The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1908-03-11

and DO what we did made him take a
long walk with me. and told him plain
~ that cared for you. that I was too
selfish and cowardly to marry you. and
that II he couldn't endure the news he
was at liberty TO terminate the engage
ment without notice"
"What di, he say?" stammered ST.
ward.
81 was Informed that he held me
strictly and precisely to my promise;
that he would never release me volun-
tarily. though | was. Of course, at llb
erty to do what I chose. My poor
friend, he cares no more for love than
do II l happen to be the one woman
In New York whom he considers abso-
lutely suitable for hlm-by race, by
breeding. by virtue Of appearance and
presence emlnently fitted to complete
the material portion of bis fortune and
estate"
Her voice had hardened as she spoke.
Now 1t rang little at the end, and she
laughed unpleasantly.
ut appears that was little truer
to myself than you gave me credit for
"a little truer to you, a little less
treacherous less shameless, than you
must have thought me. But / have
gone to my limit Of decency, and were
l ten times more in love with you than
/ am l could not put away the posi-
ton and power offered me, but l will
not lie for II nor betray for It,"
She dropped one arm on the back ct
his chair and rested her chin on It..
staring at space across his shoulders.
That's how 1t had to be, you see.
when ] found that | cared for you.
There was nothing to do but to tel
him. He trusts me enough to marry
me. He will be safe enough as far as
my personal conduct Is concerned" she
added naively. 1T seems that l am
capable of love. but l am incapable Of
its degradation"
Siward, leaning heavily forward over
his desk, rested his head in both hands.
and she stopped from her perch on the
arm Of the chair, pressing her hot
cheeks against his hands-a moment
only; then, slipping to her feet, she
curled up in a great armchair by the
fire, head tipped back, blue gaze con-
centrated on him.
1.-The thing for you to do" she said,
sis to ambush me some night and
throw me into a hanson and drive us
both to the parsons. I'd hate you TO-
1t as much as I'd love you, but I'd
make you al interesting wife"
81 may do that yet" he said, lifting
his head from his hands.
you've a year to do 1t In" she OBJ
served "By the way, you're to take me
in to dinner. as you did the first night.
Do you remember? | asked Grace Fer
rail- then. | asked her again today.
Heigho! 1t was years ago, wasn't it,,
that l drove up to the station and saw
very attractive and perplexed young
man looking anxiously about for some
body to take him to Shotover? Ahem {!
The notorious Mr. Siward! Dear, !
didn't mean to hurt you! You know
1t, silly! Mayn't l have my little joke
about your badness-your redoubtable
badness Of reputation? There! You
had just better smile. How dare you
brighten me by making me think had
hurt your Besides, you are probably
unrepentant"
She waite ed him closely for a mo-
ment or two, then, Are you unrepent
anti"
about whatT
about your general wickedness-
abOut'-she hesitated-"about that gir
for example"
what grip he asked coldly.
"That reminds me that you have
told me absolutely nothing about her"