The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-12-04
CHAPTER VI.
Lovers.

@1HE end had come; he was hold ing out his hand; he was say
 ing goedby; all over and for @ ever. No, not quite forever. Learning that he had sent away his buggy, Miss Marshall offered to walk with him as far as the tennis courts. She volunteered this in spite of rather sharp look from her father, and a request that had the quality of com mand, not to stay out too long.
 Side by side, Matt and she walked together, both silent till the house was left behind.
 .'Whats the matter?'' Miss Marshall asked at last. You've been so differ ent today-so changed. I couldn't make it out, and, and''-
 And what?" inquired Matt.
 'It hurt me a littIe I thought you might be glad-glad to come. you know
 q was. glad to come.''
 Poor fellow-I suppose you have to say that
 CT knew was dull and dfsappoint- ing, and the more tried the du11er I got. and-that's it, if you want to know
 She moved closer to m, and an- \ voice, that he was a very holish per son. He hadn't been bit dull. nor disappointing idea! But did not seem himself, that was all, and mopy. DreadfulIy mopy. ' Its because I'm going away tomor row." he. said. Because'-ands he faltered at anything so outright-"be- cause I'll never see you again
 There was a pause.
 "You mustn't,'' she Jnurmured at last. T don't want you to go away"
 But I have to-
 "Oh, you have to?" she repeated questionfngly.
 ''To do things--to start in seriously He could not say mules. Mules stuck in his throat.
 But how does that mean never see ing me again? That's what you said, wasn't it?"
 'Tt's hard to explain; you wouldn't understand
 ''No, I don't suppose I wouId,' she assented. q was foolish enough to think that you-that you,'-
 "That loved you?''
 "Oh, no, no, not that; that would be absurd''-
 4But do''
 He walked along, grimly. -stiff1y, in & fury with everything. That's why was on such pins and needles up there,'' he broke out passionately. "I had no right there, and I knew it. Every look at you drove it home-the utter hopelessness of it have to go away with the few thousands have and try to do mething-work-e money. But if | succeeded beyond all  accessible as ever-as unattainable I am nothing. nobody, the dirt under your feet. You wonder why I was so dull, so stupid-I was grinding to pieces, if you want to know: yes, grind ing to pieces and almost hating you!''
 If I felt like that about anybody I'd stay,' she exclaimed breath1essly. q wouldn't give anybody else a chance. I think if I really loved anybody I would kill them frst''
 Matt turned and caught her squarely by the shoulders, those slender girlfsh shoulders, and held her out at arms length in wise. You would, would you?" he cried. Don't tempt me. or will! I give you Syour choice. I told you I would go. It's for you to choose the one way or the other. Choose choose!'
 But his revuIsfon was as swift as his act. He let her go. stricken at her pal Tor, her gasp of pain-appalled and in coherently remorseful. He smoothed her dress with his big hands: he was a brute, a crazy brute, he quavered conclusively; he saw her Through a blur, trembling. swaying. obstinately averting her eyes and giving them lit tie dabs with her handkerchief. As she recovered. he waited for his sen tence. his doom. He had transgressed the last law and might he thankful if she even spoke to him again, Perhaps Bhe would turn away without a word and that would be the end.
 When she. did speak it was not to an initiate him at all. It was all her own fault, she said. tremulougly smiling. That's what always happened when you goadad elemental people-great. big, rough, elemental people. They grabbed you in their great, big, rough. elemental way and shook the curl out of your hair, wanting you to choose. As though anybody could choose while being shaken like a rat! And what was she 10 choose, anyhow? Would he please tell her like an ordinary, grownup, uneiemental person."
 CTo be Continued.l