Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1912-01-08


I'm so glad" She sighed II want
ed to see you-to talk to you alone" RI
He bit his lip in his annoyance, shiv-
ering with presentiment what
about. Josie?'
About Wednesday night, after pray
Ter meeting. Why didn't you wait for
me?'
store, you know. There were some
checks to be made out and sent off.
and I'd forgotten them. Besides" he
added on inspiration. you were talk
ing with Roland. and didn't want to
interrupt you"
$50 you left me to 60 home with
him?'
why. what else
you're making me awful unhap-
py" Her voice trembled. You knew
didn't want to walk home with Ro-
land"
How could | know that?"
II should think you ought to know
it, Nat. unless you're blind. Besides.
told you once"
True" he fenced desperately, "but
that was long time ago, and how
could be sure you hadn't changed
your mind? BESIDES, you know, ]
mustn't monopolize you. If do
"Well?"
"Why, if | do-ah"-
IF you're afraid people will talk
about us. seeing us so much together.
you needn't worry. They're doing
that now"
why. Josie!'
"Yes. they are. We've been going to-
gether so long. And even now you
don't seem glad to see me-"
You should know am"
you don't act like it,
"Its so unexpected" he muttered
retchedly.
you didn't really think ! wanted
Roland Barnette to 60 home with me
Wednesday night, did you. Nat"
ut seemed so. but that's all right.
Why shouldn't your
She turned to him. trembling a lit
tie. Must l tell you. Nat?"
"Oh. nov he cried in dismay.
"Please don'tw
II see must" she persisted. You're
so blind. IT,
Josie, don't say anything you'll be
sorry for" he entreated wildly.
II can't help it; I've got to. 1t was
it was because I wanted to be with
you. There" she gasped. frightened
by her own forwardness. Now I've
said it,"
Duncan grasped frantically at
straws. but you don't really mean
it. Josie. You know you don't" he
foundered. you're just saying that
because you-you have such kind
heart -ah-don't want to hurt me
-ah- because"-
NAT" she said gently. looking up
into his face would it make you hap
by to know | really meant it?'
"Why-ah- why shouldn't it. Josie?"
"Then please believe me when | say
it."
"But l do believe it. r. He STAN
mered and fell still.
because do like you. Nat. very
much and-and it's very hard for me
to know that folks think I'm pursuing
|
me-"
"Josie" he exclaimed reproachfully.
"Well. that's the way 1t looks" she
affirmed plaintively. "You don't want
it to, do you"
"Why, no; Of course don't"
"Then why don't you stop it," She
watched his face, her manner coy and
| IL % cI,o I'll L.,
voice, "if you like me as we'll as like
you
He moved away a pace or two
"Ah. child" he said. with feeling
that the term was not misapplied
somehow, you don't know what
you're saying!'
Eyes, do" she pouted. II don't
ooh, Josie. please
"Well, anyway you've never told me
So" She turned an indignant shoulder
to him.
"How could II"
"Why couldn't you?"
"But don't you see that / shouldn't,
Josie?" He turned back to her SIDE
looked down at her. pleaded his de-
Tense with the fire of desperation
Just think, you are an only daugh-
ter"-just what this had to do with
>he case was not plain even to him
ian only daughter" he repeated-"a
not only your fathers only daughter
but your mothers only daughter
Your father -ah-is my friend. How
unfair it would be to him to-
But the girl interrupted with deci-
sion. "But papa wants you to. He
told me So"
He could only pretend not to under
stand. But consider, Josie. You are
rich, an heiress. I'm a poor man.
Would you like 1t to be said was
after your money!
"No one would dare say such
thing" she asserted. with profound
conviction.
ooh. yes, they would! You don't
know the world as do. And for all
you know they might be right. How
do you know that
"Nat!' A catch in her voice stopped
| him. Don't say such horrid things.
l could tell-a woman always can.
know Won would be incapable of such