The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1908-06-04
CHAPTER XIV.


The young man bent bis head and look
ed on the ground. He couldn't stand
chat; but no had to make the best OF II
now-perhaps consoling himself with the
reflection that he would not stand =
after their marriage l can imagine him
promising himself to break her In and
bring her to meek submission in the fu-
ture Pity those poor souls who marry
q bully they have teassd beforehand!
Il think this IL scarcely . time for
badnage," said he, after pause, still
looking upon the ground and tracing the
pattern Of the carpet with the lash Of biz
whip. II know I am not perfect; but
you must admit that allowances should
be made for q fellow under the influence
of-of emotion"
II am willing to admit that man
under that condition h not responsible
for his actions-is that enouEhT
IF you admit that, what am to I'M
derstand by your present attitudel fsu
seem to forget what took place before !
went away"
but / do not You made me an oter
Of marriage but am wrong In thinking
ehat you made that under the influence
Of emotion7 absolve you from respon-
sibility for action under that condition-
May l not suppose that you were beside
yourself when you made that proposal,
and overlook the mistake a. readily a.
that you have committed SINGER
"It was not 4 mistake, Gertrude
loved you then a. love you now; have
come here this afternoon to ask you again
II you will have me, faulty az l am-yet
IN honest fellow-and be my wife
Nurse Gertrude was not greatly moved
win this speech, which had very little
appearance Of depth and sincerity IN H.
despite the quayering Of that manly voice
May 1 ask why you have though IL
necessary to ask me a second timer she
asked, trying to FIX his shifty eyes Ano
learn the truth from them
4Well, your manner seems to imply
that you consider the engagement broken
off"
81 did think II broken o6. Had not
reason to think sol"
"Oh, yes; the way I spoke to you ana
little Laurie was objectionable"
He paused and looked down again to
escape from her fathoming eyes. DO mao
probably thought that there would be NJ
tie difficulty in his way, and that he could
lust reconcile Gertrude, IL she Should- re-
sent his silence, with q few words or
kiss or two, and without going into any
more ye1atioua explanation than mere
ayowal of manly weakness under trying
DR.. Awdrey had told him
nd nothing.
adding that 4 woman would forgive the
man she loves anything except dupicity.
But Lynn, In his own concerted, pig
headed way, had fully relied on his own
cleveruess his contempt for women IN
disposed him to tell them no more
than was necessary. He would ratner
have avoided an explanation Thich'
though il presented certain attraction
In being untruthful, would require good
deal of bolstering up to support his as
sumption of honesty and generosity. How
ever, he had bungled 80 disastrousiy In
bis own attempt, that he saw no escape
from his dilemma but by acting now on
Awdrey's suggestion.
The fact H." said he, changing his
tone with a slash at his leg, Il was pur-
posely brutal to little LAure and you
/ wished you to take ofenss and relieve
ne from the engagement"
THAT In what l thought was the
only construction could put upon your
said abe.
81 dare say you wonder what my rea-
son was. l will tell you. can't conceal
the truth, and l know well enough that
there's nothing 4 loving woman will not
forgive, except duplicity."
A new warmth glowed in Gertrude's
heart She liked those words; they were
rood and uue-it never struck her that
hey might BE- DR.. Awdrey's.
II knew that through Keene's delay l
vas ruined-that 1 had nothing whatever
20 expect from my uncle's will. l knew
hat must no longer cherish the thought
# making you my wife, in debt and pen
,iless as / was, and-but there, you can
imagine the rest"
you wanted to give mo the opportu-
,ity OF breaking the engagement, before it
night appear that our separation was due
o mercenary considerations on my part.
Oh, that was generous p exclaimed Nurse
Gertrude, carried away by her own impul-
i've and generous recognition Of an I'M
a chlvalrous motive on his
part. All my warning was forgotten in
N instant.
IT did not want to tell you this" he
aid, In 4 tone that seemed to disclaim |
my merit to gratitude.
But you wronged me, Lynn" she said |
wronEed me, to think l |
night wish to break the engagement be- |
ause you were less rich than you eI-
,ected to be when you made me an offer"
She held out her hand to him frankly, |
nd he took 1t. II he had been wise |
nough to tell her ell that had passed be-
ween him and Awdrey, she would have
cen his without doubt. In return for an
pen ayowal, abe would have swept aside
ay warning and all prudential con-
iderations, put the best construction on
L. motives, and scorned to entertain any
uspicion Of mercenary motives which
al ght be suggested by his conduct. Now
-as tho time for him to spring up and
ut his arms around her; but he hung
ack, tie dolt. With that peryerse idea
{ 4 girls mental inferiority, he thought
e had told her enough. Possibly he was
nnoyed In being forced to abandon his
-