first
| can wait or / can endure: but l
couldn't face that, my dear
Sharply reproached, she had not a
word to say She had held him too
cheaply. He began to rise in value
in her eyes, in proportion as he seem
ed to become inaccessible.
But / am your friend; you have ac-
corded me the privilege, and l am go
ing to take you in hand. You give up
this fiat at once; let it, or do what
you will; and you go abroad. l know
of a little house near Dinard, where
you will be welcome, and where you
can recover your bodily and mental
health. And you will stay there until
give you leave to quit"
AT whose expense? have twenty
eight shillings in the whole world"
Mine"
He spoke the word quite ruthlessly
What does it matter? have
money, there is no one to spend it on.
God knows how gladly | will give you
the very little you require. Payment!
There cannot be any question of that
between you and me. Don't you see
it will be something for me? Not
much, but something; it will make
perhaps a little bond"
mo-" she cried quickly. Not
bond, a debt which would weigh upon
me. l can't do it,
Il am sorry you feel like that. |
don't think l have deserved it, Joan.
l have efraced myself"
She walked to the window. drew
aside the yellow blinds, and looked
out. The river flowed sluggishly, the
whole city seemed to languish in the
burden and heat Of the day. She
stood there so long in silence that at
last he spoke again.
If you don't do as say, what can
the end be?' he asked gently. You
will break down completely; then
there is the hospital and Heaven
knows what. 1t is an economic uues-
ton you are to solve If there is no
other way, in Heavens name let it be
a debt to be paid. | will make the
arrangements tomorrow, and you will
leave England on Saturday."
She turned round to him at length.
and there was something different in
her face.
She took step across the little
room and came quite near to him.
You haye-you have something I did
not know OF" she said brokenly. IF
it is debt to be paid, take me in pay
ment if you still care. 1t is the only
way"
But, Joan, it would be for life-and
you told me so plainly that it would
never be possible"
Il did not know myself, she answer
ed" l will go to Dinard if you take
me" she added; mot unless. Let it
be a debt, and take me in payment"
Nay, for how can there be debt
between husband and wife, Joan, can
there?"
Il don't know" she answered. but
there was that on her face, the ex-
preston Of the awakened heart, which
told him the debt would be paid in
full-British Weekly.