The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1908-09-10
CHAPrER Nv.

chnn bat he had 10 make the best OF
now-perhaps consoling himself with q
reflection that he would not stand
after their marriage. l can imagine hin
promising himself 70 break her in an
bring her to meek submission IN the FL
ture. Pity those poor souls who MARI
a bully they have teased beforehand!
Il think this is scarcely a time 70
badinage," said he. after a pause. still
looking upon the ground and tracing tn
pattern Of the carpet with the lash Of hi
whip. II know l am not perfect: bu
you must admit that allowances shoult
be made for a fellow under the influences
of-of emotion
Il am willing to admit that mar
under that condition is not responsible
for his actions-is that enough"
IF you admit that. what am 20 IN
derstand BY your present attitudef You
seem to forget what took place before
went away"
But I do not You made me an offer
Of marriage: but am wrong in thinking
that you made that under the influence
of emotion? / absolve you from respon-
sibiIity for action under that condition
May not suppose that you were beside
yourself when you made that proposal.
and overlook the mistake as readily as
that you have committed SINGER
at was not a mistake. Gertrude
loved you then as I love you now have
come here this afternoon to ask you again
If you will have me. faulty as l am-yet
an honest fell0w-and be my wife"
Nurse Gertrude was not greatly moved
with this speech. which had very little
appearance Of depth and sincerity in ii.
despite the quavering Of that manly voice
May 1 ask why you have thought II
Necessary to ask me second timer she
asked. trying to tx his shifty eyes, and
learn the truth from them
wen. your manner seems to imply
that you consider the engagement broken
or"
Il did think Il broken or Had 1 not
reason TO think s0f'
~Oh. yes: the way l spoke TO you and
little Laure was objectionable"
He caused and looked down again to
escape from her fathoming eyes He had
probably thought that there would be lit
tie difficulty m his way. and that he could
just reconcile Gertrude, if she should re-
sent his siience, with a few words or
kiss or two, and without going into any
more vexatious explanation than mere
avowal Of manly weakness under trying
circumstances DIR. Awdrey had told him
to confess the truth, and conceal nothing.
adding that a woman would forgive the
man she loves anything except duplicity-
But Lynn, in his own conceited. pig
headed way, had fully relied on his own
cleverness: his contempt for women In /
general disposed him to tell them no more /
than was necessary. He would rather
have avoided an explanation which. i
though it presented a certain attraction
In being antruthfnI, would require a good
deal Of boistering up to support his as
sumption Of honesty and generosity How
ever, be had bungled so disastrously In
his own attempt. that be saw no escape
from his dilemma but by acting now on
AEdrey's suggestion.
The fact is.~ said he. changing his
tone with slash at his leg, Il was pur-
posely brutal TO little Lanre and you
i wished you to take ofenss and relieve I
me from the engagement"
THAT Is what | thought was the ,
only construction l could put upon your |
behaTior," said she. 9
4AEG 1uL IOu Noa4CA WAtAl ny It1A~ \ 4
son WAS viii tell you can't conceal !
the truth. and I know well enough that {
heres nothing loving woman viii not b
'orgive. except duplicity." v
A new warmth gIowed IN Gertrude's d
leart- She liked those words: they were n
sood and rue-it never struck her that &
hey might be DIR. Awdrey's- 3
Il knew that through Keene's delay
vas ruined-that / bad nothing whatever j
o expect from my uncle's will 1 knew Il
hat / must no longer cherish the thought =,
( making you my wife, in debt and pen n
iless as was. and-but there, you can NJ
imagine the rest"
You wanted to give me the opportu-
ity Of breaking the engagement, before it
light appear that our separation was due F
D mercenary considerations on my part. OF
'h, that was generous exclaimed Nurse Il
Gertrude, carried away By her own impuI- 81
i've and generous recognition Of an IN b
elfsh-nay. a chivalrous motive on his NJ
art All my warning was forgotten in Il
q instant. Il,
II did not want to tell you this be n
lid. in tone that seemed to discIaim
~ merit to gratitude. iii
But you wronged me, Lynn" she said II
wronged me. to think / SCI
light wish to break the engagement BE- co
luse you were less rich than you ex-
scted to be when you made me an Offer foi
She held out her hand to him frankly. an
I'd he took H. II he had been wise be
lough to tell her all that had passed be- bu
Teen him and Awdrey, she would have "
en- his without doubt. In return for an SO
'en avowal, she would have swept aside I'M
, warning and all prudential con- he
ierations. put the best construction on pit
) motives. and scorned to entertain any cor
spscion Of mercenary motives which pr
Ight be suggested By his conduct. Now an
Is tho time for him 10 spring up and inc
Il bis arms around her: but be hung tina
ck. the dot. With that perverse idea con
a girls mental lnferiority, be thought vic
had told her enough. Possibly be was the
noyed In being forced to abandon his wo
n way OF winning her. and act upon one
vdrey's moro generous and manly ad- plu
e. Perhaps. believing that she was bea
xious 10 get him, he thought he might ing
at her with little indifference as a FIRE