The bee., 1908-12-24

"oh, feel all right" she said, and
sighed.
Something is bothering you" he
Insisted, as they sat down. Tell me-"
The pretty young woman sigher
again. Edgar" she said, impressive
ly, Il got to thinking to-day and l
couldn't help wondering whether you
came to see me because you really
wanted to or because you thought you
had to, seeing that we are engaged
Is IT."
WE'LL" exclaimed the young man,
chesrfully. That's simple enough to
settle. It's because want to, Of
'course!"
That's what you say" persisted
the young woman, but there's no way
for me really to be sure. Besides, you
may be deceiving yourself. You may
think it's because you want to come
when in reality It may be only your
exaggerated sense Of duty"
Don't you suppose that I'd rather
be with you than anywhere else?" ex-
claimed the young man. so don't
let that foolish idea worry you"
you didn't think any idea of mine
was foolish before we were engaged"
objected the young woman. Anything
| did was right. You see how It is
I've grown to be an old story already
aRd you begin to see my faults. OF
course / know that 1 have faults, but
II hurts to find that you are begin.
ming to see them. You wouldn't IL you
weren't bored. That shows"
Nothing of the sort!' said the
young man. II don't see what on
earth ails you! Don't l act glad
enough to comet"
Edgar" said the young woman
that isn't the point! What I'm try
ing to get at is whether or not you
are deceiving yourself! 1t makes al
the difference in the world to me!
You know perfectly well that you
would not be content to come here
seven evenings IN a week forever and
never go anywhere elsel You'd miss
your friends and everything!"
"Oh. i don't know!" said the young
man, heroically.
/ Didn't you enjoy yourself awfully
at the fraternity banquet last week."
she asked. Nov, be honest"
"Why, of course l did" admitted
the young man.
I. "TheTe!" cried the young woman,
tragically. THAT proves what / said (!
IT is a relief to you to get away from
me! I've no doubt that lots of even
ings you come here when you really
are longing to go somewhere else!
Don't people ask you sometimes to go
with them?"
johnson wanted me to play bill
lizards one night this week." admitted
the young man. But"
"You love billiards." said the young
woman, mournfully. Il know you
wanted to go Wasn't it tonight he
asked your"
4 whats the 'difference?" asked the
young man I'm here and I'd rather
be here!"
"You sacrificed yourself because
you thought wouldn't understand. /"
persisted the young woman. I'D rath
er never see you than have It this
way! Just as soon as a feeling Of
duty steps in love goes. why, it
won't be a month before you won't
care two straws for me! 1t was Just
a pre-premonition this aft-afternoon
but now III knowl And il l hadn't
forced 1t from you you'd have gone
on to the bit-bitter end!"
Nov. Annabel." said the distracted
young man, trying to pull her hand,
kerehief to her eyes, this is fool
tsh and / don't understand in the
least what you are talking about!
There isn't any bitter end or any other
kindl Don't you think l love you as
much as ever? Don't act that way?"
But what's the good Of act-acting
IL II isn't reall" wept the young won.
an And how can I t-t-ten?"
Didn't ! give up billiards tonight
TO come here" demanded the young
man. stsrnly. "And hadn't promised
to come or anything either. and could
have telephoned Just as easily as not
that wouldn't be here. How about
that9"
That's So" admitted the young won.
an, dropping her handkerchief. 81
hadn't thought Of that. Tell me truly
1t was really because you wanted 10
come. not because you thought I'd
expect you anyhoW!"
Truly" vowed the young man.
I'm q horrid. suspicious creature!"
said fha vOunR vvornan oont-s4.1
"oniy 1t upset me so when / got TO
about It. You go and play
billiards tonight. Edgarl"
I'D rather" began the young man,
nobly.
mo-" said the young woman. q
INSIST"
We'll. OF course. n you insist Only
ron know I'd rather BE- hsrel"
Would you. reanyY' asked the pret.
y young woman. happily. "of o0unse
bphsys yon BdEaf bat are yen
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