Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-01-22


chance ask for 1t sometimes, but take
| 1t always. I take It,"
Her palor faded under the nood Of
| bright color The blue Of her eyes
| darkened ominously to velvet.
"Mr. Siward" she said very dis
tinctly and slowly, II am not-even-
sorry for YOU
"Then my chance is desperate In
deed,~ he retorted coolly.
Chance! DO you imagine Her
anger choked her.
Are you not little hard? he said,
pallng under his tan. IL suppose wo-
men dismissed men more gently-even
such man as l am"
| For a full minute she strove to com
prehend.
Such man as you" she repeated
vaguely. you mean A crimson wave
dyed her skin to the temples. and she
leaned toward him In horror stricken
contrition. ~ didn't mean that, Mr..
Siward! Ii never thought of that!
1t had no weight 1t was not in my
thoughts. l meant only that you had
assumed what Is unwarranted-that
you - your question humiliated me.
knowing that am engaged-knowing
me SO little-so"
Eyes. knew everything. Ask your.
self why risk everything to say this to
you? There can be only one answer"
Then, after n long silence, Have I
ever" she began tremblingly-'sver
by word or look"
mo"
| Have even"--
mo. I've simply discovered how I
| feel. That's what l was dreaming
about when you asked me. was
afraid I might do this too soon. but l
meant to do 1t anyway before 1t be-
came too late"
ut was too late from the very mo-
ment we met, Mr.. Siward." And. as
he REDEEMED painfully again, she added
quickly, II mean that had already
decided"
And, as he said nothing: You were
a little rough, little sudden with me.
Mr.. Slward Men have asked me that
Question-several times, but never 80
soon, so unreasonably soon = never
without some preliminary Of some sort,
so that could foresee-be more or less
prepared. Hut you gave me no warn
ing. If you had l would have
known how to be gentle. IL wish to
be now"
Still he said nothing. He sat there
listessly studying the sun spots glow
ing, waxing, waning, on the carpet OF
dead leaves at his feet.
"As for what you have said" she
added, n little smile curving the sensi-
tive mouth, Vt is impulsive. uncon-
sidered, a trife boyish. Mr.. Siward.
pay myself, the compliment of your
sincerity. 1t is rather nice to be
girl who can awaken the romance In
man within day or two's acquaint-
ance. We, shall not misunderstood
each other again. shall we?"
He raised his head, considering her,
forcing the smile to meet her own.
I'VE shall be better friends than
ever" she asserted confidently.
Eyes, better than ever"
Because what you have done means
the incest sort Of friendship, you see.
You can't escape its duties and re-
sponsibilitles now, Mr.. Siward. / shall
expect You to spend the greater part
of your life in devotedly doing things
for me. Besides, am now privileged
to worry you with advice. Oh. you
have invested me with all sorts Of
powers now!"
| He nodded.
She sprang to her feet, flushed. smil-
ing, tritle excited.
lis 1t all over, and are we the very
ideals of friends?" she asked.
1.-THE very ideals"
"You are nice" she said impulsively.
holding out both gloyeless hands. He
held them, she looking at him very
sweetly, very confidently. "And you
are content?" persuasively.
"Of course not" he said.
''Then am sorry for you. Look at
thatv turning her left hand in his SO
that the. jewel on the third finger
caught the light.
II see it."
"And yet
"And yet"
''That," she observed, with compo-
sure. "is sheer obstinacy. How can you
really care for me? Do you actually
believe that devotion comes like that?"
EXACTLY like that"
$50 suddenly? 1t is impossible" with
q twist of her pretty shoulders.
"How did 1t come to your he asked
| between his teeth.
Then her face grew scarlet, and her
eyes grew dark, and her hands con-
tracted in his