Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1908-02-14
80 tR ~. tO..,ira-d,

~ fighting chance? For whatT
very low. very dangerous.
For you"
Then In spite OF her her senses he
came unsteady. A sudden ringing con
fusion seemed TO deafen her. through
which his voice. as II very far away.
sounded again:
Men vino are worth fighting
chance ask for 1t sometimes. but take
Il always. take IL"
Her plliur faded under the flood OF
hrigh, color. The blue of her eyes
darkcncd ominously TO velvet
Mr. Siwarl." she said very dis
tin,tly and slowly. Il am not-even-
solry-fOr YOU"
Then my chance is desperate In
deed" he retorted coOlly.
Chance! Do you imagine Her
anger choaed her.
Are you not little hard?" he said.
paling under his tan. 81 suppose wo-
men dismissed men more gently-eveD
such Il man us | am."
For full minute she strove to com.
prehend.
such man as you" she repeated
yagucly. You mean A crimson wave
dyed her skin to the temples, and she
leaned toward him in horror stricken
contrition. Il didn't mean that, Mr.
Siward, IL never thought OF that!
1t had no weight Ii was not in my
thoughts. | meant only that you had
assumed what is unwarranted-that
you your question Inundated the,
knowing that | am engaged-knowing
me so little-so"-
"Tee. | knew everything. Ask your.
self why risk everything to say this to
you: There can be only one answer"
Then. after il long silence, Have !
ever" she began tremblingly-''ever
by word or look
mo"
"Have even
"No. I've simply discovered how ]
feel That's what was dreaming
about when you asked me. was
afraid might do this too soon. but |
meant to do it anyway before 1t be-
came too late"
at was too late from the very mo.
ment we met. Mr. Siward." And, as
he REDEEMED painfully again, she added
quickly, 81 mean that 1 had already
decided"
And as he said nothing: "You were
little rough, little sudden with me,
Mr.. SiWard Men have asked me that
question several times, but never so
Ia,
without some preliminary of some sort,
so that could fOreSee--be more OF less
prepared, But you gave Hle no warn
ing l-if you had | would have
known how to be gentle. IL wish to
be now"
Still he said nothing. He sat there
listless'y studying the sun spots glow
ing. waxing. waning. on the carpet oil
dead leaves at his feet.
"As for what you have said" she
added, little smile curvins the sensi
tive mouth. lit is impuisive. uncon
sidered. trife boyish, Mr.. Siward.
pay myself the compliment Of you
sincerity. 1t is rather nice to be ;
girl who can awaken the romance In
man within day or twos ncquaint
ance We shall not misunderstood,
each other again. shall weY'
He raised his head, considering her
forcing the smile to meet her own.
I'VE Shall be better friends thai
ever" she asserted confidently.
"Yes. better than ever"
because what you have done mean
the incest sort of friendship. you see
You can't escape its duties and re
sponsibiities now. Mr.. Siward l sha
expect you to spend the greater par
Of your life in devotedy doing thing
for me. Besides. | am now privilege
to worry you with advice. Oh. 20
have invested me with all sorts @
powers now!"
He nodded.
She spraug to her feet. flushed. smi
ing. a tritie excited.
rs it all over. and are we the yer
ideals Of friends?" she asked.
1.-THE very ideals"
"You are nice!" she said impulsivel.
holding out both gloveless hands. II
held them. she looking at him yer
sweetly. very confidently. And 20
are content" persuasively.
"Of course not" he said.
"Then | am sorry for you. Look {
that" turning her left hand in his s
that the jewel on the third fnge
caught the light.
~ see It,"
And YETI
"And yet"
THAT" she observed. with comp,
sure, 'is sheer obstinacy. How can 20
really care for me? Do you actual
believe that devotion comes like that
Exactly like that"
$50 suddenly? 1t is impossible" wit
twist of her pretty shoulders.
"How did it come to you? he aske
between his teeth.
Then her face grew scarlet, and b,
eyes grew dark, and her hands CO.
tracted in his
MA tig b me
w (N twisted finge
" 7 w entangled, Vi
(sM WA ill., with n lit
\W4 MI wv sob, she swa
\@N N\NG$1 ed toward hiI
VIZ ~ .SASN, " and he caugl
"A ~ u