The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1912-12-13

,-,.s-s srSo1-- uA calls upon katherine.
Katherine's peril in a runaway re-
veals to her and John their unspoken
olive. John publicly turns down"
the machine of his party.
John will not compromise with his
conscience even for the sake of win
ming Katherine, and the two part.
"Now that it's all over l can admire
your refusing to make that speech. 1t
was splendid in a way. You see, l
can appreciate unselfis hness in the alb
stract or when it can't be remedied."
81 told you that wasn't unselfish. II
was Involuntary" he insisted. But
can add to the evidence-your kindly.
even if mistaken, interest in me and
my future And you mustn't sneer at
yourself" he added gravely.
She turned to look fairly into his
eyes. do you still think it necessary
to let me down easily?" she asked
quietly.
His body became rigid, nails biting
into palms in the effort not to take
her in his arms. For, without reason
ing, he knew that to accept now what
she unasked had offered would be to
place himself in her power. And that
he dared not. For long moment their
eyes clung then at the same instant
they both looked hastily away.
The silent minutes lengthened as the
| cob drew them slowly up the face OF
East ridge. Behind them lay the val
| ley, always beautiful, never so won
drous as in the pallor of night; but
they looked steadfastly ahead.
To his credit be it written John did
not think carpingly Of her boldness-
| let us use the word he used, courage
| His longing was not lessened because
she had abandoned the woman's weap-
| on of indirection for the mans frank
ness Yet his hold on himself did not
relax-it became even the more secure
And he wondered at the strength now
revealed within him, able to resist the
! temptation OF her. lie knew all that
she was, and he knew, too, that he de.
sired, would always desire. her above
all good things that life holds, yet be-
tween them stood an ideal that was still
essential to him. And he believed that
he had strength to put her-the tempta'
tion-away from him.
He put aside his self measuring.
From what? What was he to do that
made impossible the taking of this girl
by his side, his to take?
He had said in answer to her ques'
ton, 81 don't know. Let them beat me
/ suppose" He suddenly knew that
was not true. He must make his fight
A warm glow enveloped him, his blood
quickened. He spoke aloud.
81 will fight them"
She turned to look at him again
you have thought as far ahead as to-
morrow" she said steadily.
Further than that"
When he had helped her to alight at
her home both her hands were in his
lie did not release them, nor did she
seek to disturb his clasp. She met his
gaze unfalteringly.
"Listenw he said gently. 81 didn't
know that you cared. l, too care-far
more than you will believe"
| i Know you care, Sne answered
simply. "And why you won't-take
| me-"
al have known 1t ever since OuI
ride" he went on. "That is why have
not seen you since, and poor man has
not the right to do more than ask wo
man used to luxury to share his life-hC
must not try to persuade. And he has
not the right to ask any woman, unless
she can sympathize with him, hell
him in his work If she couldn't II
would bring her unhappiness and de
stroy his work. You-I-we are not
In sympathy. And a mans work, hi:
place in life. must come first"
"If / could only be sure Of myself!
she cried. "YOu are so many things
that care for and you refuse to take
so many things that care for"
''The things that you care for car
be had only at the expense of the
things that are-that hope are-indls
pensable to me. l don't mean to b'
priggish."
"You aren't priggish," she answered
quickly. Then she went on: 81 won
der, can one make oneself over?
wish now that / could. But then per
haps that is only because 1t is-now
Perhaps tomorrow, when. ! weigh yo'