Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1908-10-31


"Are you not surprised that / did not
90 also?" she asked. You offended
me, you know. but l stayed because /
want to talk with you"
How charming" Millar said, with
gentle sarcasm.
Perhaps you know my nickname
saucy Elsa 2" said the girl warningly.
"Oh, yes"
"Then you should know that your
Chesterfieldian amer embarrass
me-" Elsa said impatiently as Millar
bowed again before her. II have Sc
lected you to deliver a most impudent
message to that crowd in there be
cause you are so perfectly impolite."
Il am entirely at your disposal, ma
demoiselle."
"How can I be impudent. though.
when you are SO polite to meT' she
cried petulantly.
"Shall we end the conversation,
then?"
"Oh. no; not yet" Elsa cried, embar-
raised. Then she went on, with deter
minatfon, when you came in here you
Eaid | was the girl they were going to
throw into Karl's arms"
Il did"
But you did not say that I am tie
girl who permits herself to be thrown
into KarI's arms. Am ! right?"
Eyes"
"Please sit down." Elsa went on,
recovering her self poise. which tie
battling politeness of Millar had dis
turbed.
He declined the chair with a gesture,
but she insisted.
81 feel much more commanding
when | stand, and I want every ad
vantage" she said. Il want to set
you right. and it will be much easier
when you sit down and I stand"
Smiling, Millar sat down and looked
up at her expectantly. Slightly con
fused. she vent on:
II don't want people making fun of
me before NY face. l know every
thing. Do I make myself clear? You
ject, and | shall delegate to you the
mission of explaining the true facts
to those dummies"
She grew quite vehement, and her
cheeks flushed. Millar looked at her
admiringly as he said:
"Your confidence does me great hon.
or"
"As a rule, I don't take these people
seriously" the girl hurried on. ~
have no more interest In them or
their opinions than / have In last
weeks newspapers. But | want them
all to know that they have not fooled
me into marrying Karl. And you al
want me to marry him-you all want
to throw me into his arms"
Pardon me- Millar interrupted
But she went on unheeding:
Don't you think | can see through
your transparent schemes1 But III
marry him just the same. If he'll have
ne. Do you understand III marry
him."
Il do not think you WILL" Mnlar said
quietly.
II tel! you l am going to be Karl's
wifel' Elsa cried, with emphasis.
"Now that you have graced me with
your confidence" Mil,ar said, rising.
Il feel that ] may be cutie frank with
you. This marriage canno. IKE place.
He pointed to the chair L. had va
Gated and smiled.
Now, you sit down, because / am
going to set you right" he said.
Wonderingly, Elsa obeyed. Millu
called a servant who was passing and
said:
You will find a small red leather
case in my o%vercoat pocket. Bring it
here"
The servant went out, and he con-
tinued to Elsa:
II know the reason of this marriage.
u you-you don't know the reason.
orr
"Or what?"
"or you don't want to know; hence
you are about to CONSENT
Consent to what?" Elsa cried
Don't beat around the bush. That Is
what l am trying to avoid. / am about
to consent to become the wife of a
man who loves another woman. and.
what is more, / intend to go on my
honeymoon with a man who has an
other woman in his heart, who leaves
with this other woman everything he
should bring to his wife-love, sympa-
thy, enthusiasm, everything. You see.
you did not know me-"
Miliar was unmoved by her vehe-
ment declaration. AS the servant re.
entered their room and handed him a
small red leather case he said:
Il did not think this subject could
excite you to such a degree
Il don't want any one laughing at
me- Elsa protested. Il want them all
to understand that | know quite well
the way l am going and that / go that
way proudly, fully conscious Of it;
that | know everything, and yet !
consent to be his wife"
"Whyg' Millar asked, opening his
little satchel.