Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-17

traton as it should be carried on, than shall have
to get the election.
Il have no doubt that it will not be easy; but
have confidence that you will do it.
Thank you | meant-it was my purpose
intended-when had won the first step to ask you
if you would not help with the rest of the battle
Help you Mr.. Gormy?"
Yes, Miss Haldane. purposed to ask you to be
my wife
1T surprises you doubtless Possibly it dismays
1t surprises me, certainly.
And yet you must have known you must have
seen,-you are enough for that,-that l
cared great deal for your opinion
II will not deny it. Mr.. Gormly,' returned the
girl Things you have said-not so much that, per-
haps, as the way you have said them have led me
to think But really never imagined You
see there is much difference
Il know that | am almost old enough to be your
father" returned the gravely. Il am no boy.
Therefore. l the more sure and convinced of
what say, and you can be the more sure also that
He faltered over the unfamiliar words The girl
stole glance at him in the moonlight He stared
straight ahead of him and looked grim enough. He
had moved over the broad seat almost IN con-
tact with her. in order that he might be heard in the
noise made by the car, which was now flying up the
river road at great pace.
"Wait!" said the man. Il not through.
did not intend to tell you tonight: AS say. was
going to wait until | had something worth while
to offer; but things l have learned have made
it necessary in my judgment to inform you OF this
fact at once.
What things Mr.. Gornly?'
Indeed, | cannot tell you; at least not now
political campaign in some aspects is a terrible
thing. Charges made, accusations are brought,
hidden things disclosed, and sometimes the COM
plexion changes in day
Is some making charges against you or
discovering things about you!
No one. 1t is not of myself l am thinking
''Of whom? Of what, them
"As l said before, returned the man, can
say 1t seems to me that now my honor
demands that | put you in possession OF the
state of my feelings. | not asking you now
if you anything for me. 1t is easy for me to
have fallen in love with you, indeed don't see
how | could have helped it; but the case with
you is different. l think l am perhaps man who
might win womans affection; but it would never
come spontaneously. l should have to show what
was in me-" he went on with complete and utter
ignorance of the process which he was keen enough
to discover in his and stupid enough to
know nothing of with regard to womankind And
l want YOU to know, whatever happens in these
closing days of the campaign, that do truly and
devotedly love you. Great God! Miss Haldane, you
cannot know what even these simple words mean to
me what would like to have them mean to you.
Some day, it may be soon l will ask you to be
my wife; but all that | want to impress upon
you is that whatever happens to me or to anyone L
am pledged to you in my heart forever. Nothing
can make any difference IN my feelings You under
stand that?
He turned his head and looked directly at her.
Unconsciously he reached out his hand and caught
her bv the arm. The woman faced him steadily.
She did not make motion to draw her arm
away.
Il understand entirely" she said.
And you-you wi-do you Think" He
stopped NO. he said, lit shall stop there. with
this moment with this statement. l ask nothing,
l expect nothing, and. so far as man can crush
down his feelings, l hope for nothing. l just
want you to know the fact"
KNOW it," was the answer. Now you must let
1 me say something. l am, at least believe my
self to be, absolutely heart free. Sometimes have
thought that what you have said might be true