The Washington herald., 1913-10-25
DAILY SHORT STORY

have more sense! When I'm going TO
be married I'll announce my engage
ment properly. I'm not going to marry
Mr.. Norman, despite the worlds match
making. In the first place. he hasn't
asked me. No man with any self-respect
would ask me after the way my mother
and sister have thrown me at his head"
she olinked back the tears. and Hal
reached for her hand, which she
snatched back The big man, blue-eyed.
dark-haired. and with a serious face,
stood shamelessly listening. Margaret
went on: In the second place, I don't
like man who must know what's 60
ing on-and still keeps up their hopes by
hanging around me enough to embarrass
me. It's mean and base for me to say
this-but he won't take hint. hardly
speak to him. And then mother scolds
me. She says have no spirit. I've too
much to be made merchandise of.
won't be pretty for him.
You can't help being pretty for the
world said Hal. Look here-you
marry me. Maggie. You've always
known me. Come on! We can have it
over in an hour. Couldn't you-Iove me?
Couldn't you"
Maggie put her arms up against a tree
and put her curly dark head against
them and began to cry, but in a moment
she turned on Hal. who was comforting
her yainly-she turned like a little fury
You go away this moment! Don't
wait to talk-just goi" She hid her face
again. Hal. surprised and hurt, marched
straight of ahead of him, still unaware
of the big man in the gray suit who stood
very near.
Margaret cried a moment, and then be-
gan to wipe her eyes.
s4u-.,
wants to marry or not to marry" she
said aloud. why can't they" A rus
tie made her turn silent in terror.
Mr.. Norman!" She was very white
and limp and leaned against the tree. He
took OF his hat. bis fine, strong face
serious.
'T-listened.'' he said. 1T was-beastly
of me-but I needed TO know the truth.
II was very plain truth-Margaret." She
stood with eyes downcast playing with
her crimson cap, her fingers trembling.
tears falling on her cheeks. She choked.
"I think men are not as vain as you
think them I did not know-your fam
lily was Annoying you-about me! II was
perfectly unconscious. It Is. due myself
to say that I have also been perfectly
honest. / have STAYED about you be-
cause-I. have learned to love you'll
wanted to win you. I wanted you-to
marry me. But not unless 1 could-un-
less you could truly-love me. ] suppose
that now this is my dismissal3 Don't
you think that il We had been left tc
ourselves without others meddling that
you might have liked me better?'
Still she was very pale, but she looked
up and met his glance bravely. Ibid
like you-at first-but-"
1T is not my fault that meddlers-"
mo, 1t isn't your fault, of course. I'm
sorry. spoke so to Hal. / was very
angry. But I'm glad you heard me. i
Something tremulous and sweet dawning
In her face walked hope in him. He
came and very gently took one Of her
hands.
Margaret, you don't want that boy,
Hail.
For a wretched moment she did not
speak. Then she shook her head
vehemently.
"of course not" John Norman took
her other hand.
Margaret, can't you learn to care for
me?'' The shrinking left her, and she
met his glance quietly. Can you, Mar
garet? Are things TO be spoiled for us
by these people who don't understand"
She let him draw her toward him. 1T
wouldn't be fair. Margaret. Would it?'
With a quick little movement she hid her
face against his sleeve and stood limp
and passive in his arms.
Dearest: dearest His voice was low
and poignant with joy and triumph. you
do love met She nodded her head
against his arm.
TT hurts to care 80 much she mur-
INJURED.