The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1911-03-09

because you-you have such a kind
heart and--ah don't want to hurt me
--ah- because"
MAT" she said gently. looking M
into his face. would It make yon hap
py to know ! really meant ItT'
"Why -ah- why shouldn't II, JosieT
"Then please believe me when ! say
t."
"But I do believe IT, r. He STAN
mered and fell still.
Because do like you. Nat, very
much. and-and it's very hard for me
to know that folks think I'm pursuing
you and thnt you're trying to avoid
me-"
Josie" he exclaimed reproachfully
well. that's the pny II looks" she
affirmed plaintively. You don't wnRt
1t to, do your
"why, no; Of course I don't"
Then why don't you stop itf' She
watched his face. her manner coy and
yielding. NAT" she said in softer
voice, IF you like me as we'll as | like
you
He moved away a pace or two.
"Ah, child" he said. with a feeling
that the term was not misapplied
somehow you don't know what
you're saying!'
Eyes. do" she pouted IL don I
believe you care anything about me-"
"Oh. Josie. please
"Well. anyway you've never told me
So" She turned an indignant shoulder
to him.
How could I?'
"Why couldn't your"
But don't you see that | shouldn't
Josie?" He turned back to her side,
looked down at her. pleaded his de-
fense with the fire of desperation
"Just think. you are an only daugh-
ter''-just what this had TO do with
the case was not plain even to him
IAN only daughter" he repeated-"ah
not only your fathers only daughter,
but your mothers only daughter.
Your father-ah-is my friend. How
unfair 1t would be to him to-
But the girl interrupted with deci-
sion. But papa wants you to. He
told me So"
He could only pretend not to under
stand But consider. Josie. You are
rich. an hcircss. I'm poor man.
Would you like It to be said l was
after your money!
mo one would dare say such q
thing" she asserted. with profound
conviction.
"Oh. yes, they would You don't
know the world as do. And for all
you know they might be right. How
do you know that
"NatW A catch in her voice stopped
| him. Don't say such horrid things
| could tell--a woman always can.
know you would he incapable of such
has ever got ahead of papa, and he
says you are a fine. steady, Christian
man and he would rather see me your
wife than any
"Josiep'
The lnterjection was so imperative
that she was sienced "Why, what
Nat" she asked, rising.
"The time has come" he declared
"You must know the truth"
"Qh, Natw
"I'm not what you think me-" he
continued dramatically.
"Oh, Natw
"Nor what your father thinks me
nor what anybody else in this towr
thinks me. I'm not regular Chris
tian--it's all a bluff | didn't know
anything about a church till | came
here ! smoke, and ! drink. and
swear, and | gamble, and | only Gu
them all out in order to trick you int,
caring for me!'
"Oh. Nat, don't believe itv'
"Alas, Josie" he protested violently
ATS true, only too true!"
"But you did II to win my love
Natr'
"Ye-es" He saw suddenly that b,
had made a fatal mistake.
"Then. Nat, | will be your wife II
spite OF ALL"
He found himself suddenly caugh
about the neck by the girls arms
His head was drawn down until he
cheek caressed his and he felt her lip
warm upon his own.
"Josie!" he gasped.
NAT, my darlingp'
With a supreme effort he pulle'
himself together and embraced tn
girl. Josie" he said earnestly, 81
I'm going to try to be good husban'
to you And that" he concluded, soft
voce, wasn't in the agreement"
She held him TO her passionately
"Dearest. I'm so gladP'
''It makes me very happy to knoN
you are, JOSIE" he murmured miseI
ably, and to himself while she sti
trembled in his embrace: What a Gu
u In ,E NJ q