The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1912-06-06

most pitiable Of creatures--a lonely,
cynical. selfish. loveless woman.
wonder why tell you thisY" She
leaned forward abruptly. What are
we going to do about itT'
THAT II what came to find out"
"NO: you came to tell me what
must do. You put the issue squarely.
one Of US must retire in the others
| favor. That amounts to u challenge.
doesn't IT, It's too bad we have this
| dislike to contend with. Your natural
state is lighting. and | suppose you
don't mind one fight more But
don't want TO fight for my happiness
or possible happiness. especially when
| run the risk of losing 1t altogether.
| We both run that risk. Don't you
think" there was the faintest twinkle
IN her eyes don't you think it would
be wise. don't you think 1t would be
good politics. to ignore our dislike and
share the spoilsT'
NO. think should have done
better to let you die in the mills"
Il don't understand why
For an instant the luxurious, firelit
library faded away from her sight
She stood amid the CRIME and roar Of
the mills She felt herself caught in
an iron grasp which dragged her to
Nard death Then n strong hand seiz-
ID her and she stood before hot eyed
,oung giant
lis IL possible? Yes. you are the man
who saved me I'm the mills. II Is hard
to realize He was an uncouth, un
grammatical young rufIian, as re
member. while you-you are an educat-
ed She hesitated.
An educated rufIian." he concluded
dryly.
She regarded him with new respect,
a respect which Bob remembering the
girl who had houted him as of lower
order of creation. resented.
"I'm no more than | was then. |
have more. but | am no more"
A detail of the scene in the mills re
Cured to her. "Ah. ! remember that
| forgot to thank you for saving my
life. That was very ungrateful !
suppose ! should do so now. 1t really
was very good Of you"
"You needn't thank me. Besides" ="
he added 81 mly. lit was unintentional.
I assure you-purely an impulse"
She laughed uncertainty. But sure
ly you can't expect me to remain at
swords points with the man who
saved my lifeT'
His face hardened. "Then keep out
Of my way"
you mean It," she said in curious.
ly regretfu tone. 'That is part Of
you. remember you said the same
TO me that night in the mills. Keep
out of my way It explains your life,
doesn't It? You have gone steadily.
relentlessy forward, brushing aside
every one who stood in your way
And now that | seem to interfere with
your plans you are quite capable Of
sweeping me aside. or Mr. Remington
either. without thought of what II
means to us. You are relentless! Sup
pose." she asked slowly, suppose |
were 10 send him away. would you
take II as mark Of gratitude for sav
ing my life as favor to your"
Bob hesitated. After all. II was the
easiest solution. and sometimes con
cession is victory. And she was very
beautiful. very alluring, so far out of
his reach With an effort he recalled
his resentment against her and the old
prideful belief in his self sufIiciency.
mo! You owe me nothing. and !
want no favors from you"
They both rose, Mrs. Gilbert facing
him with laugh in her eyes.
80 be it," she said pleasantly. IL
must accept your hostility. You pay
me fine compliment, Mr.. McAdoo.
The truth is you're jealous-jealous as
a schoolgirl. Mr. McAdoo. And afraid
of me. / can be very dangerous
enemy-if choose. If should choose
TO accept your c.allenge and to take
away from you your dearest posses
sion-your happiness, Mr.. McAdoo-
you would be helpless to prevent IL,
You have no weapons to fight me
And you know it. Else why are you
here today?" She laughed
II wish to God" he cried bitterly, II
had let you die in the millsr'
Smiling, she watched him turn and
leave her Then she sat down before
the fire, looking into its flames with
amused eyes The CLEAN of amuse.
ment faded into reiectiveness, reflec-
tiveness into wistfulness. She sighed.