Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-11
BY GEORGE GIBBS

blame you for loving me. She is merely unfortunate.
She did not mean what he thought she meant; but
he went blindly. What does the world matter?
I've waited for you patiently because respected you
and because knew my opinions too radical; that
you would not be willing to agree"
No, Rene, she smiled, Il am not willing to agree
not to that That pose of is picturesque. 1t has
always been amusing; but I've never been foolish
enough to take it seriously You would like kingdom
of sentimental chaos How quickly you would tire of
the love of woman if it was to be had everywhere for
the asking!
1T is to be had everywhere; but can never think
OF any woman but you. | am not child. I've found
my way about the world for over thirty years. There's
only in it, only one!" He drew her closer
to him; but as his lips touched her she sprang away
A DARK red colored his brow as he Strengthened.
DE Land was a who timed his psychological
moments with rare artistic precision. To of his
training to be out of ones poise to be failure
Awkwardness to Rene was palpable sin than any
forbidden in the decaogue 1t seemed impossible that
he could have again made mistake, and this time her
elusiveness maddened him. He got up and faced her
an gny ..:u,. r., r
"What earth do you mean? Is my kiss repellent?
Is my touch so pollutng!
She held out her hands: Don't, Rene, DON'T"
But the blow to his self esteem stung him vicously
and his much Wanted patience flew to the winds. I'm
not in mood to be trf1ed with. For months I've
given you the best that was in me- I've hung on your
wishes like doting imbecile always knew that wasn't
the way to treat with woman; but did it because
thought you different from the Others that you'd
have the to see how much it costing But
you didn't You've taken advantage of my forbear-
and treated me without consideration. I've given
and given, and received nothing in return Why, even
he has had more than have! He cleverer tlan l.
because he had the to take what belonged to him.
He leaned with one hand on the table between them
and she listened to the unfamiliar ring in his voice with
troubled silence
1--WE been fool over you When a woman like YOU
guards her lips sacredy it because she knows that
If she yields them to she give them
to another, or because he lowered his voice and went
he nj her
rtant-because she fears for herself for the dis
ruption Of all the orderly ideas of girlhood-"
"Rene!'
He went on heedlessy. 1.-The world says you are
cold, Quakerish, nsensble have known other women
who created the impression. Do you think l
could be as mad about you as am, if had not gagged
you have yourself? Every woman is born to be won,
some in one fashion, some in another if not in conven
ona way, IN one not so conventional. I've stood too
long on ceremony. I've been generous long enough.
I won't give any longer! l want you to kiss me- Ma
tale. l want you to let me take you in my arms and
tell you what love means to me-.
She hid her face in her hands, and that angered him
again. He step nearer. If you won't give l
will take!
A the words she looked up at him in disrnay. He
Transformed His polish gone the veneer
stripped off, revealing the ugly grain beneath. 1t
another Rene. She remembered the hot temper of his
youth, which in his manhood he seemed to have con-
quered She examined him curiousy, not frightened
yet only very perturbed and distressed for they had
been friends many years and she could not think of him
of enemy.
"You will not kiss me if unwilling to be kissed,
she said gently.
II will" he muttered. "I1l kiss you now!"
She that he meant it and really apprehensive,
reteated the door of the pantry put her hand the
knob and turned to him with the sembance of smile.
If you nearer, shall call, she said; for the
caretaker and his wife were IN the kitchen.
mo- you will not call. don't think you're really in
position to make fancy it wouldn't sound
we'll on the tongue of gossip that you fled hereto me-