Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-10-24

| nrst lie, telling It bravely, audacicusly.
even looking her straight in the eve
without blenching.
MT. 0ormly." returned the wom.
an. whatever he ID. my father "a not
Q fool"
Ills worst enemy would not 50 de-
scribe him"
He knew that you were not q nan
who could be moved by threats or en-
| treaties. You have demonstrated that
iron hard, ~fndexiole. immutable. And
there is no argument that any mortal
man could use which could induce you
to hold your hand. isn't that true-'
II I'm afraid TO-"
What then did he propose to in
nuence you?"
Great heaven" cried Gormly, "
have told you all that I will tell you:
all that you have q right to know! Suf.
fee 1t to say that he did not move
me-"
"Mr. Gormly. 1 ask you, implore
you, I I djure you. did my father of5er
me to buy your %silence?'
Gormly stared at her in CHASTITY hor.
You don't answer" said Miss Hal
dane.
NO"
stop! You are on oath now, by
your honor a q gentleman, by your
belief in God. by your faith in
kind, by your love for me- want the
tr.th. Indeed. 1t is almost unneces-
sary for you to speak. Your silence.
everything, confirms me In that belief.
A man who would do what he has
done would not hesitate at that. Gut
must know, and / must have your
answer"
And I can't tell you"
"You can"
"Well, I won't then. have told
you enough. Anything else you must
get from other people"
And SO you refused me?" said the
girl standing up Look At me-" She
stretched her hands out and stood
boldly, masnincently. deaantly before
him. You refused me! Many men
have wooed me: many men have
sought me for q wife. I did not love
you, l don't love you: but I might
have learned. You might have had
me. You say I am the dearest desire
of Sour heart. A little silence, a pa
per torn in two. a monetary forget
fulness, and I should have been
yours" She picked the paper UP from
the table AZ she spoke and held Il be-
for her. II could tear 1t up in a mo-
ment. Think what you might have
had" She stepped slowly around the
table and approached him. She came
nearer to him. He stared at her fixed
~ without moving. She was BY his
side now. She laid her and upon his
shoulder. ME-" she said. FOR this.
and you refused"
He nodded. IT. was tho hardest task
life had ever laid upon him. this dis
eussion.
What are you made of" she cried.
st don't know, gasped tho man
hoarsely. Il was . fool!"
viii you take me now! :" she inter
posed swiftly. and suppress this! II
I say that I Will marry you tomorrow.
will you keep this q secret ~forever!"
Great Cod" Whispered the man.
how you tempt me-"
"Will you do IT. Answe1!"
mol" said Gormly family ct last.
~ WON'T" u 49,,
why mott" r F
For two reasons. would not 10
worth your respect for . moment Il I
did. I could never hope for your love
in that case And I won't have any
woman that I have to buy"
And we have both tried 70 bribs
you. my father and I, and we nave
both failed"
You did not try to brtbe me. 81
amor. am sure you did not know
what you were DOING
Il did" she said. Il wanted to test
you. wanted to try you. I wanted
to ~ II It was true. l wanted a.
surance that my father had done this
thing. I wanted to Measure your man
hood BY my womanhood. Obi" she
said IN q sudden change Of mood. tho
light has gone out of life for mel"
MY dear child" he began tenderly.
She shook her head and sat down
once ana once more buried her
face in her hands. He ventured to
como nea to her. He laid his own
hand or her head and stroked It gent
ly. murmuring broken words; mean
in8less, ave to her on whose ears
they fell indistiRctly. At last she lifted
her head and looked 1t him. She
caught his hand in both her own.
You are a great man." she said, -
strong map, a true man. and am
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