The herald., 1911-12-14


cept love?" asked the impatient man.
The girl laughed. "Much-much
more" she said. You admit. for in
stance, that you are absolutely bored
to death in the country, that picnics,
any kind of outing where you have to
get down to nature Is embarrassing to
you. Even today you chafe under the
discomfort Of having to sit on messy
mound instead OF in a mahogany arm
chair with leather hassock at your
feet. You would rather hear the clang
of a trolley car than the song OF
bird; you would rather eat a six
course dinner in brilliantly lighted
restaurant with music and the gay
chatter Of many companions than sit
down quietly in your own home to a
simple domestic meal with-wtth
single woman for vis-a-vis. While,
well. set down all the opposites Of
the things you live for and you have
what like. Don't you see, GEORGE"
For a time the man did not answer.
He counted the buttons on his CATERS
with the tip Of his walking stick.
"Is It as bad as that, girl?" he asked.
"Are we as far apart as that"
Eleanore nodded while she looked
straight into his eyes. I'VE are" she
repeated, even as far as that"
And there we stand-do WEI"
"Yes-you in the city with all the
J lights turned on you; in the quiet,
peaceful country with only the eyes
of my family and my friends to see
me and all OF nature to commune
with"
at doesn't look like a very happy
prospect for life together, Eleanore.
We're old enough to see that-even In
our 2O's-aren't we? But oh" and
there was a great longing tenderness
In his voice-'I do love you. l do want
you, dear"
The girl turned away. Presently she
rose to go. There was no buoyancy In
her movement. At last, the thing she
had been fearing had come to pass
They had had their explanation-they
had tried to have an understanding as
to why they could not marry each
| other. There was no further hops
that he would tire Of the life she con
sidered artificial, the life she had beer
brought up In and-hated. Always
she had longed for the country anc
when she began to realize that she
loved George Davidson 1t was will
fading hope that she studied his life
his fancies, his preferences. He loved
every inch of the merry avenues Of the
crowded cities, every atom Of their ex
istsnce.
On the way home the man told hel
frankly that II he could not have he
if she could not marry him and taxi
a chance with 1t all-he would put he
out Of his life. He, manlike, was will
ing to take any chance to have her TO
his wife; but then, she explained t.
him, he had not given 1t the though
that was necessary.
well, I'll travel" Eleanore told hin
when- they were parting. Il want t
see rural France and Germany and
with you out Of my life. George
might be lonely" she said little wist
fully. She looked hastily away tina
he might not see the effort with whic
she kept the sparkling tear-drop fror
tumbling down her cheek. "And-if
find that / can come back and-an
live with my ear on the trolley tracl
Tll-I'll come and let you know. Near
time, you shall not know where 1 am,
she said, an almost imperceptibl
break in her voice. She had tried t
be gay. but she had failed dismally-
and she knew he knew 1t.
] "All right, girl" the man said. holt
ing her hand closely in his own. "Sinc
you're afraid of adding to the long lis
/. Of mis-mates among our friends-T'
remain as I am. I'll have you or n
one. mate or mis-mate. Good-by."
He strobe OF with never a look b.
: hind and she knew he was gone OF
: Of her life until-"Oh, forever" sh
t said, as she dashed away the FOOLS
e tears that pushed each other from he
eyes.
4 True to her word, she travelled. Sh
: journeyed here and there and enjoye
things as only a woman Of her calibt
can enjoy the beautiful, rare old thine
y she had read of and heard Of all ht
h life.
When she returned to her own cou
try it was to take up her profession
tutoring-but in the country this tim
She found a home in the rectory Of q
old church. The minister was fami
friend, and she went into the fami
to tutor his two children with the pri
>. ilege Of having a few others durir
odd hours in the week.
She spent many happy days with Il
n. children; she taught them everythil
!. she knew how to teach them, fro
: reading and spelling to French al