Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-02-08

Then my chance is desperate in
deed he retorted coOlly.
Chance! Do you imagine Her
anger choked her.
Are you not little hard ?" he said,
paling under his tan. Il suppose wo-
men dismissed men more gently-even
such man as ann
For full minute she strove 70 COM
prehend
. Such man as you" she repeated
vaguely. You mean A crimson wave
dyed her skin to the temples, and she
leaned toward him in horror stricken
contrition. II didn't mean that, Mr..
Siward! IL never thought of that!
1t had no weight 1t was not in my
thoughts. | meant only that you had
assumed what is unwarranted-tha
you - your question Inundated me,
knowing that am engaged-knowing
me SO little-so''-
Yes, knew everything. Ask your
self why risk everything to say this to
you? There can be only one answer"
Then. after long silence, "Have l
ever" she began tremblingly-'eveY
by word or look
mo"
"Have l even''-
mo. I've simply discovered how ]
feel. That's what | was dreaming
about when you asked me. was
afraid | might do this too soon, but j
meant to do it anyway before it be
came too late"
1T was too late from the very mo-
ment we met. Mr.. Siward" And, as
he REDEEMED painfully again, she added
quickly, 81 mean that l had already
decided"
And, as he said nothing: You were
little rough, little sudden with me,
Mr.. Siward Men have asked me that
soon, so unreasonably soon = never
without some preliminary of some Sort
so that could foresee-be more or less
prepared. But you gave me no warn
ing. I--if you had / would have
known how to be gentle. II wish to
be now
Still be said nothing. He sat there
ing, waxing, waning, on the carpet of
dead leaves at his feet
"As for what you have said.'' she
added, little smile curving the sensi-
tive mouth. lit is impulsiVe, uncon-
sidered trifle bOyish, Mr.. Siward. !
pay myself the compliment of your
sincerity 1t is rather nice to be a
girl who can awaken the romance in u
man within day or two's acquaint-
ance We shall not misunderstood
each other again. shall weY
He raised his head. considering her
forcing the smile to meet her own
1--WE shall be better friends thar
ever" she asserted confidently.
Eyes. better than ever"
Because what you have done means
the incest sort of friendship. you see
You can't escape its duties and re-
sponsibilities now, Mr.. Siward. | shall
expect you to spend the greater part
Of your life in devOtedly doing things
for me- Besides. am now privileged
to worry you with advice Oh. you
have invested me with all sorts of
powers noww
He nodded.
She sprang 10 her feet. flushed. smiE
ing. a trife excited.
rs it all over. and are we the very
ideals of friendsT' she asked.
1.-THE very ideals"
you are NICE" she said impulsively,
holding out both gloveless hands. He
held them, she looking at him very
sweetly. very confidently. "And you
are cOntent?" persuasively.
"Of course not" he said.
''Then l am sorry for you. Look at
THAR turning her left hand in his SO
that the jewel on the third finger
caught the light.
II see it."
and YETI
"And yet"
That" she observed, with compO-
sure, lis sheer obstinacy. How can you
really care for me? Do you actually
believe that devotion comes like that?"
Exactly like that"
$50 suddenly? 1t is impossiDley' with
a twist of her pretty shoulders
"How did it come to your he asked
between his teeth.
Then her face grew scarlet. and her
eyes grew dark, and her hands con-