Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1910-09-16
your mind-about-about me-"

your d-about-about me-"
What do you mean?" he asked.
turning away his head.
you can't make up your mind
whether you are in love with me or
not. Therel Now I've said it. Isn't
ii true?"
Her voice never faltered. Her calm
eyes seemed to read his every
thought.
Don't be afraid" she said. at is
better to be quite frank-kinder to me.
That day you asked me to be your
wife. you were carried away by sud-
den fool h impulse. | suspected it
all along. | had no right 10 take you
at your word; Dick, we must be chums
again"
For Heavens sake, Madge, don't
talk like that" he cried. "You don't
know what you're saying. You wrong
me. indeed you do. | have you. ad-
mire you more than any other woman
know. You're too good for me, but,
you've promised to marry me, and I'm
the proudest fellow in the world. I'll
try to be worthy of you, dear"
'1t isn't question of being worthy
or unworthy" she replied, gently. ITS
a question of love. Dick. think un-
derstand you. You're fond of me. |
know that. but you don't love me in
the way that you feel a man ought to
love the woman he is going to mar
ry."
ANY man who isn't a senseless
brute ought to love you"
well. well grant that, for the sake
of argument"
You're clever and good, Madge,
and uncommonly pretty; you're every
thing a woman ought to be-"
"But-don't be afraid to say it,
Dick-I'm not the right woman for
you. I know. I understand"
"Madge. you don't understand. you
can't understand. | don't understand
myself. It's my cursed nature, | think.
I'm not capable Of loving you or any
woman"
you say that, now, because the
woman hasn't come yet"
she never will" he cried. You're
the only girl l ever cared for, and
ever shall care for. I'm sure OF that.
It's the only thing I seem to be sure
Of" he ended. miserably.
Listen to me. Dick" she replied,
In her quiet voice. 81 understand you
better than you understand yourself.
You remember my telling you once
that. years ago, was engaged 10 be
married? Well. | went through then
Just what you're going through now.
| know the feeling. Dick. the blank,
miserable feeling OF disappointment
at every kiss. every endearment, the
feeling that something Is wrong, that
this Is not the love You had dreamed
OF. the agonizing doubts. the self-re-
proaches. Oh, Dick, Dick. | know 1t
ALL"
With a little strangled sob she hid
her face between her hands, and the
man who watched her dared not ask
the question that trembled on his lips.
The girl had always been so calm,
so self-controlled. He had never seen
her like this before. What did 1t
mean?
I'm a brute, Madge." he said,
clumsily.
She raised her face to his with
oudden ouick smile
He loked at her anxiously, and
heaved a sigh of relief.
She hasn't been crying at all, then!
Thank God.
The girl gave a little laugh.
She could read him like a book.
"You see. I'm not taking 1t to heart
so very much, after ALL" she said,
and. in his embarrassment, he did not
hear the false ring in her voice. i
felt unset just now" she continued,
hurriedly. because ] remembered so
vividly what I suffered at the time /
told you Of and it humiliated me TO
think that | have made you suffer in
the same way"