Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1911-05-23

Il will, we are ready now"
Mans voice broke into a ripple OF
laughter.
"Oh, are we?-I didn't know It."
Yes. that's what came to tell you,
Stuart went on, catching her spirit OF
fun and pressing her hand. I've ar
ranged little trip to the country to-
morrow, and I'm going to convince
you before we return. You can go"
"Of course, I'm open to conviction
ment?"
"Tonight?"
Yes"
mo. You must convince me first
You've planned the trip for that pur-
pose"
Make the announcement tonight
dear! On my honor I promise to con-
vince you tomorrow that we are ready,
I've an argument that never fails-an
argument no woman can resist"
Not tonight, Jim," was the laugh
ing reply.
Cant you trust me, when l tell you
that I've discovered something today
that makes it necessary"
The girl looked at him sharply,
Now, 1 can't trust you at all! I've
got to know the secret of your call
this morning. What has happened
since we parted last night?"
Il have seen Mr.. Bivens."
Nan leaped to her feet, her face
flushed, her voice ringing with tri-
umph.
And you did what asked you-oh
you're a darling! Why did you tease
me so last night? You accepted his
offer?"
You misunderstood, I didn't call on
Bivens. He came to see me-"
And you refused! Oh, Jim, don't
tell me you were so foolish!"
I'm sorry to disappoint you, dear
but had to that's ALL"
The girl dropped into her seat with
a sigh, while he went on:
My interview with Bivens led to q
most important and embarrassing dis
covery."
"Embarrassing-wh do you mean
He offered you the position?"
Yes, and finally confessed that he
did it wholly to please you."
Mans figure suddenly Strengthened.
Indeed! I'm glad to hear that my
wishes find favor somewhere"
"Bivens further confided in me the
fact that he is hopelessly and desper-
ately in love with YOU"
A flash of anger mantled Mans
cheeks.
THAT will do, Jim," she said in quiet
cold tones. Your joke has gone far
enough"
Joke! Do you think could joke on
such a subject?"
A smile began to play about the cor
ners Of the full lips.
You don't mean it-really?"
Certainly. He told me so in the
plainest sort of blunt English. And
you mean to say that you nave not
suspected it?"
Il never dreamed he was so easy!'
Still smiling dreamily Nan crossed her
hands over her knees and studied the
pattern in the rug, ignoring the pres
ence of her lover.
Then you underestimate your pow
ers."
Evidently"
Her eyes were laughing again mis-
chievously.
Let's not joke, Nan. It's too seri-
ous."
Serious! fail to see it."
Cant you see that we must at once
announce our engagement"
The girls lips curled with the faint
est suggestion of sarcasm.
Il don't see it at all. You may be a
logic"
Stuart rose with the gesture of an
ger.
Come to the point, Nan. Let's not
beat the devil around the stump any
longer. You know as well as l do
that you've been trying to fiirt with
this little insect"
Trying to fiirt?"
Yes"
Trying? Don't you think l could il
I wished without bungling the effort
What a poor opinion you hold of my
talent"
You know in your heart of hearts
you despise Bivens."
"On the contrary, l vastly admire
handicap this big heartless city and
successfully smash the giants who
oppose him Is not an insect. I'd rath-
er call him a hero. All women ad-
mire success"
Il see," Stuart replied with sup
pressed fury, you enjoy your con-
quest"
And why not?" she drawled, with
lazy Indifference.
Nan fixed her dark eyes on Stuart.
How dare you use such word tC
me?"
Because it's true and you know it,
True or false, you can't say it,
she rose deliberately-'you may &C
now!"
Forgive me, dear" Stuart STAN
mered in a queer muffied voice. 81
didn't mean to hurt you. l was mad
with jealousy"
You may co." was the hard ever
answer.
Il can't go like this, dearest" he
pleaded. You must forgive me-yor
must. Look at mel"
She turned slowly, stared him full
i'm the face for a moment without the
quiver of an eyelid. her fine figure
tense, erect, cold, as she quietly said:
You are firing me, Jim"
For an instant an impulse of over
whelming anger mastered him. He
returned her look with one Of concen'
trated rage and their eyes met in the
first supreme clash of wills. For