The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1907-09-21

the comfortable answer. n ElinOr
turned her face to the wall and cried
1t was a week before Mrs. Denham
went home again, and three weeks
more before Elinor was able to be
about the house.
She was sitting by her west window
one afternoon, Mrs. Fairchild having
gone to lie down in the other room,
when she saw John Flint coming up
the path. In a moment he was knock
ing at the inside door. Elinor rose to
open it, and they shook hands for the
first time in their acquaintance.
Well he said, when he had seated
himself opposite her and given her
one Of his searching looks, you have
learned by experience that the human
machine cannot work continuously,
week in and week out, without at last
breaking down"
Il had begun to suspect it some
time ago. But knowing it doesn't do
away with the fact that some human
machines are under the necessity of
working continuously, nevertheless"
And you are going at it AGAIN.
Il have nc choice"
Don't you see that if you keep on
- housekeeping, music lessons.
church singing, practicing an hour or
two a day, rehearsing, taking in sew
ing, farming, travelling to town and
waiting on and caring for your mother
with all the rest-don't you see it is
going to kill you?"
oh, | shall probably hold out as
long as my mother lives. and after
that | don't care. There will be moth
ing left to live for then, anyway
1T isn't natural for a young woman
ike you to feel like that-and you
wouldn't if you had your health"
Wei, l do feel that way, so what
are you going to do about ito
81 am going to save you from your
self. You will object, of course, but
| am used to that"
May | be permitted to know how
my salvation is to be effected?"
lie iUukeu at ner steadily for a mo-
ment, then still looking at her he an
swered slowly:
You are going to marry me-"
In the first surprise of it, Elinor
could only stare at him spellbound.
1T is plain that If you stay here"
he went on, you will die, sooner or
later-probably sooner. You must see
that it is better to live-even to live
u%nhappily. And | shall try to make
you happy-you and your mother. You
are enough acquainted with me to
know that at least | shall not force
my society IN you any more than can
be helped"
Your plan is very-kind," Elinor
said at length in a low voice, but on
the whole l think l prefer death"
You must dislike me even more
than l thought"
Il don't dislike you" she answered
quickly. How could I, when you have
been so kind to me? But"
"Well?"
Don't you think | know how disa
greeable am to you? What contempt
you feel for me?' she demanded hot
ly. You have loaded me with kind
nesses-yes-but you have done 1t a
arms length and because you pitieC
me and felt it your duty to help me
And now you propose marrying me fol-
the same reason, What opinion mus
you have Of me to think for an instant
that would accept such a PROPOSAL
Il am not such a glorifed saint a:
you seem to think" he answered
You are wholly mistaken about me
AS for keeping you at arms length
well, | will admit the s~elf-denia
there"
Il do not understand" she faltered
He sat for some time thinking be
fore he said abruptly:
You have heard of people falling
in love at first sight?"
Yes"
We'll, that was what happened t
me the first time l saw you-and
have fallen out again. Now you
can have no scruples?"
Elinor flushed and her eyes fell.
81 should have very strong scruple,
against marrying a man just becaus,
he could give me a good home" sh,
said in a low tone.
rs it any worse-is it as bad-t,
do that as to commit %suicide?"
She looked up at him again.
IF | marry you it will not be be
cause you can give me a home" sh,
said.
1T is my turn not to understand.
Without explaining, Elinor aros,
suddenly and crossed the room to at
tend the fire, which seemed to requir.
a great deal to be done to it.
John Flint watched the slender fg
ure and the shining braids of BROW
hair.
At last she came slowly and reste,
her arms on the high back Of the chat
she had left. There was a deicat
color in her cheeks and her eve
looked very blue.
Il am waiting to hear the reason
that would induce you to marry me-