The Grangeville globe. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho) 1907-1922, 1908-05-20
By ELEA NOR GATES
"Sorry-just sorry!"
Author OF 1.-The Biography Of Prairie Girl"

"Why-why, Miss Dallas, YOU must
understand that man can't-when a
girl Well, it d be low for me to talk
about 1t, that's all-out and out low"
Something stirred her powerfully
then-something she combated and con-
cealed from him by touch of appar-
ent anger. There's nothing low about
It," she said. "a man ought to he
proud. Oh" as he was about to reply.
you don't know how she's felt, She's
been sick over 1t. white and sad, and
at night she'd cry"
He WINGED
"And you're just sorry!
when did you find this outY'
THAT day you drove Matthews
away. She told me-"
He walked about again. II can't see
why she does" he unused pathetically.
Il can't remember doing anything"
But you've been SO good to us-eveu
after the way dad acted-guarded out
here and sent that land Office man
down from Bismarck
He made protesting gesture.
"Pshawv
"Oh. yes, you did. And why? Why?
If you don't care
A long silence followed. During 1t
she watched him, her very attitude Inn
ploring, while he continued to pace.
All at once he stopped determinedly.
There's reason" he said, why l
can't do what you ask-come to see
Marylyn andAand all that"
Dad? All, he's got to think like
me-"
mo, not your father"
"Maybe"-the bitterness of Mrs.
Cummings slight impelled it-"maybe
you don't think she's good enough"
dallas, no, no" He put out hand
to her.
She retreated.
There's a reason" He let his arm
fall. And it is fair and square. I'm
proud of 1t, too, and you must hear
It," His tone was significant, tender.
No hint of his meaning suggested It.
self to her Then want to know it."
she said.
II didn't intend to tell you," he began,
Eat least for awhile. When l was at
the shack last made up my mind it
wouldn't do any good l said to my
self, You keep quiet But'-he pluck
ed off his hat and sent it whirling to
the gum guess you'll have to know
now Dallas, the reason-is you"
"Me?" The question was cry.
Lounsbury waited, standing very
still before her. Then, reaching out
again, he touched her hand. "You,"
he said quietly.
Again she retreated.
please don't co." he begged. II want
to tell you more, and l want you to
say you believe me. You must believe
me-"
There was another long silence.
Presently he went back and picked up
his hat and gun. II know just where
it puts you" he said, "but. just the
same, l love YOU"
He was certain now that he had
earned her displeasure. When he
spoke again it was as one who accepts
sad finality. ~ love you. and
want you. I hoped you might think
little Of me some day, for l believe |
could make you happy, so it was dis
appointing to find out that you hadn't
thought of me that way; that you
were figuring on seeing me take Mary
lyn."
81 never had much idea of marrying,
but when ! saw you that first time
when you came in through the door,
you remember-why, then, l began to
think Couldn't help it." He put ON
his hat and lifted the gun to his shout
der II even wrote mother about you,"
he said
He was unprepared for the answer
she gave him, for it was an answer.
without speaking, she buried her face
in the curve of her arm and, as If
seized with an ague, began to tremble.
"Dallasw he whispered tenderly.
"Oh, my dear girl! Pm SO glad! So
glad! You will-you do?"
But he found himself pleading into
space.