The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1910-03-19
introduced to her Mother.

1HLIpluEetl 10 APrt tslptEef. ~ ~
stone was large enough to hold two.
but she did not make room for him.
!; - Are YOU very sure" she began.
breaking n dryTtwig into tiny bits
"are YOU really, really sure that you
love me?"
ATT first The looked serious, but
then burst Sout laughing in his
bright. Jolly way. rs. !. jss q
Sure OF 1t? But there Is surely
no one who has forced me to say 1t!
No. But yonE don't know me.
What Is It about inc you love Z"
everything ST
si{ Bit why shop "a she be the only
one to doubt and worry7 And so to
disturb Ibis composureS Bhe began TO
set forth her faults. She unveiled
every mad lytrait she had. She was
quick tempered and a scold she
was envious and Scoquettish; she was,
stupid and Ignorant, She sat and
reckoned herself up In a serious
voice; she spoke frankly. and she
honestly wished to be believed. But
the smile did not leave HIS lips nor
did he take his eyes from her face.
AT each new confession he simply
repeated ~ e % &, Z. ~
Yes. knew that before. 's.'.='t,f3t; S.
Finally the blood rushed to her.
head. 1t annoyed her to find she.
{couly not convince him. He sat there
in the secure belief that she wished
only to humble herself because OF
her great happiness. Could he not
comprehend ut! all that he had done
wrong in surprising her as he had
and that a person cannot be sure OF
love SO loosely rooted 4
- No, you do not know me. said
She. When i answered yot, as / did
this morning. 1t was because-well.,
not wholly because--but perhaps
partly 4 Observation-Disclosures OF hard
ships ut home.I 49,
There was q cracking of twigs.
He had turned on his arm and was
gazing ather without. n word i but
the color was gone from his face.
She need worry no more about his
not understanding;
There came o yer her a feeling OF
9unspeakable regret With few
words she had des.royed something
she could never get back again. And
this something, now 1t was lost;
seemed dearer5 to her than; all else In
the world. She did not know him
we'll - s5;;t5i. :. b *. "
..'Ah, you are afraid of hardships!n
Then 1t would be best for you to
reconsider. he continued. IT am n
business man. and my position IFS not
firmly secured. One day there may.
be money, another debts. and upon
one kind lot; hardships others follow:
The NOISY stone stood empty. She
had slipped down on the heather be-.
side him. And she sook his hand and
hid her-eyea In It. I
ga It makes no difference to me! NO
difference at all; IT i have to- bear
hardships with you. !" she said softly.
His eyes came Back from the far.
+ fields. 1t. was only a clold that had
passed over the sun. 81: IL ,.9}i;,i
He understood now that, the little
bird he had wished 10 charm for
himself had been frightened only by
"a too Sudden approach, but that 1t
now came of Its own accord and that;
all lie had to- do was to open his
arms. II n y 81
And she--she knew che must love
him whether she could tell why or
not whether tiled to joy or sorrow.
In q little while they went back
the way they came, but this time
they did mot past the garden gate.
They opened It and went into ,he;
house To her rrnf lta = $40 ~ a
IS ATAE3. M ION lGt II q q raw 81
Il PARkERS6uRG; M. Va., M arch tf9.