The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1910-01-07

oOnt mink So 1 ike IL less ana
less, the more think of it,
Well. I'm sorry. but l suppose It's
natural, since you've concluded to
marry him. and 1t can't be helped. I
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 I did. I'm sorry
you think l did wrong. but should
give the same answer again."
Mrs. Rushmore thinks that Konstan-
tin IL . designing foreigner because
he's q Greek man Of business, and
that you are perfection because you
are an American business man."
III I'm perfection. that's not the
real reason" said Van Torp. snatch.
Ing ut his first chance to steer out Of
the serious current; but Margaret did
not laugh.
You are not perfection. nor / 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 IL 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 mine. l began
| by thinking you were amusing. when
I first met you. Then you frightened
me last winter. and hated you. Not
only that, loathed you-there's no
word strong enough for what felt.
When saw you in the audience, you
almost paralyzed my voice"
Il didn't know 1t had been as bad
as that" said Mr.. Van Torp quietly.
| Yes. It was worse than / 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 1t really was. 1t was only when
I saw how Lady Maud believed In you
that began to waver, and then
understood
I'm glad you did"
80 am l. But she is such a good
woman herself that nobody can be
really bad In whom she believes. And
now I'm changed still more. I like
you, and I'm sure that we shall be
friends, II 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 IL / broke"
!, Its no use to go on" interrupted
Van Torp. "for can't promise any
thing like that. Maybe you dom
realize what you're asking. but It'll
the impossible. That's all"
"Oh. nonsense!" Margaret tried Il
laugh lightly. but 1t was failure.
mo, it's very far from nonsense,
he replied, almost sternly. "Sinc'
you've spoken first, I'm going to tel
you several things. One is. that &C
cepted the syndicate's offer for tn,
, Nickel Trust SO as to be free to tax,
any chance that might turn up.
had been open some time, but l &C
copied 1t on the day heard OF you
engagement. That's big thing. An
other is. that played a regular tricl
on Logotheti SO as to come and Sc
: you here. l deliberately asked hin
!, to dine with me last night In London
, went right home, wrote a note I
him, antedated for yesterday after
noon, to put him on, and l left 1t t
be sent at the right hour. Then droy
to the station. and here l am. 70
, may call that pretty sharp practices
but believe alPs fair in love and wal
. and l want you to understand that
: think so. There's one thing more.
;. won't give up the hope of making 20
marry me while you're alive and an
not II you're an old woman. and L
put up all I have in the game, inclu,
ing my own life and other peoples
II 1t comes to that. Amen"
Margaret bent her head little an
!. was silent.
n Now you know why l won't prom
II ise what you asked" said Van Tor
Il in conclusion.
You have no right to speak lik
d that" she said rather weakly, after
r moment
Perhaps not. ! don't know. 81
I consider that you have a right
know the truth. and that's enough Il
It me. It's not as IL I'd made up m
a. mind to steal your ewe-lamb from yo
t and put myself in its place. Log
le theft is not any sort of ewe-lam
I He's a man. he's got plenty of strengi
y and determination, he's got plenty I
money-even what l choose to ca
p plenty. He says he cares for you. A
right. So do /. He says he'll MARI
re- you. say that will. All right agai
p. You're the prize put up for the be
TO Of two fighting men. You're not Il
n. first woman in history who's bee
n fought for. but. by all that's hol
there never was one better worth. n
y Helen of Troy herself"
u The last few words came with
4 sort of stormy rush and he furn1