The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1910-10-04

pleased. "a forgotten that | said
that. Are these sweet sultan? 1
though somehow that roses, red roses,
| had always been my favorites.
| They're SO different, aren't they?-
so far above ali other flowers A
deep red rose in full bloom is like
it's-oh, it's life and love and happi-
ness and June and youth and oh,
everything worth having. don't you
think?''
ooh. yes!" Audrey's eyes were
starry indeed as she raised them to
his. "And it's so ridiculous to say
that they are crude, isn't it? How
wonderfully you put it! But then,
no one ever understands or puts
things as you do
The darkening load Of care on Mi
chaels young brow seemed to lift
a little, but he steeled himself and
a half-formed resolve in his soul
spurred him on.
Audrey dear" he said, II asked
you to meet me to-day because
wanted to speak to you seriously. I
want to say something which may
sound even brutal to you, but you
are SO young so young and ignorant
of the world, and am man, with
mans knowledge, and I've come to
the conclusion that it's my duty to
speak frankly to you"
How could he go on when he met
that blue alarmed gaze?
An1~ y ~
looking away from it. "I've been be-
having like mean hound, because
loved you"
'sLoved me? Oh, Michael"
because love YOU he amended
hastily, after a quick side-glance.
I"But I've come to my senses at last,
thank God!'
"Oh, Michael" she cried in DIS
tress, I'm so sorry"
NO." said he sadly; don't be
sorry. We've had our dream, dear,
and we must wake up"
"Oh, Michael! But WHY"
He looked with hunted glance up
the green lane
because am running your life"
said he. "And it isn't fair. You
ought to marry rich man. You
will never be allowed to marry me.
Your father will never give his dar-
ling to the black sheep, the ne'er-do-
weel, the rolling stone. the vaga-
bond"
He fingered over his speech as if he
loved it. He dwelt upon these epi-
thets as if he gloried in them.
EOh!" Audrey cried "He never
called you any of those dreadful
things. He never once called you
anything worse than ineligible. And
mother-the expression mother al
ways uses is unfortunate An I'M
fortunate youth, she says you are.
How can you be so unjust to them.
so cruel to me?"
t'They are right" said Michael
cheerfully. "And deserve it. de-
serve that, and more. But have
still some principles left. 7 have still
some glimmering notions of right and
wrong, and the time has come for me
to prove it."
ooh, Michael! What terrible
things you do say! You never, never
said any of these dreadful things
about yourself to me before. How
you have changed"
II must give you up, Audrey"
"Oh!" She looked very much puz-
z1ed. but you did that long ago.
And so did I. We were Obliged to,
weren't we? And we were obliged
for the sake of others to meet as
friends before the world We de-
cided that, too, years ago. There's
nothing new in that, is there, dear: ;"
Michael shook his head firmly.
I'VE must go through with the
thing thoroughly to the bitter end"
said he. 1--WE must meet no more.
You must try to forget me-.
''Oh, Michael. When you know
you wouldn't like it if did"
Like it?" said Michael hastily.
Does the criminal like the hang
mans moose? Does the OK like the
butchers knife? But must do it,
dear, and you must help me. You
must learn to turn laughing face to
the world, and some day, years hence,
you will marry some sensible, pros
porous, plodding person and be calm
ly contented-if not happy"
'Oh. Michael. what an unspeak-
ably unattractive idea!" Audrey
cried, with much real distress in her
voice. "And what pity to spoil
everything when it's all so settled and
comfortable!"
Comfortable? You find it com
Portable, Audrey-this racking mis-
cry of indecision. this hopeless. fret
ting suspense? This"
ooh, not comfortable. of course"
she amended hurriedly But re-
signed. Michael--surely we are both
more resignedg"
He turned with a start and eyed
her curiously, but she met his gray
eyes with her innocent, serious gaze
and dlsarmed him
You mustn't give me up she said
wistfully II want to know that you
are near me- to feel sure Of your love
for ever and ever and ever. Don't
your
Michael IN despair turned away
again.
Everything Is so peaceful, SHE
said softly ''We are friends, dear,
az well as lovers, and you are mine,