The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-01-03
THE FARMER: JANUARY 3, 1911

inging from her seat. I'D forgot
l all about the theatre"
You'll catch your bus if you hur-
;" her mother said. You're only
e minutes late
The girl was already at the door
wood interposed.
One moment" he said, His keen
es were smiling in a manner that
up the whole Of his plain face
m going to ask you to break
rough that rule of yours. and lei
e drive you to the theatre"
There was moments silence
lille the man looked steadily into
re girls frank eyes. The mother
.und it necessary to stir the fire Wig.
'ously.
."I don't like breaking rules" Mary
lid at last.
She smiled up into his face. Then
er lids lowered. and she turned "a
epart
Nor T." said Elwood firmly. MAY
drive you UP to the theatre?"
This was the first time Mary had
,und herself, however slightly, in op.
osition to this mans will. It was a
ew sensation, and not altogether un-
leasant. She felt as though he had
aken her by the shoulders and WIS
gliding her against her will.
The old woman at the fireside
ould keep silent no longer.
"Of course you may. Mary. don't
e silly" she said. Then, her with
red cheeks suddenly flushing, she sat
till, overpowered by the enormity of
Ter offence.
The girl only laughed.
very we'll, them" she said. "You
hear what mother says? And it will
save me hurrying."
1t was not a gracious consent. But
Few people can be gracious when ac-
luiescence is forced upon them. Fer
nan Elwood accepted her decision
without apparently noticing its un.
willingness.
"Thank YOU" he said; and his tone
made the girl regret her hesitation.
In a few minutes they were on
their way to the theatre.
For some time they sat back in the
cab in silence, breathing in the mis-
~ winter air. The lights Of the
main road, through which they were
passing, burned dull and yellow in
he haze; even the shops had an air
If depression. But neither was think
ng of their surroundings. Mary wa
nervous; and the man at her side wa
thinking quickly of that which must
be said before the theatre was reach
ed.
Presently he turned slightly in his
seat so that he faced her. He could
not see her eyes properly. but her
face lost nothing of it's beauty il,
profile, and his heart pulsed quickly
as he watched it.
'It was necessary-this drive" he
said at last.
Mary seemed deeply interested in
the tram-lines stretching away ahead
of them. She merely nodded in ans
wer.
Elwood mechanically followed the
direction of her gaze and, in her turn,
the girl glanced at the strong profile
out Of the corners Of her eyes. She
was wondering if she should check
that which she knew to be coming
or let him go on. Her mind went
back to similar ride she had taken
over three years ago. The man
with her then had been dark and
very handsome. This man was dark,
but no one could call him handsome
Then her heart had been furiousiy
beating, and a wild, delightful dread
had been hers; but now she was
calm and collected. She decided to
let him go on, and remained silent.
"Ycu see, I may be returning to
Africa by the next mall" Elwood pro-
ceeded.
You said something about it. Is
it settled, then?"
The girls tone was quietly CONVEX
sational. But her manner had no
effect upon the man. He had made
up his mind.
IT haven't quite decided yet. That's
why I wanted to drive you to the
theatre" His eyes came back to her
face, and a smile lowered about
them. It seemed to Mary an unnec-
essary subterfuge to tell him that she
didn't understand.
you see, I want to ask you to
me-" he added simply. "Ac-
cording to your decision shall eth
er go or remain"
He had made no movement. The
smile was still about his eyes. He
might have been making the most
common place remark. It seemed
to the girl that this man, 50 strong,
SO quiet, was a perfect master u
himself at all times; man that
would face crisis, perhaps death, with
no more outward sign than he was
now. And yet she felt
that under that calm exterior the
fires of love, passion, hatred, could
burn, did burn, and as surely actual
ed him as they actuate the rest Of