The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1911-06-08

always seem to-keep something
back. You Will begin eagerly TO say
something 10 me, and then you will
stop, you have never said straight
out and heartily, Il love you, Steven:
and then you will almost fly to meet
me-and when l get you in my arms,
pull away from me on the instant
What is it-are you afraid of me?"
"A baby would not be afraid OF
you, you nice, big, kind thing, you
What a silly idea! And Of course
oh, girl, speak out for once-say
We'll, them do-Iove YOU.
Steve!" Her tone was low, but sure.
But I've known you only six
months, and that's a very short
And that has nothing on earth or
in heaven to do with loving!" he sub
mitted impatiently. Il never lived
until l met you and love began life
for me! And as for you, you've
known Tom Austin since Won We're
an infant, and you don't love him
1 trusti"
No" she laughed, Ct don't-but
father and mother do. Why drag
poor defeated Tom into an otherwise
interesting conversation? And 1 do
trust you, but mother says I'm by
half too impulsive, and explosive
and responsive, and that-real love
makes haste slowly"
She's forgotten her youth-what a
senseless statement the young man
said wrathfully What eise?"
We'll, she says 1 should be per-
fectly sure of myself"
More rubbish, and not of the Sigh
More rubbish, and not of the
slightest importance, so long as I am
sure of you! You don't have to be
sure of anything but just me, and of
my love for you, Alice-do you hear?''
She nodded her head, for mere
words would not answer the yearning
in his voice.
The two had been spending the
evening with friends and were walk
ing slowly back to the girls home,
both reluctant to go indoors, the man
loath TO let her out of his sight. Some
way, he could not say how, she
seemed to be slipping from him.
Deep in his heart he was afraid
of Tom Austin-and of her parents
They had without great resistance
consented to the engagement. but the
mother had skillfully made il a con-
dition that they should not marry for
year, at the very least.
Then Austin, with all his money
and his real attractiveness Just in
himself, had gone promptly to Flo
rida, to extensive farming. This would
not have been alarming, but Alice's
family had a winter home there-and
well, it was too much for Stevens
fear and jealousy.
Alice he said, when they were
almost to her door. 81 want you TO
marry me-now, mean, this fall
Will your
She gave a little start of surprise,
but before she could speak he pressed
his claim in words that could not be
denied straight answer.
Don't you want to, child? Just
what are We waiting for? | can give
you a home and comfort, if not the
luxury you are used to-that will
come later-but don't you want to
marry me-soon?" His tone COM
PEELED a reply.
YES" she said. "I-think I do
but I'm sure it can't be done-moth-
er would be wild. You know she
stipulated for a year, and we tacitly
consented for the sake Of peace. She
thinks that I'm-pretty Young"
You're pretty and young-further
reasons for my wanting to have you
all to myself. Waiting can't make
me love you MORE hope ii could
not make you love me less. What's
the use-or the real reason behind
1t? Are you all going south this
winter?'
We'll, I was just wondering how
l could tell you. You see, Maude is
not quite as well as usual, so they
have decided TO leave in October in
stead Of waiting until January, as
usual. 1t, can't seem to be helped DR..
Wakefield thinks it would be the best
for her, ii seems. OF course, nobody
really needs me, when you can't step
without walking on a nurse or a
servant. But 1 can't refuse to go.
Mother would cry and take on, and
father depends on me to help keep
the peace. 1 don't see" she hest
tated as they came to the porch, and
he spoke.
We'll, I shall probably not cry and
take on but 1 need you. and you
are mine, and my claim is before
theirs, Alcie. 1 need my wife, and I
need her now! Have you ever really
considered my loneliness, my position
during this unnecessary waiting? If
there was any real reason for it it
would be different. Rut thav do not