The Dolores star., 1909-11-05

Tor me to-to Try toto care for you.
for l."
Don't try to 60 on" l cried. Il see.
have been fool to expect IT."
A little sound Of pain escaped her.
J pulled myself together with an
effort.
You mustn't worry" said. DULY.
! can't blame you. heaven knows! !
wouldn't have you come to me unless
you love me. you know that. And
would rather 60 on-alone-than have
You give yourself to me through pity"
"Oh. yes. yes!" she cried.
stared into the nre. I hnd
thonght ] was prepared!
Presently she began to speak again:
Won't you let me finish. pleasef l.
] want you to understand. II would
be foolish for me toto try to care
Tor you, because-because-
oh, don't try to ease It for mel" l
broke In. Il must learn to bear II.
Forgive me for being SO long getting
myself In hand. You're not to blame
Yourself. dear. You never gave me
any reason to hope. but did. told
myself that didn't. but did--even
when l thought Ankony was going to
carry you OF the next day. still
hoped. 1t seemed to me that heaven
meant you should belong to me. and
that l must have you. But there,
there! don't look at me like that.
and don't"
Il am going to nnish.' she said.
resolutely. Let me go on"
Il wish you wouldn't" I urged.
She sat down. bending to the fire. I
could not see her eyes. but l knew
they were misty. and the softness Of
her voice was indescribable.
Il couldn't try to care for you be.
have besn-have
been fighting for months-to-to quit
caring. Oh. why-why will you be SO
dense?"
"Barbara!" cried. bending over
her.
q She put up a futile little hand be.
tween us. but ! laughed in the rap
tture Of the moment and caught her in
my arms.
Wait" she pleaded.
My waiting is overt" breathed.
oh. look at me. dear one, and let me
have thA testimony Of your eyes. I'm
afraid Of your lips"
FOOLISH" whispered she, lifting
her eyes to mine. And then: But
oh, you are-Tom, Tom! you are
crushing my beautiful new gown. and
it-it did cost such pile" with lit
tie breathless laugh.
There will be plenty Of other
gowns" exclaimed. but never an.
other moment quite like this
The fire did its best to be up to the
situation; 1t cracked IN a sudden
noisy glee and threw enchanting shad-
ows over ,Barbara's head as looked
down on 1t. Dams rheumatic old
spaniel. who haunted the library,
awoke from his nap In the corner at
the moment and. coming to stretch
himself on the hearth-rug, observed
something unusual going on, and, look.
ing up inquiringly. brushed against
Barbara's skirts to attract her atten-
ton.
The maids light steps passed down
the hall and heard the outer door
open and a mans voice in the vesti.
bule.
Its Averill." said. II shan't so
much mind having to give yoI' up to
him now"
But he did not seem to enter into
the moment with her.
"Oh. 1t has been SO hard" she whis.
pered. little half sob breaking the
sweetness Of her voice. There were
tines when ! thought ! should never,
never be able to stand IT," and 1 felt
he's shiver in my arms.
i know. my brave one," whis-
pared back; II know"
She lifted her head moment later
and looked at me, and my heart bowed
beneath the shining of her eyes and
the tremulous beauty of her dear face.
But 1t doesn't matter now. Moth.
Ing matters now" she said, thrillingly.
tTHE END.)