The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-09-10
THE WALL BETWEEN
BY TROY ALLISON.

Copyright, 1907, by E. C.. Parcells
 T would ask you to marry me-" Ora
 ham said bluntly,- but I can't" Her eyes dilated, but she was quick of wit and action, and her reply came
 without a moments hesitation.
 Indeed? Your attitude pre-supposes
 that I would accept you--if your sys- tematic and well-ordered mind had
 decided upon the asking" ironically.
 "Yes--I think you would" he re- piled rehectively.
 Angry spots blazed on Miss Fenton's cheeks. This is-a little too much from even you;" she gripped the arm of her chair and leaned forward. her blazing eyes looking closely into his s. T have never been able to decide just what manner of man you are--your reticence, your phlegmatic tempera- ment. and your crudeness, are.so for eign to me that they are an unreadSble text. I've thought at times that they might cloak either a vast amount of intelligence and capability-or the lack of it. A large man like you only has to be reticent to make the world think he is a force to be considered-lf he cared to exert himself. I have won- dered at times if your reticence mask. ed a lack--of original thought. But under no circumstances had I imag- ined it hid--colossal conceit."
 Graham's powerful hands, without a trace of the nerve tension in her own, took from her the Japanese fan that she was unconsciously tearing in shreds.
 q am not conceited-but do think that you would marry me-if l could ask you" this in the fashion of a man of little worldly polish. he failed to soften and explain his statement by adding that the desire of his heart was to make her his wife.
 She. Judging without this , inner knowledge, fought as a woman will-- fought to keep it from being known that she has given her love unasked.
 q will admit see no foundation for vour conceit" The ache in her heart goaded her to merciless cruelty. How or why should you think that woman of the world like myself, who has been accustomed to comfort, If not to luxury, should care to marry young physician. without, as yet, a practice? Perhaps, my friend. you took stock of your beaux yeux-they are impressive, III admit. Your broad shoulders and physi- que in general might also be counted assets-but not sufficient to balance the conceit that could imagine l would be content to wear homemade gowns Tn order to admire them a lifetime. r. wno love pretty things-who like ev- erything as dainty as this" taking her chain of pearl beads and holding them before him, letting them slip between her well-manicured fingers. She ued braveIy. stifing the memory of the lit tie joyful plans that had for several weeks fitted through her mind-plans for making a home on his small income when he should ask her to be his wife.
 ,.raham. his face pale, spoke slowly. 'TTnuke myself you are never at loss for words-but think you have said mere than your world would consider courteous" he said tersely
 Her highstrung temperament had reached point where she gave ner nerves free rein. "As far carlng-' she leaned back in her chair ana laugh- ed recklessly. "Ot course your eoheeiI V ould prevent your discovering that l had been amusing myself. The sum mer was long and dull-you were the most available man, and interesting because you Were-less readable than the others. One looks with interest at -an unread book. With such expla- nation, I hope your sorrow that you could not deside tO ask me to marry vou-will not prove crushing. She rose with a little ironical smile that intimated that she was waiting TOT hlm to say goodby.
 Graham lowered above her as he rose.
 '.Marion. I'm crude-as you say-and I am going to tell you that absolutely disbelieve you. You care-as much as l do. I'll admit that you started out with the intention of amusing yourselI and that I met you half way, think ing that you might interest yourself and me at the same time. had no Idea that either of us would learn to care. But we have-both of us-and vet there Is a barrier preventing my asking you to marry me-a wall De- tween-and I don't know that I'll ever be able to get over it"
 She smiled whimsicauy with the sudden change of mood characteristic
 Tell me about it. I'm full of curl osity Is 1t much of a wall. and what kind?
 I'm not at liberty to tell-but it's a rather hard one to scale."
 Glass on top?" Laughter coming back to her face.
 "Figuratively speaking-lots of 1t. Are you a child or woman, Marion that you jumy from one mood to an- other this way
 More of a barometer I suppose But I'm intenTely interested in that wall It sounds medieval. Couldn't you produce rope ladder as nt- ting accompaniment? Or are such he- rotc measures for scallnB opstdCAes only seen on the stage-I never saw one in real life"
 "GirI-there is a serious side to you somewhere-but it's very elusive. It's the serious side I want to talk to now. don't know that I can ever even make an attempt to scale that wall If I felt could do so honorably I would try 1t with my bare hands" His face lit with an emotion she had never be- fore seen In it. Lou will call it con- ceit: but 1t Is--that care so much