The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1912-03-01
CHAPTER XIV. Construed.

But through 1t all ran the golden
thread Of love. At first he had been
content just to ride with Dede AMI to
be on comradely terms with her; but
the desire and the need for her In
creased. The more he knew of her.
the higher was his appraisal. Had
she been reserved and naughty with
him. or been merely giggling. sim
pering creature of woman, it would
have been different Instead, she
amazed him with her simplicity and
wholesomeness. with her great store
OF comradeliness. The latter was the
unexpected. He had never looked
upon woman In that way Woman.
the toy; woman. the harpy: woman.
the necessary wife and mother of the
races offspring all this had been his
expectation and understanding Of
woman. But woman. the comrade and
playfellow and joyfellow this was
what Dede had surprised him in And
the more she became worth while. the
more ardently his love burned. un-
consciously shading his voice with
caresses, and with equal unconscious
ness faring up signal fires In his eyes
Nor was she blind to it, yet. like many
women before her. she thought to play
with the pretty fire and escape the
consequent conflagration
Winter will soon be coming on,
she said regretfully and with provoca-
ton. one day. and then there won't
be any more riding
But must see you in the winter
lust the same" he cried hastily
She shook her head,
I've been pretty good" he declared
II leave 1t to you II haven't It's
been pretty hard. too. ! can tell you.
You just think It over, Not once have
said a word about love to you. and
me loving you. all the time That's
going some for man that's used to
having his own way. I'm somewhat
Of q rnsher when 1t comes to travel
ing. i reckon Id rush God Almighty
II It came to race over the ice And
vet didn't rush you ] guess this
fact Is an indication OF how much
do love you OF course I want you To
marry me. Have said word about
Il. though? Nary chirp. nary a flut-
ter. I've been quiet and good. though
it's almost made me sick at times. this
keeping quiet. | haven't asked you to
marry me. I'm not asking you now.
oh. not but what you satisfy me. |
sure know you're the wife fors me But
how about myself? Do you know me
well enough to know your own mind r
He shrugged his shoulders. II don't
know. and amt going to take
chances on 1t now. You've got to
know for sure whether you think you
could get along with me or not, and
I'm playing slow conservative game
amt a-going to lose for overlooking
my hand"
This was love-making Of a sort be
yond Dede's experience Nor had she
ever heard Of anything like It.
SO you see" he urged. just for a
square deal we've got to see some
more OF each other this winter. Most
likely your mind amt made up yet
But It Ii" she interrupted =
wouldn't dare permit myself to care for
you. Happiness. for me. would not lie
that way. like you. Mr.. Harnish
and all that. but It can never be more
than that"
Its because you don't like my way
Of living" he charged. thinking In his
own mind Of the sensational ioy-rides
and general profligacy with which the
newspapers had credited him think
ing this. and wondering whether OF
not. In maiden modesty. she would
disclaim knowledge Of It.
TO his surprise. her answer was Nat
and Incorporating.
No; don't.
Il know I've been brash on some OF
those rides that got into the papers.
Ae began bis defence. and that I've