The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1911-09-02
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AT two minutes before tlirec Miss
Parkman came. Pcn was irrltated to
find himself almost afraid Of her
afraid Of what he might discover but
looking at her with new eyes he was
compelled 10 admit that sho was
pretty girl decidedly a pretty girl
She might have been anybody, posi-.
lively. she was so knowingly trig and
up to the minute in the smallest de
tail OF her street things. This very
effect upon himself kept him alive 10
the necessity Of satisfying himself on
the point for which he had arranged
the interview; and he hoped with al
the harassed business-side Of his soul
that she was as devoid Of interest In
himself as no believed her to be- He
wanted her back, working her old mail.
miracles. Yet it wasn't an easy thing
to discoverl
"of course you know" he told her
frankly. that | haven't found anyone
-or two to fill goay place."
q hoped supposed you hadn't
she answered. equally frank Her
smile was frank too and friehdly He
stared at her second hard. HeI
eyes widened triae the pink flush
Of her cheeks deepened a half tint; but
It was no more than the surprise any
woman might show at unaceustomed
interest. He pushed his chair back
rose and went over TO the window
From his high outlook he could see
through rift in the roofs, patch
of spring sky the color of Sues eyes
He turned on Miss parltman almost
angrily.
Il want you to tell me, he said
why you left us"
Miss Parkman showed neither sun
prise nor confusion, but she didn't re
ply at once She made answer finally.
looking at the polished desk top
q cant tell you any satisfactory
reason. had been here a long
time. and I-suppose developed
nerves. / can promise it won't happen
again-if you're willing to take me
back" She looked straight at him
then. and he saw that she was moved,
for some reason unknown to him. He
felt his collar grow uncomfortable. He
cleared his throat nervously
You'll think it strange that | in
sist. no doubt, but there are reasons
why Hang it all, Miss Parkman
forgive me I'm not clever at mine
ing words. and want you to be sen
sible. You always were sensible. Re
call the way you leftthe day you
left was talking to earnestly
and you. wcre-er feeling badly;
and we were interrupted" Miss Park.
mans head lifted sharply and her eyes
grew keen. Pen stammered on. II
might have seemed -er-su short,
don't know myself Deuce take
it. did have anything at all 10 do
with your leaving here? Not that
think SO. but
Miss Parkman came from Der chair
as though hand had wrenched her
! up. She was scarlet angry. contemptu
Gus anything but conscieuce-stricken.
Are you trying to tell me that any
one would could think
"Tm afraid. said Pen, scorching
that they could, really, don't you
know sWhereupon Miss Parkmar
turned her back TO him and stood Sc
! a fun minute. hands clenched Per
got ont his handkerchief stealthlly anl
wiped bis forehead lie was tremen
dously relieved when she turneC
again. to find that she hadn't beer
crying; but she no LONGER seemec
young. She was pale. with a hard
wise wearinsss about her eyes anr
mouth thar he wouldn't have liked t,
think that Sue could muster
what I must tell you the girll
voice was almost harsh viii mak'
my coming back out Of the question
but to make you very sure-why,
asked 10 come back because / icas s.
sure Of you. was interested in thu
/ business. OF course. but In way tha
no one-howover close to you-coul'
have found Objectionable Don't yo'
know that?'
"Yes," Pen exploded 81 do Eel
it all the tlmei'
"Thauk Won lt was $50
can make your belief absolute when
ten vou that it was-because of an
other man that / LETT YOU Don
I hluR anything thar isn't SO. He WA
Your friend. came only because OF you
but he was Kind To ME when eam
ia his vay-as often happened ln th
bcciuniuc-it was a hot day and
suppose Z looked wiEcd he gave m
some flowers Gave them in IA mic
wav Won understand aud I vas CRATE
ful that he had noticed me. / spr
pose De saw what / feir ior after tha
-fverv dsv-camc more slower.
uus-alarmcd "a iirle. hu
when , saw that he had done no mor
than leave an order with bis florist
70 meant just q kindl impulse bu
10 me--she smiled WY smile fha
was vcrv hike the seif-contempiuou
tolerance Billy Tsudcl hai shown fh
dsv beforo-"fo me if meant mora