The Mena weekly star. (Mena, Ark.) 1904-1977, 1912-02-29

DAvEp
as ever. the teiituie angry red was in
her cheeks.
"Of course ii you don't want to
marry me-
''But 1 do" he hastily tnterposed.
"Oh. you do
''But don't you see. little girl. | want
you to love me, be hurried on; 10Th
erwise it would be only half mar
riage. / don't want you to marry me
simply because by so doing a stop is
put to the beach gossip. nor do want
you to marry me out OF some foolish
romantic notion. shouldn't want
you-that way"
"Oh. in that case" she said, with
assumed deliberateness, and be could
have sworn to the roguish gleam-''in
that case, since you are willing TO
consider my offer. let me make a few
remarks. In the first place you need
not sneer az adventure when you are
living it yourself. and you were Ger
tainly living 1t when | found you first.
down with fever on a lonely planta
ton with a couple OF hundred wild
cannibals thirsting for your life
Then | came along
And what with your arriving in
gale" he broke In, fresh from the
wreck of your schooner. landing on
the beach in a whaieboat full OF pic.
turesque Tahitian sailors and march
ing into the bungalow with Baden.
Powell on your head. sea boots on your
feet and whacking big Colts dan
Cling on your hip-why. | am only too
ready to admit that you were the
quintessence OF adventure"
Very good" she cried exultantly.
tits mere simple arithmetic-the add
ing of your adventure and my ad-
venture together SO thats settled.
and you needn't jeer at adventure any
more. Next don't think there was
anything romantic in 1udOrs attempt
ing TO kiss me nor anything like ad-
venture in this absurd duel But |
do think now that it was romantic
for you TO fan in love with me. And
finally. and It is adding romance to ro-
nance, 1 think think | do love you.
Dave-oh. Davep'
The last was signing dove cry as
be caught her up in his arms and
pressed her TO him.
But 1 don't love you because You
played the fool today" she whisper
ed on mis- shoulder. White men
shouldn't go around killing each 9th.
err"
"Then why do you love me?" be
questioned, enthralled after the man.
ner OF ali lovers in the everlasting
query that forever has remained IN
answered.
II don't know-just because [ do,
guess. And that's all the satisfaction
you gave me when we had that man
talk. But ] have been loving you for
weeks-during all the time you have
been so deliciously and unobuusively
jealous of Tudor"
Eyes, yes, go on" he urged breath
lessly when she paused.
81 wondered when you'd break out.
and because you didn't loved you all
the more You were like dad aud
Won You could hold yourself in
check. You didn't make a fool of
yourself"
Not until today" he suggested.
Eyes, and loved you for that too
1t was about time | began to think
you were never going TO bring up the
subject again. And now that have
offered myself you haven't even ac-
copied"
With both hands on her shoulders be
looked long into her eyes. no ionget
cool. but seemingly pervaded with a
golden flush. The lids dropped and
yet bravely did not droop as she re-
turHed his gaze. Their ne fondly and
solemnly drew her 10 him.
And how about that hearth and
saddle of your ownf' he asked a mo-
ment later.
II well nigh won TO them. The
grass house Is my hearth and the
Martha my saddle. and-and look at
all the trees I've planted. 10 say moth
ing OF the sweet corn. And it's all
your fault anyway. might never
have loved you IL you hadn't put the
idea into my head"
There's the Nongasela coming In
around the point with her boats out.
sheldon remarked irrelevantiy "And
the commissioner is on board. He's
going down 70 San Cristobai TO inyes
tigate that missionary killing. We're
IN luck. | must say"
= don't see where the luck comes
in she said dolefuly I'VE ought &c
have shis evening ali 10 ourselves Just
70 tax things over I've a thousand
questions 10 ask YOU
And Il wonldn have been 3 man
tank either. she added.
but my plan Is better than That"
IL debated with himself moment
= on see. tue commissioner - the one
official 10 the islands VINO can give IA
8 license And there's the i0ek OF IL
i1r Neisnmcre - nere 10 perform tne
ceremony. Wen set married tEss
evening
joan reeolle0 from aim IN panic.
fcan8e berseis from nis arms aDu 80
INA backward seFefat sieps- ae cocia