Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1910-12-23
might be. But now 1 know II isn.aP
"EInU dn xrO1t lyanxr, .

might be. But now know Il isn'1P
Hoy do you know it?"
Because love, as l think Of II, n
stronger than the traditions, stronger
than anything else in the world. And
the traditions are still with me. ad-
NIT the existence of the social pale,
and as long as l live within it | have a
right to demand certain things of the
man who marries me-"
And love doesn't demand anything"
he said, putting the remainder of the
thought into words for her. You ara
right. If l could clear myself with a
word, should not say it."
"Why?"
Because your-loyalty, let us call II,
Is too precious to be exchanged for
anything else you could give me IN
place of it-esteem, respect, and all the
other well-behaved and virtuous be-
stowals."
But the loyalty is based on the be-
lief that you are trying to earn the
well-behaved approvals," she contin-
ued.
No, 1t isn't. It exists in spite Of
everything, and not because Of any
thing. The traditions may try to make
you stand 1t on the other leg, it's a
way they have; but the fact remains"
The traditions are about to send
me into the house, and the principal
problem is yet untouched. What have
you done with Nancy?"
He told her briefly and exactly. add
ing nothing and omitting nothing; and
her word for 1t was impossible"
1 Opg
| ed. II may choose to believe that this
home making for poor Nan and her
waif Is merely bit of tardy Justice
| on your part and honor you for It. But
| nobody else will take that view Of 1t.
| If you keep her in that little cabin Of
yours, Mountain View avenue will have
a flt-and very properly"
'I don't see why II should" he pro-
tested, densely.
Don't you? That's because you ara
still so hopelessly primeval. People
won't give you credit for the good mo-
tive. You must think of some other
way"
"Supposing I say I don't care q
hanf?"
"Oh, but you do. You have your
father and mother and-and me to con-
slider, however reckless you may be for
yourself and Nancy. You mustn't leave
her where she Is for single day."
II can leave her there If like. Tve
told her she may stay as long as she
wants to-"
NO" she said decisively, you will
have perfect hornets nest about your
ears. Every move you make will be
watched and commented on. Don't you
see that you are playing the part Of the
headstrong, obstinate boy agaln?"
yet you think / ought to provide
for Nan, In some way; how am I going
to do 1t unless I ignore the hornets?"
Now you are more reasonagle," she
said, approvingly. II shall ride to-
morrow morning. and II you should
happen to overtake me, we might think
up something"
The door was opening gently under
the pressure of her hand, but he was
loath to go.
II wouldn't take five added years of
life for what I've learned tonight, Ar
dea," he said, passlonately. And then:
Have you fully made up your mind TO
marry Vincent Farley?"
In the twinkling of an eye she was
another woman-cold, unapproachable,
with pride kindling as If she had re-
ceived mortal affront.
And then he bade her goodnight and
went his way with a lifting song OF
triumph In his heart which not even
the chilling rebuff Of the taking
was sufficient to silence.
"She loves me! She would still love
me II she were ten times Vincent Ear
ley's wife!" he said, over and over to
himself; the words were on his lips
when he fell asleep, and they were still
ringing in his ears the next morning at
dawn break when he rose and made
ready to go to ride with her.
| ITO he cOntinued,)