The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1912-07-05
Little Bald
Head

AsMARIA CRAWFORD

why"
They were having late supper at
table in an alcove in large restaur
ant. The gold tassel at the side O
her little theater cap swayed slight,
as she leaned her head over, starins
at the white cloth with its mound O.
yellow roses.
'Look at me, Helenl It's higl
time that we threshed this thing
out" continued John Haldon quiet
ly.
Helen Rayner's face flushed pain
fully. "I-I wish you wouldn't dis
euss such personal things-here."
Nobody is listening to us. Dear
Sherwood is grinning his usua
She'll never have you, my boy snd
l am not willing to submit to ex'
pressive public speculation any
more. You'll either have to take me
now or chuck me over for good
won't hang fire another day."
"Mercy, John! You astonisk me
You are SO dramatic. Be pleasant
and let's enjoy this excellent cup.
per-"
"Helen, I have put a plain qdes.
ton to you. can't force you to an.
swer, but l ask you to for the last
time. You can't play with me and
my love for you another day."
Her eyes met his for a fleeting
second and she saw stern look on
his face that forbade further bar ter.
ing.
"What is it you want to know,
John ?"
'Do You still admit that you love
mew
eyes. You must know that do
"Then why aren't you willing to
marry me? l can offer you all that
your father is able to give YOU"
81 am not ready to settle down. ]
want to have a good time. When q
girl is not yet twenty-five she
doesn't want to give up all her fun.
"Granted, but why give it up? Ii
it because you want other men
around ?"
"No. As it is, I go practically
everywhere, with you now"
Helen, it's because of Tom Gray.
ner. You want to remain single I'm.
til after he comes home with your
brother in, the spring. He has more
money than ! have. Are you mer.
eenary, after all ?"
eff I didn't love you, John Hal
don, ] would never speak to you
again. I'll tell you why l haven't
wanted to marry you. You have SC
many theories, IL have been afraid
l would fail as your wife. Now
that's the truth"
"What do you mean, Helen?"
"You believe in what you cal
brotherhood and try to help people
who are less fortunate than you are
You believe in really doing service
for your friends. For instance, when
Jim Thornton's trouble came and
demonstrated with you for giving up
your time as well as your money to
help him, you said, 'Anybody't
money can accomplish as much as
mine, but nobody can do for that
boy as can, for he loves me and
has faith in me. With little en-.
couragement and help from me, he
will soon get on his feet again. He
will do whatever l expect of him
| never forgot those words. They
were indicative of your outlook on
people in general and ON me in par
ticular. I am afraid to fail you"
81 don't expect any help from
you, aea:
that's just it. You think you
won't, but If we ever come to mar.
risge, you would be sorry that you
had taken a woman who was in nc
sense your helpmeet. l know, John,
I have thought about it great
many times and tried to laugh the
fear out of my heart"
sDon't say that, Helen. It's like
aywhip in my face"
'You expect SO much OF q woman.
Perhaps / am not the woman you
want to marry. / am selfish. AL
my life I've been warm, silk-lined
and well fed. 1 have never thought
of anybody's comfort but my own"
'Heredity and environment have
created that attitude. When the
time comes for, any service, you will
not be lacking either in willingness
Fsr-ReaohIns influence.
1T IL not possible to know how Tar
the influence OF any su1iable. honest
hearted. duty-doing man flows out In