Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1909-09-23
CHAPTER III.-continued.

My mind refused to conceive of the
'enormity of the sacrifice. / walked on
stupidity, having no notion where l
was going, but feeling that l must
keep going. The avenue was filled
with vehicles. 1t was its most fash
ionable hour, and several of my
friends were passing; but 1 affected
to see none of them. To save me,
could not have met their smiles with
summoned ones, and was not minded
to try. But, looking straight ahead as
I was, yet felt them coming-Bar-
bara and Ankony, and they were upon
me before l could turn into a side
street and avoid them.
Ankony's turnout was the smartest
in the street, and it was fitting, per-
haps, that the most charming girl
in town should sit beside him. She
wore q simple blue gown-perhaps it.,
too, was made-over; reflected hastily
that she would not have to wear that
kind after she married Ankony-and
to the casual observer she must have
looked happy and serene, but to me,
in the instant of our meeting, there
was something back of her smiles that
startled me, something that surely
looked forth in terror-the impotent
terror that is vague and still and does
not realize its own appeal. 1t was as
If, unconsciously, she had put out a
sudden hand to me.
1 went out to the curb to speak with
them.
you will want to give us your
blessing, Twining, if you have heard
the good news" Ankony said, with
great geniality.
Yes, have just heard" / said.
l held out my hand to Barbara, and
she gave me hers, a little, cold, I'M
steady hand. Her eyes tried not to
falter beneath mine, and she smiled. /
wished to heaven she had not, for l
carried that smile with me for weeks.
Miss Hemingway knows that l de-
sire nothing so much as her happi-
ness" said l.
She pressed the tips of my fingers
as l withdrew them.
Ankony extended his hand, but l
was STOPPING to fleck something from
my trousers.
WELL" said he, in a stimulation of
vast amiability, my taste can't be
denied, you will have to agree with
me, no matter what may be said of
hers"
"You are right" 1 said heartily;
-"you are fortunate man."
$50 am being told on every hand.
But didn't need that, to know it.
thought you would say SO, Twining. u
mo one so heartily"
Its gratifying to find that ones
fiancee is SO generally beloved, I'm
sure"
Barbara turned upon us with a
flush and smile,
"oh, do stop saying nice things OF
mel It's horrid of you. I don't like
it, You make me feel as if 1 were
walking around my own bier"
Ankony smiled at her whimsicalness
but l knew her to be on the verge OF
undoing.
"our friends tell us they are sur.
prised; that nothing like this was to
have been expected" he observed
looking at me.
| could have throttled him: his blade
was cutting both ways now, and he
knew 1t. Barbara went very white
and shut her lips with an odd fierce
ness.
Perhaps" he went on, in that
smooth voice of his. sit has been bit
sudden-a little surprising"
Many things are surprising" said
and met his eyes with my indignant
ones. His shifted.
I'VE are blocking the street." Bar
bara cried. Let us go on"
"As you please" Ankony answered
Always as you please-dear."
/ saw the color splash over her white
cheeks at the endearment. This was
part of the cost--the outrageous, I'm
possible cost.