The enterprise-recorder. (Madison, Fla.) 1908-1933, 1910-03-17


"The girl suffered no harm" said
Kate very gently as she stepped for
ward.
"0h, It's you, MISS Langley said
the mother. Wasn't it wonderful! We
are both safe; never knew what hap
pened. 1t came so suddenly. Baby
was in my arms-and then the next
thing | remember this gentleman was
walking me up and down the room tell.
ing me baby was safe. And l didn't
even know the house was on fire.
suppose you attended to that, too, sir"
She looked at David with tears in her
gentle eyes. IL could thank you
better, sir, IL knew your name"
David opened his lips, but Kate
hastily interrupted,
His name is David Sherman she
said. ut would have been like him
to have told you he was somebody
else"
David stared at her.
David Sherman" cried the little
mother. why, why, that's fine! /
am Mrs. John Thurston, and John
Thurston is one of the directors Of
the company Of which you are man.
ager. He has spoken of you many
times. He thinks so much of you"
She suddenly put out her hand, but
David looked at his blackened fingers
and shook his head.
'Mr. Sherman will come in and be
thanked when he Is a little more pre-.
sentable," said Kate, In her quick way.
rs there anything further that he can
do?"
mo, no, thank you" cried the little
mother. Both my maids are out, but
| expect mamma here at any moment
Hank, there's her electric in the drive
way now. Won't you stay and meet
her?r
mo, no." Kate answered. 1--WE will
call later. Come David Sherman"
And she hurried him across the
street and into the living room.
Better let me stand in the hall
and drip" said David, drawing back.
She did not heed his words.
We'll, David Sherman" she grave
ly said, ARE you aware that you pre-.
sent a very odd appearance"
He stared at her flushed cheeks and
glistening eyes. Then he looked at
his blackened hands, and saw in the
glass over the mantel the smudge
across his face and his disheveled hair
and soaked garments.
I'm fright" he murmured, may
| trouble you to show me where
can remove the stains of conflict"
"They can wait, David Sherman
said the girl. ''Iro my mind you never
looked half as well as you do at this
very moment"
He drew back a little.
Your are laughing at me-" he said.
The girl took a step nearer.
Am | laughing at your she slow
ly asked.
He looked into the glowing face
and his own face grew troubled.
mo-" he answered.
huOW yOu WduJ W run away
David Sherman" said the girl. 'But
I mean to keep you here just a moment
longer-even at the risk of your catch.
ing cold and holding me to blame"
She laughed little Historically and
her face took on deeper flush.
There is no danger" said David.
The girl came still nearer.
mo, David Sherman" she said.
81 am going to ask you a serious ques.
ton. Why can't you treat me in a
natural and friendly way? All men
like you. You are at ease with them.
But when you are with me you seem to
feel a strange constraint. Isn't this
true?"
David drew a quick breath.
yes" he murmured.
There are two reasons for your be.
havior, David Sherman" said the girl.
Either you do not like me, or else
you like me very WELL" Her voice
shook a little. TT must be one of
the other"
A wild light leaped in Davids gray
eyes.
1T is because love you," he burst
forth, Il love you so well that your
presence confuses me, your eyes make
me afraid. love you so we'll that
there is not an ambition, not hope,
that | would not gladly resign il |
could call you my Wife"
There was a little silence. Then
the girl nodded.
81 will be your wife, David she
said, III father approves"
David gasped and his heart leaped
in his breast He glanced down at his
blackened hands and his dripninp