The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1911-04-06
baye Ssen he world ana YOU SaYe

ssp uiau Say GtnaI WHO mas no
experience to draw upon.
You are my mentor, said The man;
gently. You have taught me all
know. but sometimes / think that
about some things j know more than
you, and this Is one thing OF which /
am sure.
Yes" said the woman, "you can
be sure so long as conditions remain
as they are at present, but other
times, other manners--"
You have something to tell met"
interpcsed the other. swiftly.
The woman nodded.
You said yesterday you would tell
me today. Why not tell me, now?"
Because"
She hesitated.
Are you afraid to tell me?"
Yes" she said.
afraid Of what?" WA.
"Of4 losing YOU"
Danish that fear"
But It's not that that keeps me
silent"
What them"
II would have the worlds comment
on what say when I say It,"
THE worlds comment! What Is
the worlds comment to me?o
IA test, a trial of your feelings! II
1t breaks my heart, you must know
II you feel that way about IT, said
the man resolutely. you need tell me
nothing at ALL"
It was u brave thing to say, for her
mysterious words filled him with du.
biety and dismay. He had no idea
what 1t was that she could tell him.
He had no experience by and through
which to embody her vague hints into
something real and tangible. He knew
that he was terribly grieved, and but
that he had no way to describe the
pain Of Jealousy, he would have said
that he was racking with that unhappy
emotion.
Tell me nothing" he repeated
again. 'if 1t grieves You"
Are you afraid OF the test?" she
asked. swiftly.
II am afraid Of nothing, except lon.
ing YOU"
Il am not worthy Of you" returned
the woman. "as ! told you, but II you
will still have me II YOU viii take me
when have said what / must say
and when the world has said what II
will say, then I shall be yours as long
as l live"
ut Is WE'LL" said the man. ISwalt
the ship now eagerly thatSI may show
you that what Ishave said Is true"
THE vessel rs carer now. she
said at last, rising from where they
had been seated together upon the
grass absorbed! In EACH other; and,
1bihtings seawardi S HI
Yes" he: answered. II can even
!: sfes,the figures; ppop tleEdeek." /,
Your brother men,"
sSili-thereEb be some swomen=o on the
sN!p deaasts s.ov.y Il she9 apsse,ea,
aaulekly. h'fE isnH Ikdlyl b yoSSwisS
To see other wohefe|
"NonetS was the instant answer. II
iwohdefed itt1ny brothers would bring
you sisters. That WIS. ALL"
There was absolutely no dissim0la:
tion about the man. There had been
no. coquetry about her. He would
simply hnve failed entirely to under.
! stand what it;was.i lie was us honest,
as straightforward. as absolute sim.
plicity and sincerity must ever be,
and she had met him exactly on his
own ground. 1t was impossible, there.
fore. for her to misapprehend bis
mere casual interest.
She stood quietly studying the ap.
p%roaching vessel. AS she did so. It
came to her mind that there was some.
thing strangely familiar about the on.
coming ship. She stared longer. and
the conviction grew upon her. When
she realized 1t she clasped her hand
to her heart with a sudden gasp and
turned a white face upon him. He
was all solicitude in an instant.
what Is the matter?" he cried,
your face Is white; you look so
strangely"
1T is n sudden pain" she gasped,
terror and dismay constructing her
throat.
She wavered. He thought she was.
going to fall. He stepped closer IL
her: and put his arm about her. =
mo, no." she said. repulsing. 4
1t was the first command she NE
given him in those bygone days when
he had stood dumbly before her.
mo, no." she pushed him away. II
shall be all right"
"And has the approach Of men de.
priyed me Of the privilege OF touch.
ing you?" he asked, w~istfully. "What.
is the matter?"
Don't ask me now" she answered.
T-I-cannot explain"
The vessel was nearer now and as
she stared 1t came to a stop and
swung %broadside to the reef. There
was no installing It. 1t was the South.
ern Cross. She knew It as well US she
knew her own face. Tho thing which
she had dreaded SO when she fed
from that vessel IN the launch. which.