Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1911-11-17
BURNING
aSTDAYLIGHT
BIZ JACK
Author of "7He Call of the Via"
"WAte Fang" Martin
Eden" etc.
IIlu.iratinns hy Dearborn Melvil
Illustrations By Dearborn Melvill
CHAPTER XVII.


proaches. But by the seventh Sunday
his hunger for her overmastered him.
Il was a stormy day. A heavy south
east gale was blowing, and sQuall aft
er sQuall Of rain and wind swept over
the city. He could not take his mind
OF of her, and a persistent picture
came to him of her sitting by win
dow and sewing feminine fripperies OF
some sort. When the time came for
his pre-luncheon cocktail to be served
to him in his rooms, he did not take
It. Filled with daring determine
ton, he glanced at his notebook for
Dede's telephone number, and called
for the switch.
At first it was the landlady's daugh-
ter who was raised, but in minute
he heard the voice he had been hun
CRY to hear.
81 just wanted to tell you that I'm
coming out to see you," he said. |
didn't want to break in on you with
out warning, that was all"
"Has something happened?" came
her voice.
"I'l toll you when I get there, he
evaded.
She came herself to the door to
receive him and shake hands with
him. He hung his macintosh and
hat on the rack in the comfortable
hall and turned to her for direction.
"They are busy in there" she said,
Indicating the parlor, from which
came the boisterous voices OF young
people, and through the open door of
which he could see several college
youths. $50 you will have to come
into my rooms"
She led the way through the door
opening out of the hall to the right,
and, once inside, he stood awkwardly
rooted to the floor, gazing about him
and at her and all the time trying not
to gaze. In his perturbation he failed
TO hear and see her invitation to q
seat.
Wont you sit DOWN." she repeated.
Look here" he said, in voice that
shook with passion, there's one thing
I won't do, and that's propose to you
in the office. That's why I'm here.
Dede Mason, I want you, just want
you"
So precipitate was he, that she had
barely time to cry out her involun-
tary alarm and to step back, at the
same time catching one of his hands
as he attempted to gather her into
his arms.
ooh, I know I'm sure enough fool"
he said. IL guess I'll sit down.
Don't be scairt, Miss Mason. I'm not
real dangerous"
I'm not afraid" she answered, with
a smile, slipping down herself into a
chair.
tits funny" Daylight sighed, almost
with regret; 'here am, strong
enough to bend you around and tie
knots in you. Here am, used to hay
ing my will with man, beast OF any
thing. And here I am sitting in this
chair, as weak and helpless as little
lamb. You sure take the starch out
Of me-"
I'll wish you hadn't asked" she
said softly.
"Mebbe it's best you should know
few things before you give me an an
swer," he went on, ignoring the fact
that the answer had already been
given. 81 never went after woman
before in my life, all reports to the
contrary notwithstanding. The stuff
you read about me in the papers and
books. about me being a lady-killer, is
all wrong. There's not an iota OF
truth in it. I guess I've done more
than my share of card-playing and
whisky-drinking, but women I've let
alone. There was woman that killed
herself, but l didn't know she wanted
me that bad or else Id have married
her-not for love, but to keep her
from killing herself. She was the
best of the boiling, but never gave
her any encouragement. I'm telling
you all this because you've read about
1t, and want you to get it straight
from me-"
II can't marry YOU" she said. Il
like you a great deal, but"
He waited a moment for her to com.
plete the sentence, failing which, he
went on himself.
II haven't an exaggerated opinion
Of myself, so I know I amt Dragging
vnen l say I'll make pretty good
husband. You could follow your own
sweet will, and nothing would be too
good for you. I'd give you everything
your heart desired"
Except yourself" she interrupted
suddenly, almost sharply. Don't you
see?" she hurried on. Il could have
far easier married the Elan Harnish
fresh from Klondike when I first laid
eyes on him long ago, than marry you
sitting before me now"
/. He shook his head slowly.
That's one too many for me. The
more you know and like a man the
less you want to marry him. Famill'
arity breeds contempt guess that's
what you mean"
mo, no." she cried, but before she
could continue, knock came on tne