The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1911-04-22

the broad Hudsoln, spang1ed Win
CLEANS Of light @ they swept swiftly
By on their journey e the 90.
SHIRLEY" said jefferson suddenly,
II suppose you saw that ridiculous
story about my alleged engagement 10
Miss Roberts. hope you understood
that it was done without my consent"
III I did not guess It, Jefr," she an.
swered, your assurance would be suf-
ncient. Resides she added, what
right have I to object?'' -,.s g..
"But I want you to have the right, -
he replied earnestly: "I'm going to
stop this Roberts nonsense in a way
my father hardly anticipates. I'm just
waiting a chance to talk to him. I'll
show him the absurdity Of announcing
me engaged to girl who is about to
elope with his private secretary
'Elope with the secretary. exclaim-
ed Shirley.
Jefferson told all about the letter he
had found on the staircase and the
Hon. Fitzroy Bagley's plans for run.
away marriage, with the senator's
wealthy daughter. :. 49,
''1ts godsend to me- he said 9lee-
fully. Their plan is to get married
next Wednesday. Rll:see my father on
Tuesday. I'll put the evidence in his
hands, and I don't Think he added
grimly, he'll bother. me any more
about Miss Roberts,
$50 you're not going away now?"
said Shirley, smiling down at him.
. He sat up and Leaned over toward
her. -: ";.,.-s
IT can't, Shirley, simply can't" he
replied, his voice trembling. you are
more to me than dreamed woman
could ever be. realize it more forci-
bly, every: day. There is no use fight
ing against it. Without you my work,
my life, means nothing
Shirley shook her head and averted
her eyes. > =
Don't let us speak Of that, jeff"
she pleaded gently. II told you I did
not belong to myself while my father
was in PERIL -
But I must speak of it," he inter-
rupted. Shirley, you do yourself an
injustice as we'll as me: You are not
Indifferent to me- / feel that. Then
why raise this barrier between us?"
A soft light stole into the girls eyes!
All, it was good to feel. there was some
one to whom she was everything in the
world!
oc1/ %@. hat, 1o%
JEFF" she faltered. "You know am
not Indifferent to you-far from it.
But r. Il =
He came closer until his face nearly
touched hers. =: y:
II love you'll. want. you," he MUIR
INJURED feverishly. "Give me the right
to. claim you before all the world as my
future wifev'
Every note Of his: rich, manly voice,
vibrating with 'impetuous passion;
sounded in shirleyss ear like a soft
caress. She closed her eyes: A strange
feeling Of languor" was stealing over
her; mysterious thrill passed through
her whole body; The eternal, inevita-
BILE sex instinct was disturbing for the
first time a woman whose life had
been singularly free from such 1ndu-
ences, putting to flight all the calcula
lions and resolves her. cooler: Judgment
had made. The sensu9us charm Of the
place-the distant splash Of the water;
the singing Of the birds, the fragrance
Of the trees and grass-all these sym
bols~ Of: the joy Of life conspired to
arouse the love hunger of the woman.
Why, after. all, should she not know
happiness like other women? She had
a sacred duty to- perform, it was true,
but would. it be less well done because
she declined to stife the natural lean
ings of her womanhood? Both her soul
and her body called out, LET this man
love you; give yourself to him; he is
worthy Of your love-
Half unconsciously she listened to
his ardent wooing, her eyes shut, as he
spoke quickly, passionately, his breath
warm upon her cheek:
Shirley; offer you all the devotion
a man can give a: woman. Say the one
word that will make me the happiest
or the most wretched' of men. Yes or
no! Only think we'll before you wreck
49, Z07K,232H4H918A]