Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1910-09-16

to be a scoundrel. No wonder you
couldn't love him. But you-you are
the sweetest, prettiest creature on
earth, and the man who can't make a
fool Of himself for your sake, ought to
be shot"
She laughed again.
Its nice of you to feel like that,
Dick" she said. But there's really
no reason why you should call your
self all sorts of hard names simply
because you haven't succeeded in fall
ing blindly and desperately in love
with me-"
For moment there was silence
between them.
Suddenly a dark flush rose to his
face.
Don't think me a conceited fool,
little girl" he said, awkwardly, "but
you told me just now of the doubts
that used to torment you while you
were engaged to that-other man.
You didn't say anything about any
doubts when when you-had prom
ised to be my wife. Doesn't that
mean that-that sou care?'
He was not looking at her, and he
did not see how white she had
grown.
Dear old boy" she said, coming up
behind him, and placing her hand soft
" upon his shoulder. II do care for
you, well enough 10 have married you
II you had wanted it, But I'm not
the sort of girl to fret and pine be-
cause | can't marry you"
The hand upon his shoulder trem-
bled just little.
"Madge." he cried, impulsively.
Give me another chance. Forget
what has passed between us to-day,
and be my wife. was mad to let
you talk as did just now. 1t isn't
true. love you. dear. as well as it's
in me TO love any woman. Upon my
honor | believe that. ] would try to
make you happy. Take me back,
Madge. Give me another chance"
For a single instant the girl hest.
tated.
"It can't be-" she said. firmly. you
are good and kind. Dick, and perhaps
you mean what YOU say just now, You
may think. for the moment. that you
love me. / tell you, II isn't love, it's
only pity. You're sorry for me, be-
cause you think I shall be unhappy.
Old friend. you're mistaken. Don't
be sorry for me, there's no need. I'm
not like other girls. You have said so
yourself. often and often. l don't
want a protector. or n husband. only
want a chum. Dick, we'll be chums
again"
You can't mean H." he said. un-
easily: after the way I've behaved to
you. you must desplse me. Things
can never be quite the same again"
Things shall be the same again!"
she cried. why not? Until-until-"
Until WHAT" he asked.
Until the right woman comes!" she
replied.
Nearly a year had passed since the
day on which Dick and Madge had
agreed TO be chums again.
At odd intervals. moments OF sud
den remorse or eXultation. Dick would
implore the girl TO accept the love
he had to give her, and become his
wife.
Il swear TO you there's not another
woman in the world | care for,
Madge" he would assure her with
painful earnestness. IF my love for
you is only a poor. weak sort OF thing,
and not the love | used 10 think and
hope would come TO me, it's because
I'm 'callous brute. Incapable OF that
sort of splendid feeliny. You're far
too good for me. Madge. | know, but
but won't you take pity on me?'
Wait. only wait" she told him.
81 shall not marry you, Dick, and
some day you will thank me for it.
Remember we are only chums, and
you are free"
'I don't want to be free" he cried.
Even though you won't marry me,
! shall always feel bound to you. No
other woman can ever take your
place"
81 am glad" she said, softly and
something glistened in her 'eyes.
The next moment she would have
giren worlds to recall the simple
words. He had caught her hands in
his and was staring at her with q
troubled look.
poor little girl!" he whispered
what a brute am. What brute!
Do you care as much as all that?"
81 care for your friendship, Dick,
she said. in her ordinary calm, low
voice. Il meant nothing more. am
quite content"
Then. one day. she saw change IN
Dick. II was bound to come. She
had told herself so again and again
Yet in her heart OF hearts she had moi
believed IT,
so that is the right woman fol
Dick. She can bring the look to his
eyes that have watched and waited
for in vain. She. that poor, empty
foolish little creature has the power
bah. what wretch am! What righ'
have to judge her? | am unjust
blinded by-oh. God, not that-no'
that Have / fallen so low? DO
grudge him to her-I, who never real
ly had his love?"
And she stood afar off and watch
ed the two together, and waited fol
Dick 10 tell her.
"He is afraid" she told herself
with a bitter smile. "He remember
what he swore to me. | must hell
him."
"Dick." she said. abruptly. at thei
next meeting. there's something oi
your mind. and you've got to tell m'
what II is. Years ago you made M
your Mother Confessor,' and I've hell
the office ever since. Come, DICK
out with IT, What is it?"
ITS nothing at all. I've got nothinl
to confess, little girl. How did yo'
get that idea into your headY'
81 don't know. II came. Dick, that
all"
There was pause.
"Madge," he asked, presently
you're sure you're quite happy?
What do you mean? Nobody l