The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1910-08-08
WHEN A MAN MARRIES

"You are much better to me
than l deserve" he said softly.
And because his eyes were dis
concerted, l put an ice cloth over
them.
Much better than you de-
serve" l said, and patted the ice
cloth to place gently. He FUN
bled around until he found my
hand again, and we were quiet
for a long time. 1 think he dozed,
for he reused suddenly and pulled
the cloth from his eyes.
"The-the day is all confused"
he said, turning to look at me,
"but-one thing seems to stand
out from everything else. Per
haps it was delirium, but | seem
ed to see that door over there
open, and you, outside, with
with Max. His arms were around
you"
1T was delirium," / said soft
~ IL hdo my lihdl llC III lho
house of mendacity.
He drew a satisfied breath, and
lifting my hand, held it to his
lips and kissed it.
Il can hardly believe it is you"
he said. 81 have to hold firmly
to your hand or you will disap-
pear. Can't you move your chair
closer? You are miles away" So
did it, for he was not to be
excited.
After a little
ITS awfully good of you to do
this. have been desperately
sorry, Kit, about the other night.
1t was a ruffianly thing to do-to
kiss you, when l thought"
You are to keep very STILL l
reminded him. He kissed my
hand again, but he persisted.
Il was mad-crazy. | tried to
give him some medicine, but he
pushed the spoon aside. you
will have to listen" he said. 81
I'M in the depths of self-disgust.
i can't think of anything else.
You see, you seemed so con-
finced that l was the BLACKBOARD
hat somehow nothing seemed to
natter"
Il have forgotten it ALL" | de-
dared generously, land l would
De quite willing to be friends,
only, you remember you said"
"Friends!" his voice was sud
denly reckless, and he raised on
his elbow. Friends! Who wants
to be friends? Kit. l was almost
ielirious that night. The instant
held you in my arms it was all
over. l loved you the first time
| saw you. Il suppose Pm a
fool to talk like this"
And, of course, just then Dallas
had to open the door and step
into the room. He was covered
with dirt and he had a Ratchet in
his hand.
"A rope!" he demanded, with
out paying any attention to us
and diving into corners of the
room. Good heavens, isn't there
a rope in this confounded house,"
He turned and rushed out, with
out any explanation, and left us
staring at the door.
Bother the rope!" I found
myself forced to look into two
earnest eyes. Kit. We're you
very angry when l kissed you that
night on the roof"
Very" l maintained stoutly.
''Then prepare yourself for an
other attack of rage" he said.
And Betty opened the door.
She had on fetching pale blue
dressing-gown, and one braid of
her yellow hair was pulled care
lessly over her shoulder. When
she saw me on my knees beside
the bed Ooh, yes, forgot to say
that, quite unconsciously, l had
slid into that position) she stop
ped short, just inside the door,
and put her hand to her throat.
She stood for quite a perceptible
time looking at us, and l tried to
rise. But Tom shamelessly put his
arm around my shoulders and
held me beside him. Then Betty
took a step back and steadied
herself by the door-frame. She
had really cared, knew then, but
/ was too excited to be sorry for
her.
Il beg your pardon for COM
ing in," she said nervously. But
they want you downstairs, Kit.
At least, 1 thought you would
want to go, but-DerhaDs-o