The Ekalaka eagle. [volume] (Ekalaka, Mont.) 1909-1920, 1912-01-12

son being that both are in love with kath-
crime Thaxter.
CHAPTER I.-(continued.)
He felt her eyes upon him, seriously
sweet and questioning, and frowned
slightly, wishing he had held his ton
que. though aware that he could not
have, caring the way he did.
why not tell me? I'm waiting.
Barrett"
We'll. . :" It was difficult: an
mpertinence; incredible, besides. But
now that he had committed himself,
he stlnened a resolve and plunged. 1T
was said that your engagement to this
man Blackstcck would be announced
before long,"
That out bluntly, he caught a long
breath and, divided between fear and
faith, sat watching her.
The seconds of Ter silence spun for
him an hour If anguish.
katherine . :"
She turned. "Yes?"
Have you nothing to say?" he
asked in%voluntarily, and at once re-
gretted 1t.
What do you wish me to say?" Her
tone was dull, as If she spoke me-
chemically, with a mind detached.
Either affirm or deny. You wv me
that, at least"
DO II" She seemed surprised.
But what" she pursued. rousing,
does this man Blackstock'-"
You know I don't like him, Katll-
crime. l can't"
But l can and do, Garrett"
There was simplicity in that. almost
confessional. His fears assaulted him
more imperiously.
Then it's true? Don't tell me that"
What does Mr.. Blackstock say?"
Il haven't interviewed him, Of
course. l seemed too absurd"
"Why?"
The only report he had at command
was pitifully inadequate: Because |
love you"
rs that any reason why Mr.. Black
stock should not?"
There are reasons why you
shouldn't let your name be coupled
with his"
And they are-?'
She put it crisply. His heart sank,
foreseeing defeat. He veered at a
tangent, evasive. You haven't an
swered me. Is there any truth in this
rumor?"
Not yet"
you mean it may be true-later?"
Its possible" she affirmed quietly.
"Mr. Blackstock has asked me to
marry him; he hasn't as yet had my
answer"
katherine! . You can't real
iy-care for him."
I'm trying to be sure, Garrett. be
fore l tell him so-or you"
"But-but you mustn't! . . . The
things Impossible. YOU"
You'll tell me why?"
Her composure was SOLDERING. He
got himself more in hand: she was
not to be moved by storming, he
knew. Reason. logic, an appeal to her
intelligence: she would require these
of him. Yet when put to it he could
not bring himself to tell what he knew
of the man by hearsay, If very cred
IDLY. Personal defects, lack of breed.
Ing, and the like were all unstable OBJ
jections. In the end the best
he could Go, since some sort of an an
swer was essential, was to frame
halting. inconclusive: Hes not the
sort.
She misinterpreted his confusion
NJ know what you're thinking: that
he's not a spoke in our particular so
cial wheel; an outsider. Must | con
denim him for that? Are there NJ
right men, Garrett, but yourself ant
others of our 'set?' | know he ha:
his lacks; | fancy you'd call hin
crude, If you were candid with me
But men of his genius, his upbringins
Not that l concede an,
crudity in him: it's hardly that: hi
merely Observation-Disclosures t.
name it; not cultivation, not sensibili
ty, but, I'd say friends"
He has many. :" -
So she cared enough to. fight fo,
him! There was bitterness. surpass
ing the bitterness Of aloes, In that dis
covery.
Il the right kind, yourself. fo1
instance; friends to bring him out
He's quick, adaptable, OF a good fam
ly-if not a wealthy one"
Coast fell back upon the one men
tionable objection of which he ha,
nortofu knowlod0o "Ho'c uo< ~,