The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1913-01-28

But lie merely SnlIeQ bitterly. ANA
| suspect that by the time I'd got the
power in the fashion you describe I'd
have become the sort of man that
doesn't use his power for good"
What are yon going to do about itF
About the electionY' He shrugged
his shoulders in Indifference LET EN-
beat me. / suppose. | haven't thought
ahead as far as tomorrow"
NOW that it's all over | can admire
your refusing to make that speech. 1t
was splendid In a way. You see. |
can appreciate unselfishness in the alb
stract or when it can't be remedied"
81 told you that wasn't unseIfish 1t
was involuntary" he insisted But
can add to the eyidence-your kindly,
even if mistaken. interest in me and
my future, And you mustn't sheer at
yourself" he added gravely.
She turned to look fairly into his
eyes. do you still think it necessary
to let me down easily? she asked
quietly.
His body became rigid. nails biting
into palms in the effort not to take
her in his arms For. without reason
ing, he knew that to accept now what
she unasked had offered would he to
place himself in her power. And that
he dared not. For a long moment their
eyes chung, then at the same instant
they both looked hastily away.
The silent minutes heightened as the
cob drew them slowly up the face Of
East ridge. Behind them lay the val
ley. always beautiful. never so won
drous as in the pallor of night; but
they looked steadfastly ahead
To his credit be it written John did
not think carpingly of her boldness
let us use the word be used courage
His longing was not lessened because
she had abandoned the woman's weap-
on of indirection for the mans frank
ness Yet his hold on himself did not
relax-it became even the more secure
And he wondered at the strength now
revealed wit hin him, able to resist Ike
temptation OF her. He knew all that
she was, and he knew, too, that he de
sired. would always desire. her above
all good things that life holds. vet be
tween them stood an idea that was still
essential to him. And he believed that
he had strength to put her-the tempt&
tion-away from him.
He put aside his self measuring.
From what? What was he to do that
made impossible the taking of this girl
by his side. his to take?
He had said in answer 10 her ques-
lion, II don't know. Let them beat me
l suppose" He suddenly knew that
was not true. He must make his fight
A warm glow enveIoped him, his blood
quickened. He spoke aloud.
Il will fight them"
She turned to look at him again.
"You have thought as far ahead as to-
morrow" she said steadily.
Further than that"
When he had helped her to aIight at
her home both her hands were in his
He did not release them. nor did she
seek to disturb his clasp She met his
gaze unfaIteringly
Listen he said gently. II didn't
know that you cared. /, too, care-far
more than you viii believe"
II know you care" she answered
simply. And why you wont-take
me
II have known it ever since our
ride he went on THAT is why have
not seen you since. and a poor man has
not. the right 70 do more than ask a wo-
man used to luxury to share his life-he
must not try to persuade. And he has
not The right to ask any woman. unless
she can sympathfze with him. help
him in his work. If she couldn't it
would bring her unhappiness and de-
stroy his work YOu-T-we are not
in sympathy. And a mans work, his
place In life, must come first
If I could only be sure of myself
she cried You are SO many things
that l care for and you refuse TO take
so many things that care for
The things that you care for can
be had only at the expense of the
things that are-that hope are-indis-
pensable to me. ( don't mean TO be
priggish'
You aren't priggish.r she answered
quickly. Then she went on: 81 won
der, can one make oneself over?
wish now that l could. But then per-
haps that is only because it is-nOw,
Perhaps tomorrow. when l weigh you