The Monte Vista journal., 1912-06-15
CHAPTER i.-(Continued.)

que. though aware that he could not
have. caring the way he did.
why not tell me? I'm waiting,
Garrett"
We'll. ;" It was difficult: an
impertinence: incredible besides But
now that he had committed himself.
ne sunened resolve and plunged. 1T
was said that your engagement to this
man Blackstock 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 her silence spun for
him an hour of anguish.
Katherine :"
She turned. "Yes?"
Have you nothing to say?" he
asked involuntarily. and at once re-
gretted 1t.
What do you wish me to say?" Her
tone was dull. as If she spoke me-
chanically. with mind detached.
Either affirm or deny. You owe me
that. at least"
DO II" She seemed surprised.
But what" she pursued. rousing.
does this man Blackstock'-"
You know don't like him. KatlI-
crime. | can't"
But | can and do, Garrett"
There was simplicity in that, almost
confessional His fears assailed him
more imperiously.
Then It's true? Don't tell me that!"
What does Mr.. Blackstock say?"
81 haven't interviewed him. OF
course. I seemed too absurd"
WHY"
The only report he had at command
was pitifully inadequate: Because |
love you"
"Is 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 1t 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?"
mot 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
ly-care for him.
I'm trying to be sure. Garrett. be-
fore 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 1t he could
not bring himself to tell what he knew
OF the man by hearsay. II very cred.
ibly Personal defects. lack OF breed.
ing. and the like were all unstable OBJ
jections. In the end the best
he could do. since some sort OF an an
swer was essential, was to frame n
hating. inconclusive: Hes not the
sort. :"
She mislnterproted his confusion
81 know what you're thinking: that
he's not spoke in our particular so.
cial Wheel an outsider. Must | con.
denim him for that Are there no
right men. Garrett, but yourself and
others of our 'set?' ! know he has
his lacks; ! fancy you'd call him
crude. II you were candid with me
But men OF his genius. his upbringing
Not that concede any
crudlty In him; it's hardly that: he
merely lacks--something- difficult TO
name It, not cultivation. not senslbill.
". but. I'd say friends"
He has many. ."
SO she cared enough to fight for
himl There was bitterness. surpass
Ing the bitterness of aloos In that dis
coyery
81 mean the right kind. yourself. for
instance: friends to bring him out
He's quick. adaptable Of a good fami
y-lf not wealthy one"
Coast fell back upon .he one men
tionable objection OF which he had
certain knowledge Hes got a vii
la,nous temper"
Friends you'd teach him to control
It. And there are excuses for that:
his ..ght-his eyes are In a bad way
He msIred tpem seriously. somehow.