The Progressive West Virginian. [volume] (Williamson, W. Va.) 1911-1913, 1912-06-06
CHAPTER XIV.
RuooIes, OFFER.

Rugges' Offer.
He felt as he waited for her In that
fower-f1lled room, for she had recov-
cred from her distaste for flowers, as
he glanced at the photographs Of wom-
en- like herself in costumes more or
less frank, moreN or less vulgar, he
felt as though he wanted to knock
down the walls and let in big view
Of the west--of Montana-of the hills.
With such setting he thought he
could better talk with the lady whom
he had come to see.
Ruggles held an unlighted cigar be-
tween his fingers and goosefesh rose
all over him. His glasses bothered
him. He couldn't get them bright
enough, though he polished them half
dozen times on his silk handker-
chief. His clothes felt too large. He
seemed to have shrunken. He moist
ened his lips. cleared his throat, tried
to remember what kind of fellow he
had been at Dams age. At Dams age
he was selling suspender patent on
the road, supporting his mother and
his sisters-hard work and few temp
tations: he was too tired and too
poor
Miss Lane kept him waiting ten
minutes, and they were hours to her
guest. He was afraid every minute
that Dan would come in. The thoughts
he had gathered together, the plan of
action, disarranged itself in his mind
every time he thought Of the actress.
He couldn't forget his vision Of her
on the stage or at the Carlton, where
she had sat opposite them and be.
witched them both. When she came
into the sitting-room at length, he
started SO violently that he knocked
over vase OF flowers, the water
trickling all over the table down on
to the floor.
She had dazzled him before the foot
| lights, charmed him at dinner, and II
was singular to think that he knew
how this dignified, quiet creature
looked in ballet clothes and in 8
dinner dress, whose frankness ha6
made him catch his breath. It was
third woman who stood before
Ruggles now. He had to take her into
consideration. She had expected him
saw him by appointment. She haG
not climbed to her starry position
without having acquired a knowledge
Of men, and 1t was the, secret Of hel
success. She showed 1t in the dress
In which she received her visitor. Shs
wore a short walking skirt Of heavy
serge, simple shirtwaist beltet
around. sailor hat on her beautiful
little head. She was unjeweled ant
implanted. very pale and very sweet
It II had not been for the marks o
fatigue under her eyes, she would no
have looked more than eighteen. Oh
her left hand single diamond, clea
as water, caught the refracted light
"How-de-do? Glad you are bacl
again."
She gave him big chair and sa
down before him smiling. Leanin,
her elbows on her knees, she sam
her face upon her hands and locke,
at him, not coquettishly in the least
but as a child might have looked
| From her small feet to her goldel
head she was utterly charming.
i Ruggles made himself think OF Oar
Miss Lane spoke slowly. noddin
toward him, in her languid voice: at
no use, Mr.. Ruggles. no USE"
4 Holding her face between her hand.
her eyes gray as winters seas and q
profound. she looked at him intently
then, in a fash. she changed her pt
sition and instantly transformed he
character. He saw that she was
woman. not an eighteen-year-old cir
but woman. clever, poised, witty, III
Outstanding, and that she might hav
been twenty years older than the DO.
I'm sorry you spoke so quick" b
, said.
Il knew" she interrupted, "jui
! what you wanted to say from til
start. II couldn't help it, could
! knew you would want to come an
, see me about 1t. It isn't any use.
! know just what you are going to say
. mo. ma'am." he returned, II don
! believe you do-bright as you are"
|, Ruggles gazed thoughtfully at IL
! cold end of his unlighted cigar,
a was y comfort to him to hold 1t ar
. to look at 1t, although not for an
. thing in the world would he ha,
Q asked to light it.
! Dams father and me were chum
We went through pretty much
gether, and know how he felt I
most points. He was man Of fe
words, but know he counted on N
to stand by the boy" 81 :