The bee., 1911-12-19


II because / do not love you
George" she added. earnestly.
What on earth is necessary-ex
/ 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 uninteresting to
you. Even today you chafe under the
discomfort of having to sit on a mossy
mound instead of in a mahogany arm
chair with leather hassock at your
feet. You would rather hear the clang
OF trolley car than the song Of a
bird; you would rather eat six
course dinner in a 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--with a
single woman for a vis-a-vis. While,
I--wsll, set down all the opposites of
the things you live for and you have
what like. Don't you see, Georges"
For 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 we7"
"Yes-you in the city with all the
lights turned on you: l 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"
ut doesn't look like a very happy
prospect for a life together, Eleanore.
We're old enough to see that-even in
our 20's-aren't we? But oh" and
there was a great longing tenderness
in his voice-'T 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 hope
that he would tire Of the life she con
sidered artificial. the life she had been
brought up in and-hated. Always,
she had longed for the country and
when she began to realize that she
loved George Davidson It was with |
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-
istence.
On the way home the man told her |
frankly that II he could not have her
If she could not marry him and take |
q chance with It all-he would put her |
out Of his life. He, manlike, was will
Ing to take any chance to have her for
his wife; but then, she explained to
him, he had not given it the thought |
that was necessary.
well, I'll travel" Eleanore told him
when they were parting. Il want to
see rural France and Germany and
with you out of my life, George--I
night be lonely" she said little wist-
'ully. She looked hastily away that
le might not see the effort with which
The kept the sparkling tear-drop from
down her cheek "And-if l
ind that / can come back and-and
i've with my ear on the trolley track,
It'll come and let you know. Mean
ho1 7 III
he said, an almost imperceptible
Freak in her voice. She had tried to
70 gay, but she had failed dismally-
nd she knew he knew it.
"All right, girl" the man said, hold
1g her hand closely in his own. "Since
-ou're afraid of adding to the long list
II mis-mates among our friends-I'll
emain as | am. I'll have you or no
me, mate or mis-nate Good-by."
He strobe off with never look be-
lind and she knew he was gone out
4 her life until-"Oh, forever!" she
sid, as she dashed away the foolish
ears that pushed each other from her
yes.
True to her word she travelled. She
ourneyed here and there and enjoyed
hings as only woman Of her caliber
the beautiful, rare old things
he had read Of and heard of all her
ife
When she returned to her own coun-
ry it was to take up her profession of
utoring-but in the country this time.
The found a home in the rectory of an
Id church. The minister was a family
riend, and she went into the family
tutor his two children with the priv
Iege OF having few others during I
id hours in the week
She spent many happy days with the y
-lldren; she taught them everythihg {
ne knew how to teach them, from
eading and spelling to French and !