Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-11-10

/ thought of Logothetl." Van Torp an.
swered. 81 told her that couldn't
give her an unbiased opinion of the
man you meant to marry, because !
had always hoped to marry you nv.
self"
"oh-was that the way IL hap.
pened?"
Mrs. Rushmore could hardly have
misunderstood me-" said Van Torp,
gathering the reins of himself, so to
Say. for anything that might happen.
mo. But 1t sounds differently when
you say # yourself"
That was just what I said, any.
how" answered Van Torp. 81 didn't
think she'd go and tell you right away,
but since she has, I don't regret hav.
ing said that much"
1T was straightforward, at all
events--if it was all true!" There was
the faintest laugh in her tone as she
spoke the last words.
sits true, right enough, though /
didn't expect that should be talking
to you about this sort of thing to-.
night"
"The effect on Mrs. Rushmore was
extraordinary. positively Illuminating, >
Margaret said more lightly. "She
says I ought to break off my engage.
ment at once, and marry you! FANCY"
That's very kind of her, I'm sure"
observed Mr.. Van Torp
Il don't think so. like it less and
less, the more think of IT,"
We'll, Pm sorry, but I suppose it's
natural, since you've concluded to
marry him, and it can't be helped. I
wasn't going to say anything against
him. and l wouldn't say anything for
him, so there was nothing to do but
to explain, which I did I'm sorry
you think I did wrong, but I should
give the same answer again"
rMrs. Rushmore thinks that Konstan.
tin is a designing foreigner because
he's Greek man of business, and
that you are perfection because you
are an American business man"
"1f I'm perfection. that's not the
real reason" said Van Torp, snatch.
ing at his first chance to steer out of
the serious current; but Margaret did
not laugh.
You are not perfection, nor l eth.
err she answered gravely. You are
famous in your way, and people call
me- celebrated in mine: but so far as
the rest is concerned we are just two
ordinary human beings, and if we are
going to be friends we must under.
stand each other from the first. as far
as we can"
I'LL try to do my SHARE" said Van
Torp, taking her tone.
VERY we'll. I'll do mine. 1 began
by thinking you were amusing, when
! first met you. Then you frightened
me last winter, and hated you. Not
only that, 1 loathed you-there's no
word strong enough for what 1 felt.
When l saw you in the audience, you
almost paralyzed my voice."
Il didn't know it had been as bad
as that" said Mr.. Van Torp quietly.
Eyes. 1t was worse than 1 can
make you understand. And last spring,
when you were in so much trouble, I
believed every word that was said
against you, even that you had muir
dered your partners daughter in cold
blood to get rid of her, though that
looked as incredible to sensible peo-
pie as it really was. 1t was only when
l saw how Lady Maud believed in you
that ! began to waver, and then l
understood"
I'm glad you did"
$50 am 1. But she is such a good
woman herself that nobody can be
really bad in whom she believes. And
now I'm changed still more. 1. like
you, and I'm sure that we shall be
friends, if you will make me one
promise and keep 1t"
What is it,"
THAT you will give up all idea Of
ever marrying me, no matter what
happens, sven if I broke"
Its no use to go on" interrupted
Van Torn "for CANT prorn;eo o,v