The Sauk Centre herald., 1908-02-27


quiet, and Miss Ellery isn't, just t.
say, restful person"
She looked unenlightened. But yOl
love people who are not restful"
II don't always love to be will
them
"Am | restful?'
She asked it with her look and tone
of wistfulness which he was learning
to watch for in talking to her.
''If told rou YOU were. what infer
ence would YOU draw: YoI are such
an alarmingly logical little person one
has to be wary or be trapped into al
sorts of admissions one wouldn't dream
of making
"Is it a commendation to be told YOU
are 'restful:' would suppose that
people who count for something in or
lives do not rest US. They stir us
She spoke with evident feeling Sure
ly, surely, she was not thinking Of
Abe! He would not believe it.
"And we like to be stirred, don't
live for-to. experience moments or
hours Of thrilling sensa tons
Does Miss Eilery make You expert
ence thoseT
'Those"
''Moments or hours of thrilling SEN
sations?"
His shoulders shook with soundless
laughter. But he pulled himself to-
gether. Il have reason to believe she
would if she could
He read in her open countenance
that he spoke in enigmas. But he did
not offer to explain. He vaguely Won
dered why she seemed to want TO talk
of Miss Ellcry with her own exciting
story so freshly put to her.
He watched her without speaking.
as, looking away from him, she tOyed
thoughtfully with her apron strings
Presently she drew long breath.
lifted her hand to push strand of
hair from her forehead and again
rested her eyes upon his face.
II don't even know my own namew
she said. Even that must learn
from you. What is it?'
II understand you have always been
called Eunice Morningstar?''
"Yes."
"Will you have patience with me?
/ don't want to tell you even that just
yet"
"Will it be long before you tell me?"
~ will tell you everything just as
soon as possibly can. know it must
be maddening to you to be put off like
this, but 1t is out of consideration
for you (for no other reason) that |
want to postpone telling you some
things"
II will wait"
'Thank y0u-for your trust in me-"
$50 many things puzzle me- though"
necessarily"
II can't see why Mr.. and Mrs. Morn
fngstar have thought it necessary to
keep the story of this room from me-
How could it have harmed them to let
me know?''
'They have kept it from you because
there was one phase of it which, from |
their standpoint. it was very necessary
that you should not know. 1t was for !
fear that you should hear this from
the neighbOrs that they have always
Kept you Isolated. Listen to me, Eu-
nice. When that woman died the sum |
of $4,000 was found pinned to your |
dress; it was of course manifestly to
pay those who should take care of you.
The Morningstars kept this fact from
you, making believe YOU owed them
great debt for their charity toward
you
Eunice gaZed at him in amazement,
an intensified excitement in her eyes.
II am not, then, under the least OBJ
legation to them"' she said breathlcss-
ly. 1T is this, then, which Abe has
meant by his many insinuationS that
If l knew certain thing he knew
would defy his parents. | never
dreamed of anything like this. Then
! am free-free and not slave!'
$50 then" he abruptly asked, unable
to repress the question that sprang to
his lips, "you will defy them and mar
~ Abe? 1t has been your supposed
obligation to them that has held you
back from doing what they disapprov-
ed?"
She looked at him, an expression in
her eyes that was inexplicable to him.
She did not answer him. Suddenly
her lashes dropped, and to his con.
sternation he saw two great tears roll
Uver ner race. Her relauon Win ABE
was actually a matter Of deep feeling.
It was, to he sure, not more impossi-
bic than everything else about her.
There might be plenty Of excuse for
her being in love with Abe in view of
her lifelong environment, but he felt
an Intolerance, almost a disgust, with
L that rather dampened his enthusi-
asm in champiOning her cause. She
1idn't seem worth while If she were
capable Of that. At the same time her
distress gave him an impulse to go to
her, child that she was, take out his
and wipe away her tears.
Being kind to her was a luxurious
pleasure, she was so grateful for kind
ness. But he felt the need Of restrain
ng himself. He abruptly asked her a
question.
"Why do you bear it so meekly when
Mrs. MOrningstar browbeats and in
suits you before other people too?
Why do you ALLOW her tor"