The Julesburg grit-advocate., 1912-03-21

rel with you. l do not want any. Do
you understandT He wiped his hands
with his handkerchief. smoothsd his
hair and walked past them.
As calmly as he could he hurried
through the lobbies and the rotundA Of
the statehouse. The crowds were thin
ming. The band had gone The wo-
men had scattered to prepare for the
ball Of the evening. Among the few
that were left he could not find Clare.
He went back to his COMMITTEES room
and pondered until dusk fell.
One matter presented itself to his
mood as a duty. He called carriage
and was driven to the Presson home.
Madeleine came down In answer to
his card. But Us she entered the re-
ception room her father followed at
her heels. beginning threats as he
came in.
Father" she said quietly, II have
just listened to you. You need not
fear that l do not understand myself
and my duty. l ask you to retire."
He stood there moment, still NUT
tering his wrathful protest. but in the
end her dignity mastered him. He
went away.
What she did next amazed the young
man who stood there waiting. She
came to him and patted his cheek.
my poor boy" she said softly and
drew him down beside her on q couch.
For moment the words he had
come prepared to say deserted him.
He could not speak. He found sincere
compassion in her eyes-sympathy and
something else which he did not faith
ON.
Il can do at least one decent thing
today" he burst out. II can come to
you man fashion and ask you to re-
lease me from our engagement Of this
evening. know, Of course. you
wouldn't go to the ball with me after
what has happened. But there's a
deeper reason. am going to tell 1t to
you. Don't misunderstood me- don't
know the right words to use. Any
way I put 1t may sound as though I
were a cad. But understand me, Mad
eleine-as my friend understand me.
You have been wise. You have coun-
seled me. need friend now" His
voice broke, and she waited. "I've
come to my senses. Oh. its NO dis
credit to you that thought I loved
you. thought So"
your love would honor any woman.
Harlan"
II couldn't say 1t to some girls," he
cried. "They would not see how it
was. But I can only tell you the
TRUTH
Wait 4 moment" she said. interrupt
ing. You are not just yourself. Let
me talk to you. Only little while
ago girl came to me. She had heard.
There were plenty to tell her when
she asked. 1t has been reported that
our engagement would be announced
after the legislative ball. Wait! She
heard all that from the first one she
asked. She has told me 20. She BE-
ueves it!'
Believes I'll What did you tell
her2''
"Wait, say. have shown patience
this afternoon. l waited for her to
speak. Let me tell you what abe said
while waited. She said she wanted
you to be 4 great man. She knew, so
che told me, that she only brought
trouble and distress to you. She want
ed to see me SO that she might know
IL l were the one who could help you
in your career. III not tell you what
she said to me about myself. She IL q
sweet and gracious girl, that little
Clare, Harlan. She said she knew
could help you In your work In life.
And she wanted to tell me the little
story Of you two-she wanted to fore
stall gossip that might hurt you in my
eyes. And she gave you to me- Har-
Ian, have heard Of that kind Of love,
but l didn't believe 1t existed. Did
your
Tears were on his cheeka
II know herI' he choked
She understood his answe. She
waited a little while.
And 1 love her above all the honors
and treasures Of this world"
She stood up.
"rm going to ind her." he went on.
"You understand me, don't you, Made
laiuAS'