The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1909-01-14

cOuntenance.
Don't you feel WE'LL? he asked anx.
iously.
"oh, I feel all right" she said, and
sighed.
Something is bothering you" he
insisted, as they sat down. Tell me-"
The pretty young woman sigher
again. Edgar" she said, impressive
", 4 got to thinking to-day and l
couldn't help wondering whether you
came to see me because you really
wanted to or because you thought you
had to, seeing that we are engaged.
Is it
"Well,' exclaimed the young man.
cheerfully. That's simple enough to
settle. It's because l want to, of
course"
That's what you say" persisted
the young woman, but there's no way
for me really to be sure Besides, you
may be deceiving yourself You may
think it's because you want to come
when in reality it may be only your
exaggerated sense Of duty"
Don t you suppose that I'd rather
be with you than anywhere else?" ex-
claimed the young man. so don't
let that foolish idea worry you"
You didn't think any idea of mine
was foolish before we were engaged"
objected the young woman. Anything
| did was right You see how it is
I've grown to be an old story already
and you begin to see my faults. Of
course l know that have faults, but
it hurts to find that you are begin
ming to see them. You wouldn't if you
weren't bored. That shows"
Nothing of the sort" said the
young man. 81 don't see what on.
earth ails you! Don't l act glad
enough to Gomez"
Edgar" said the young woman.
that isn't the point What I'm try
ing to get at is whether or not you
are deceiving yourself! 1t makes all
the difference in the world tc me!
You know perfectly we'll that you
would not be content to come here
seven evenings in week forever a2d
never 90 anywhere else! You'd nj
|Ntl II II nus anu every lulH&.
oh, don't know!" said the young
man, heroically.
Didn't you enjoy yourself awfully
at the fraternity banquet last week?'
she asked. Now, be honest"
why, of course l did" admitted
the young man.
There cried the young woman,
tragicaily. That proves what l said!
1t is a relief to you to get away from
me! I've no doubt that lots of eyen-
ings you come here when you really
are longing to go somewhere eIsel
Don't people ask you sometimes to go
with them?"
johnson wanted me to play bill
lizards one night this week." admitte
he young man. But"
You love billiards. said the your
woman, mournfully Il know va
wanted to so Wasn't it tonight
asked your"
What's the difference?' asked
young man. I'm here and I'd ratE
be here,"
You sacrificed yourself becal
you thought | wouldn't understan
persisted the young woman. I'D ra.
er never see you than have it Il
way! Just as soon as a feeling :.
duty steps in love goes. Why.
won't be month before you VIC
care two straws for me! 1t was j.
a pre-premonition this aft-afternod
but now II know! And if I had
forced it from you you'd have &C
on to the bit-bitter end!"
Now Annabel," said the distr
young man, trying to pull her
kerchief to her eyes. this is
ish and l don't understand in
least what you are talking al
There isn't any bitter end or any G
kind Don't you think love yoI
much as ever? Don't act that w
But what's the good of act-aC
if it isn't real?" wept the young n
an. And how can | t-t-tell?"
Didn't | give up billiards to-nie
to come here?" demanded the YOU
man, sternly. And hadn't promis
10 come or anything either, and COZ
have telephoned just as easily ASH
that l wouldn't be here How alb
that?"
That's So" admitted the young
an, dropping her handkerchief,
hadn't thought of that, Tell me tt
it was really because you wantec
come not because you thought
expect you anyhow"
Truly" vowed the young mann
I'm a horrid suspicious creatur
said the young woman, contrite
Only it upset me so when l got
thinking about it, You go and pla
billiards tonight, Edgar!"
I'D rather began the young mar
nobly.
NO" said the young woman.
insist"
We'll, Of course, if you insist O
you know I'd rather be here!"
Would you, really?' asked the p,
ty young woman, happily "Of cor
| believe you, Edgar, but are
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