The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1911-12-29

asked Marie, innocently.
He does!"
How can you be so sure, Freddy?"
DO not see him?" sternly.
What do you mean by coming
every EVENING""
Marie. you know very well what
mean! Do you really wish me to tell
you again? T."
asNo, mol" interrupted Marie hastily,
how can you be so absurd?"
To HaineS, the color In the girls
cheeks was maddening.
Come into the garden" he pleaded.
Il cannot--there Is Loren!"
Staring at you like a blinking owl.
Put your picture on the plano while
you are gone and he will never miss
you! Come out with me, dear, just
this once!"
Don't. Freddy" murmured the girl.
don't make me want to go!"
R"Marie!" he cried. crushing her hand
under the music sheets.
"Just this once, then" she said
glancing hurriedly toward her mother.
Bring Miss Vera, Dawson, and
come out into the garden" called
Halnes lightly, as he drew a scarf
about the girls shoulders,
When Loren looked at her question
ingly. Vera rose quickly.
What a shame for Marie to leave
him like this" she thought.
TT is a charming evening for a
stroll" she said aloud, noting how his
fingers bungled as he spread the soft
pink folds of her shawl about her,
Dawson walked stiGiy down the
path.
"Your sister seems very fond OF
Haines, and he of her." he observed,
brushing off a garden seat for her.
no you think there Is an understand
ing?"
"0h, no." cried Vera, much distress
Ell. Marie means nothing 1t is just
her way to seem so happy and bright"
''If she really means nothing | fear
there will be very disappointed
young man." he answered indifferently,
sitting down beside her.
But he has no right to feel that
she cares about him." declared Vera.
II did not suppose you could be so
unkind, Miss Vera" he answered In
surprise. How can a man help hop
ing that a girl will return his affection,
even II she does give him no encour-
agement? | very much fear you do
not know what love is like!"
"Oh!" said Vera, with sob in her
voice.
The young man sat in uncomfort-
able silence.
81 used to think love was beauti-
full thing, but now I think 1t is cruel"
said the girl at last little YEARLY.
There seems to be so much trouble.
Every one seems to love the wrong
person, and no one is to blame. Every
one loves Marie, yet she cannot love
them all in return, and some one is
hurt"
/ Unconsciously she placed her hand
protectively upon his sleeve,
"And you are sorry, Vera"
Eyes" she breathed.
"You are sorry for me?" he asked,
covering her hand with his own.
,"Oh, do not need to be sorry for
you" she cried in distress. Believe
me, Marie Is not so Indifferent to you
as she may seem! Only have a little
patience with her, Loren"
"But 1t Is not Marie that | love,
child. What made you think l loved
herr"
you came toto see her!"
Because 1t was the only way I
could see you, dear little girl. Do you
suppose they would have let me In II
1 had come openly to call on you.
Vera, can you care for such an awk-
ward, silent fellow as II"
"You are not awkward" objected
the girl, then stopped in confusion.
81 am awkward and silent" he re-
peated, "and have outdone myself
in your presence. because am so con-
sclous of my own unworthiness. But
dear, want you'll never wanted any
one else for my wife and l never shall.
I have waited months for chance to
get near you, but wanted in vain I'M
til thought of paying court to Marie
Then when saw to what disadvant-
age showed among the other fellows
I lost courage to ask you!"
"Oh, Loren" said the girl with a
happy laugh.
Marie coming silently and miserably
along the path, paused in astonish-
ment at sight of her gentle little sis
ter In Loren Dawson's arms.
Freddy" she cried, turning to the
silent young man beside her with sud
den joyous gladness, "I'll take back
everything said! Come, let US all
face the maternal displeasure togeth-
er!"