The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1909-04-01

clear laughter thrilled the silence. He
laughed. too, and sat with elbows on
his thighs. dabbilg the crinkled lead
er to and FRO in the pool below
so you won't have me?" he said
"NoI haven't asked me-have your"
''Well, do now
She mured. the smile resting lightly
OH lips aud eyes.
"Wouldn't such thing astonlsh
NDa?" she said
He did not answer. A slight color
tinged the new sunl'uru on his cheeks.
She laughed 10 herself. clasped her
hands, crossed her slender feet and
bent her eyes on the pool below.
Marriage" she said. pursuing her
thoughts aloud. lis curiously unneces-
sary TO happiness Take our pleasure
in each other. for example. 1t has
from the beginning been perfectly free
from Stiffness and sentiment"
Naturally" he said. I'm old enough
to be safe"
you are not she retorted. "What
ridiculous thing to say!
We'll. then" he said. I'm dreadful
ly unsafe, hut yet you've managed to
escape. Is that it?"
Perhaps. lor are attractive to wo-
men. I've heard that often enough to
he convinced. Why, even | can see
what attracts them"-she turned to
look mt hlm-"the way your head and
shoulders set--and well. the-rest It's
rather superior of me to have escaped
sentiment don't you think so?"
Indeed ! do. Few-few escape
where many meet to worship at my
friSky feet. and this say without con
ceit Is due to my mustachios. Tangled
In those like web tied flies. imprisoned
hearts complain in sighs-in fact. the
situation vies with moments in Boccac-
cio."
Her running comment was her laugh
ter, ringing dellciously amid the trees
until wild bird, restlessly attentive.
ventured n long. sweet response from
the tangled green above them.
After their laughter the soberness OF
reaction lcft them silent for awhile.
The wild bird sang and sang, dropping
fearlessly neare" from branch to branch
until in his melody she found the key
TO her dreamy thoughts.
Because" she said. you are so un-
conscious oc your own value ! like
you best. think never before quite
realized Just what II was In you"
My value" he said. ''is what you
care to make IT,
'Then nobody can afford TO take you
away from me. captain Selwyn."
He flushed with pleasure. "That Is
the prettlcst thing Il woman ever al
mittcd To II man" he said
what more Is there than our con-
fldence In each other and our con-
tent" she said.
And, as he did rot respond: 81 won
der IL you realize how perfectly lovely
you have been 10 me since you have
come into my\liie. Do you? Do you
remember the iirs. day-the very first
how | sent word to you that | wished
you to see my Grct real dinner gown?
Smile II you wish-ah, but you don't!
You don't understand, my poor friend.
how much you became to me In that
little interview! Mems kindness Is a
strange thing. They may II. and try,
and a girl may know they are trying
and, iu her turn, try TO be grateful, but
1t is all e.'ort on both sides. Then,
with word, al impulse born of chance
or instinct, mar may say and do
that whit h woman can never forget
and would not IL she could"
"Have ] cone thatY
"Yes. Didn't you understand? Do
you suppose any other man In the
world could have what you have had
of me-of my real self? DO you sup
pose for one instant that any other
man than you could ever obtain from
me the confidence offer you unaskedi z
Do l not tell you everything that en-
ters my head and heart? Do you not
know that | care for you more than for
anybody alive?"
"Geraldr'
She looked him straight in the eyes;
her breath caught, but she steadied her
voice.
"I've got to be truthful" she said
~ care for you more than for Gerald" :"
"And / for you more than anybody
living" he said.
"ls 1t trueY
at is the truth. Eileen"
"You--you make me very happy,
Captain Selwyn."
"But did you not know 1t before
told youy"
"I-y-yes; J hoped so." In the ex-
ultant reaction from the delicious ten
sion OF ayowal she laughed lightly, not
knowing why.
"The pleasure In IT," she said, sis
the certainty that l am capable of
making you happy. You have no idea
how / desire to do II. I've wanted to
ever since / knew you-I've wanted TO
be capable of doing II. And you tell
me that do, and am utterly and
foolishly happy" The quick, mischie-
vous sparkle flashed up, Transforming
her for nm instant "Ah Ves and |