The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1911-03-06

/ Vi eNpoSlHS SOuISoll ~ lSpuHS'
"Rebuffs?" said Laura, arching her
eyebrows and letting ring OF
smoke exhale gently in the still air.
"Have | been rebuffcd? If so, | am
dense enough to be unconscious OF
the fact
lie did not reply to this, but, stand
ing with his hands behind him, push
ed the beech mast about with the
toe of his boot, his eyes on the
ground.
have made a discovery" went on
! Laura, teasingly.
Il suppose Umfrayille gave you
the tip to drop in accdentally?"
"Yuor insight is a thing to make
one tremble, Jem. But the sight of
you in the role of knight errant is
even more moving to the emotions.
That girl must have been good
weight"
Mine stone six, or thereabouts,
should think said Jem reflectiyely
"Oh, Jem, you are a clod!"
Thanks. Is that why you are al
ways hacking at me with a pick
aXe?"
Perhaps. But of course | see
| through your pose. You have been
rather clever. ] never suspected II.
till today"
Didn't you?'
mo How long has it been going
on"
IF / knew what you were talking
about, | might lie able to reply"
She broke off her ash against the
trunk of her tree. Somehow | never
thought Selma fitted exactly" she
pensively remarked.
He took his own pipe from his
pocket and filled it slowly. Il don't
follow your line of thought" he OBJ
served, but speaking of Selma, /
don't think you are going to do your
self bit of good by getting I'M
fraville talked about"
NO she said, flashing suddenly
upon him, her pale eyes fire, mo
perhaps not! But / can do you harm
by getting you talked about, Jem
Bardsley! Beware of me, if you and
| are friends no longer!"
Jem stood like a rock, his face
very calm, the light of his match
flickering over it as he lit up,
"Ah," she said, you suppose you
are safe. l know what your thought
is as well as if you spoke You are
thinking that she-your adored Yer
non Wilmot-knows pretty much all
there is to know about you and me.
But | warn you there is more known
about you than your friendship with
me, There is another peccadillo of
yours come TO light, and what is
more, old Sophia has got hold of it,
so you will have no more mercy than
YOU nave ohONu II me- iOu must nave
been mad to think that such things
can be kept dark
He raised his head then, staring
full at her in quiet, but complete
astonishment. What on earth do you
mean?" he asked.
q don't think any explanations are
needed she said hissingly; "and if
you reflect, you will soon guess how
Dan came to hear of it,"
He came step forward. Tell me
what you mean"
"Ah! now / have woke you up!
Now there is some meaning in your
wooden face, Jem, | hold you in
the hollow of my hand. The moment
| hear that you are going to marry
Vernon Wilmot, she shall know what
| know"
Then shell know id little"
said Jem.
It's no use to swear returned
Laura, trembling. Il mean this; you
have played with me, amused your
self with me-flung me aside But
you don't do that without suffering
for it,"
Il know that. | have suffered for
it. l do still"
And you shall suffer ten times
more in the future she said violent
ly, but pulled herself up, because
others were seen approaching through
the trees.
Look here, speak out, will you?"
said Jem. Il haven't the dimmest no.
ton what you're taking about, you
know"
Go home and think it over" she !
maliciousy; and went with
a smile to speak 10 Father Conroy |
and Evelyn, who Were strclling |
along together. Jem was furious, but |
could a. the moment do nothing but |