The midland journal., 1908-10-02
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He Forces tho Isus BY Annolncl's
Hic EnNa INN
HIS Dspasu's.

How many times do yCu want me
to say it?" demanded Miss Callonby.
II thought We had that all settled
finally and forever"
II didn't understand it as finally
said Bennie Purvis. Il hoped"
II told you there was no use hop
ing" snapped the young woman.
''You asked me if you migAtn't hope.
and I distinctly told you no. That's
what said, and now you drag the
whole thing up again"
"Was that the last time?" asked
Bennie doubtfully.
you know perfectly well it was.
1t was in this very room I'll have
witnesses the next time, or phon-
ograph." j.
There isn't going to be any next
time" Bennie said this quite deter
minedly
''You said something to that effect
before. There cughtn't to have been
any this time. There wouldn't have
been if you had any regard for my
feelings
"Oh. / say!" demonstrated Bennie
In his best English manner.
"Well, you haven't. You know it's
a painful thing for me to have to
refuse you"
why do you do it then?" asked
the young man, not unnaturally.
"Why not have some consideration
for my feelings and say 'Yes'?"
because don't want you, I'm
not going to marry you just to spare
your feelings"
Il haven't any idea OF asking you
to marry me to spare my feelings.
II you were willing to do it should
K MT let you"
Miss Callonby pouted 81 don't
see how you could help it," she said.
But you needn't feel alarmed I'm
not going to- You're the last man
on the face of the earth that would
dream of marrying"
You'd sooner have Corwin. I sup
pose?"
"Why, Bennie!" exclaimed the
young woman. I've told YOU twenty
times that l detest him. You know
! have. And l do He's loath,y."
Nobody would ever think IT," said
Bennie. And you've told me half
dozen times or more that you like
him very much indeed"
SO / do-as a friend"
Bennie tried to shrug his shoulders.
Wen count him out for the sake of
argument he said. How about
King?'
'King?"
Yes, King. How about him."
What about him? What do you
.tnean?"
4 mean to ask you if you wouldn't
sooner have him than meo"
Il wouldn't have either Of you"
said Miss Callonby. $50 there"
You don't seem to get the point
or you don't mean to- said Ben
ME. you said l was the last man
in the world that you would marry"
Il hope you will excuse me il
contradict you fatty, but l didn't"
Bennie made his eyes round. :
said, On the face of the earth
that l would dream of marrying 1t
may amount to the same thing. but
! should prefer to be quoted correct.
ly."
Bennie let that pass. "It follows
that If you had. to choose between
King and me you would take King"
he said
1t doesn't follow at ALL" said Miss
Callonby. That was just a figure of
speech"
Bennie frightened amazingly.
Employed to impress you with
the very positive nature of my
how many does this make? Well.
my refusal-I should like you to un-
derstand that it is positive. want
this to be the very last time. shall
Re angry with you. Bennie, if you
ever approach the subject again"
Il sha'n't. Don't you worry abou.
that"
Il wish ] could believe YOU"
You may believe ne all right.
can promise you sassy that you
won't be pestered any more SO far
as am concerned"
"Bennie," said mss callonby, "you
aren't angry Tsth me, are your"
No" answered Bennie.
"Truiy?' n