The Spanish Fork press. [volume] (Spanish Fork, Utah) 1902-current, 1910-03-10
|8lT II DNA'S RUBY

observed Mr.. Van Torp.
i don't think so. like II less and
less, the more think of it."
We'll, I'm sorry, but | suppose it's
natural, since you've concluded to
marry him, and it can't be helped. /
wasn't going to say anything against
him, and | wouldn't say anything for
him, so there was nothing to do but
to explain, which | did. I'm sorry
you think l did wrong, but should
give the same answer again"
Mrs Rushmore thinks that Konstan-
tin. is a designing foreigner because
hes n Greek man of business. and
that you are perfection because you
are an American business man."
III I'm perfection, that's not the
real reason" said Van Torp. snatch
ing at his first chance to steer out of
the serious current; but Margaret did
not laugh.
You are not perfection, nor | eth
err she answered gravely. You are
famous in your way, and people call
me celebrated in mine; but so far as
the rest is concerned we are lust two
ordinary human beings, and il we are
going to be friends we must under.
stand each other from the' first, as far
as we can"
I'll try to do my share" said Van
Torp, taking her tone.
Very we'll I'll do mine. began
by thinking you were amusing, when
first met you. Then you frightened
me last winter, and | hated you. Not
| only that, | loathed you-there's nc
word strong enough for what | felt
When | saw you in the audience, you
| almost paralyzed my voice"
Il didn't know it had been as bad
as that" said Mr.. Van Torp quietly.
yes. 1t was worse than / can
make you understand. And last spring
when you were in so much trouble,
! believed every word that was said
against you, even that you had muir.
dered your partners daughter in cold
blood to get rid of her. though that
looked as incredible to sensible peo
pie as it really was 1t was only when
| saw how Lady Maud believed in you
tiAht L ptBdl W MdNtI anu llltH
understood"
I'm glad you did"
so am |. But she is such a good
woman herself that nobody can be
really bad in whom she believes. And
now I'm changed still more. | like
you, and I'm sure that we shall be
friends, if you will make me one
promise and keep it."
What is it,"
That you will give up all idea Of
ever marrying me, no matter what
happens, even If l broke
Its no use to go on" interrupted
Van Torp, for l can't promise any
thing like that. Maybe you don
realize what you're asking, but it,
the impossible. That's ALL"
"Oh, nonsense!" Margaret tried t.
laugh lightly, but it was failure.
mo, it's very far from nonsense,
he replied, almost sternly. "Since
you've spoken first, Pm going to tel
you several things. One is, that ac
cepted the syndicate's offer for tn,
| Nickel Trust so as to be free to TAX,
any chance that might turn up.
had been open some time, but / ac
cepted it on the day / heard of you
engagement. That's big thing An
other is, that played a regular tricl
on Logotheti so as to come and Sc,
you here. | deliberately asked hin
to dine with me last night in London
| went right home, wrote a note {,
him, antedated for yesterday after
noon, to put him off, and | left it t,
be sent at the right hour Then drov
to the station, and here / am. Yo,
may call that pretty sharp practice
but ! believe all's fair in love and wal
and | want you to understand that
think so. There's one thing more
won't give up the hope of making yo
marry me while you're alive and am
not if you're an old woman, and II
put up all / have in the game, includ
ing my own life and other peoples
if it comes to that. Amen"
Margaret bent her head a little an
was silent.
Now you know why / won't prom
Use what you asked" said Van Tor
in conclusion.
You have no right to speak lils
that" she said rather weakly, after
moment.
Perhaps not, | don't know. Blu
! consider that you have a right t
know the truth, and that's enough 70
me. It's not as if I'd made up m
mind TO steal your ewe-lamb from yo
and put myself in it's place. Logo
theft is not any sort of a overland
He's man, he's got plenty of strengt
and determination, he's got plenty c
-1nuey-even what | choose to ca
plenty He says he cares for you A
right. So do !. He says he'll MARI
you. | say that | will. All right agaiI
You're the prize put up for the bes
|, of two fighting men. You're not tn
first woman in history who's bee
fought for, but, by all that's hol,
there never was one better worth, nc
Helen of Troy herself"
The last few words came with
sort of stormy rush. and he turne
J 4