The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-07-17

1
Leaning toward him she asked him in a
grave tone. What have you 10 offer
me?"
The question 10 him was a welcome
one, affording-or so he imagined-a level
on which they could meet.
He was stiH standing. and she did not
invite him to seat himself He said.
his eyes on the floor. as If adding up the
sum of his possessions. There is the
farm and the cottage Though my mother
would want that, and the four fields
nigh"
She broke in WsSs impatienee. That
isn't what I mean. What have you 10
offer me?''
He did not understand: his eyes sought
her face.
What have you. what is there In you
different from other men that I should
want to marry you" she asked.
1t was question as far outside HIS life
and comprehension as were the stars He
was silent
| The girl laughed. not cruelty. but Very
softly. almost sweetly. Poor boy! sGo
home-no. so to Felicity" She turned
/
| She was like a dream woman. He
had dreams far beyond him. which had
torn at mis- heart. sometimes had al
most put him of his food He said
slowly, You're fancifuI, maybe. Well.
there's nay name-its not overcommon
to farmers. Ny mother got 1t out OF a
book
'Aubrey-Aubrey. she said it dispar-
! agingly. and his heart sank 1T Is Ike
/ the scent you buy at the fair What
/ possessed your mother TO give you such
name2"
He continued. doggedly, 'T do not
drink or swear. As for smoking-a pipe
now and again. no more"
You are a good boy I see Now go
/ and marry Felicity She was made for
you"
For the first time he was seized by
desire to hurt her He looked al her
! strangely. What was she. a thin, gray
eyed thing whom none thought pretty.
10 gibe at him like this?
/ The girl met his glance. She gave
herself little shake. and he knew that
she was as little afraid OF him as were
the wind and the rain and the sun. Fe-
| LEFTY would have been afraid. And his
strength ebbed from him: he had not the
courage 10 approach her. 10 seat himself
In her presence, to show himself man.
She said. dismissing him casually. You
had better 90. Felicity may be waiting"
NO he said. I won't 60"
Something a little kinder came into her
eyes. She said softly. ''Think-what have
to offer you? I am beggar, and
am not ashamed Of my beggarhood''
You'd forget It after a bit. when"
NO l shouldn't ! should always re-
member it-and banker after it. To be
beggar IS TO be free" She smiled, a
| little inward smile: then turned TO him
again" Who would help your mother
on baking days2"
YOU" he stammeder. Wouldn't
your
oh can baker" she said indiner-
emily. Perhaps I might on dun days.
Maybe, would help her. maybe I
wouldn't"
The CONSERVATION with which he bat
tied amused her
She smiled again. that little quiet
smile. and smelt the southernwood. NO,
I thought not" she said. and neither
can you lock the wind in with a key"
After a moment she rose slowly and
went TO the window She was taller,
| less like child when she rose. and her
thinness was more apparent The man
| felt her attractiveness lessen; the bond
| that drew him slackened. She was not
the right shape for a farmers wife.
| The wind sang past the window. The
girl leaned her cheek against the name
and listened. The mockery died out of
her eyes. Suddenly she turned. 81 do
not love you, Aubrey" she said
The simplicity of the word and move
ment had its charm, unaccountable, po-
tent.
He said. smiling uneasily. That would
be all right in-time"
She looked at him curiously. You
would be willing TO take me without
lover"
He nodded.
The southernwood slipped from her
fingers and fell to the floor II lay there.
exhaling its fresh scent It was near her
shabby shoes.
| AilC gil onDptu AiltC the WlHuOW seat
and looked through the loaded panes at
the tossing trees. do you know"
she said, without turning, that there
have been men and women who have
died for the sake of love? I heard
of a woman once-when he whom she
loved was dead she knelt by the coffin.
and her heart broke. like the stem of a
| flower and she smiled once, and died,
There are these things In the world.
| Farmers and their wives mate more
simply, choose their partners with less
nicety-this one or that one what does
II. matter? Choose a good housewife,
farmer; there's great deal in that--a
great deal"
He did not answer, and she said, laugh
ing little. Il will not marry you. far
mer-boy; go 10 Felicity"
| Still he waited. but she did not notice
him She sat there. huddled up in the
window seat smiling and listening 10 the
wind. Once she turned. to look past the
place where ne was standing and watch
a sunbeam that f1ickered in the wall
He saw that she had forgotten him,
and, his heart strangely chilled, he left
| her.
| The wind was still roaring as he went
over the meadow on his way to Felicity.
It was a windy day.