Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1912-03-23

W
those who remained, Il have no quar-
rel with you. 1 do not want any. Do
you understands He wiped his hands
with his handkerchief, smoothed his
hair and walked past them
AS calmly as he could he hurried
through the Hobbies 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 committee 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 as 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 1 do not understand myself
and my duty. l ask you to retire"
He stood there a moment, still NUT
LGr1nR his WTdIu1ul pTOleSL, DdL LII IAAC
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 a 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.
81 can do at least one decent thing
! today" he burst out. Il can come to
| you man fashion and ask you to re-
lease me from our engagement of this
evening. 1 know, of course, you
wouldn't go to the ball with me after
what has happened But there's a
| deeper reason. I am going to tell it to
you. Don't misunderstood me. 1 don't
know the right words to use. Any
way 1 put it may sound as though 1
were a cad But understand me, Mad
eleine-as my friend understand me.
You have been wise. You have coun-
seled me. L need a friend nowr' His
voice broke, and she waited. 1--WE
come to my senses Oh, it's no dis
credit to you that 1 thought I loved
you. 1 thought So"
Your love would honor any woman,
Harlan"
81 couldn't say it to some girls" he
cried. ''They would not see how it
was. But 1 can only tell you the
| TRUTH
''Wait a moment" she said, interrupt
ing you are not just yourself. Let
me talk to you Only a little while
ago a 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. Waltz She
| heard all that from the first one she
asked She has told me so. She be-
| lieves fti''
Believes it'll What did you tell
her?''
'Wait, I say. L have shown patience
this afternoon. 1 waited for her to
speak. Let me tell you what she said
while 1 waited She said she wanted
you to be a great man. She knew, so
she told me, that she only brought
trouble and distress to you. She want
ed to see me so that she might know
If 1 were the one who could help you
in your career. I'll not tell you what
she said to me about myself She is
sweet and gracious girl. that little
Clare, Harlan She said she knew 1
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 I didn't believe 1t existed Did
your
Tears were on his cheeks
st know herr he choked-
She understood his answer. She
waited a little while
"And I love her above all the honors
and treasures OF this world"
She stood up
"Tm going to find her." he went on
"You understand me. don't you, Made
leineT'