The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1910-01-21
ST IL DINAS PLJBM

less, the more l think of it."
well, 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 l did. I'm sorry
you think l did wrong, but 1 should
give the same answer again"
Mrs. Rushmore thinks that Konstan-
tin Is designing foreigner because
he's a Greek man of business, and
that you are perfection because you
are an American business man."
"If 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 l 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 just two
ordinary human beings, and if 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 well. I'll do nine began
by thinking you were amusing, when
l first met you. Then you frightened
me last winter, and l hated you. Not
only that l loathed you-there's no
word strong enough for what l felt.
When / saw you in the audience, you
almost paralyzed my voice"
81 didn't know it had been as bad
as that" said Mr.. Van Torp quietly
Eyes. 1t was worse than l 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
l saw how Lady Maud believed in you
that l began to waver, and then
understood"
I'm glad you did"
$50 am l. But she is such good
woman herself that nobody can be
really bad in whom she believes. And
now I'm changed still more l 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"
It's no use to go on" interrupted
Van Torp, "for 1 can't promise any
thing like that. Maybe you don't
realize what you're asking, but it's
the impossible. That's all"
ooh, nonsense!" Margaret tried to
laugh lightly, but it was a failure.
mo, it's very far from nonsense"
he replied, almost sternly. "Since
you've spoken first, I'm going to tell
you several things. One is, that l ac-
cepted the syndicate's offer for the
Nickel Trust so as to be free to take
any chance that might turn up. 1t
had been open some time, but l ac-
cepted it on the day / heard Of your
engagement. That's big thing. An
other is, that / played a regular trick
on Logotheti so as to come and see
you here. l deliberately asked him
to dine with me last night in London.
| went right home, wrote note to
him, antedated for yesterday after
noon, to put him off, and l left it to
be sent at the right hour. Then drove
to the station, and here l am. You
may call that pretty sharp practice,
but l believe alls fair in love and war,
and 1 want you to understand that
think so. There's one thing more.
won't give up the hope of making you
marry me while you're alive and am,
not if you're an old woman, and I'll
put up all have in the game, includ-
ing my own life and other peoples,
if 1t comes to that Amen"
Margaret bent her head little and
was silent.
Now you know why I won't prom
Use what you asked" said Van Torp
in conclusion.
you have no right to speak like
that" she said rather weakly, after a
moment.
Perhaps not. l don't know. But
consider that you have a right to
know the truth, and that's enough for
me. It's not as if I'd made up my
mind to steal your ewe-lamb from you
and put myself in its place. Logo
theft is not any sort of a ewe-lamb.
He's a man, he's got plenty of strength
and determination, he's got plenty of
money-even what / choose to call
plenty. He says he cares for you. All
right. So do /. He says he'll marry
you. say that will. All right again.
You're the prize put up for the best
Of two fighting men. You're not the
first woman in history who's been
fought for. but, by all that's holy,
there never was one better worth. not
Helen Of Troy herself"
The last few words came with a
sort of stormy rush. and he turned