The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1913-04-10
GU are feeling quite recovered by

0! q 81
The Claw, Mounting to Doris Waist
Held Her for an instant In ito Grasp.
now" she inquired at length. He
laughed with an uneasy note in bis
voice that caused her a slight perplex'
ity.
Yes, Miss Doris, that is. physical.
ly speaking. But mentally" He
halted and seemed to be seeking the
words he wished-"I am very much
disturbed" She glanced at him quick
iy.
May l ask about what?'
You may. It Is about yourself.
Doris. Those six days at your house
brought my mental disease to a eli.
max, that 10, II it be true that love
is disease. 40 some psychologists
would make u believe. restrained
myself from speaking to you about II
while l was at your house, although
you may be very sure it was ever up
permost in my mind. Yet the time
comes when love, like murder, must
out. In my case that time has come
and now you must listen to me for q
few moments before making me very
happy or very wretched." She averted
her face that no might not see the
warmth of her color, while he proceed
ed in voice that was low and pas.
sion filled.
1T is impossible that you with your
keen perception have not read my
feelings towards you, for no woman
could remain oblivious to such pa
tent state of mind as mine has been
towards you. Doris, have you not
known" her face still remained
averted, her voice unchanged.
II have realized that you have been
kind, courteous, considerate. No WON
an could desire a more gallant admir-
er. since you assert that you have
been such"
You suspicioned nothing more thar
admiration
II think l am by nature unsuspi
cious."
His dark face clouded with slight
displeasure. Believe me, am far too
serious to Jest. Doris, l have been IN
love with you with q love that has in
creased with each passing moment
since the day l first met you. have
tried to make you understand it ID
many ways, and l am convinced that
you have known 1t for months. And
always your uniform kindness, and
often your apparent pleasure at seeing
me have famed my hope until have
sometimes thought l would not b.
over-presumptuous in speaking to you
~ I am doing now. And your solicit
tude-I might almost say tenderness
in caring for me during those day.
when was disabled determined me t
out with It. Therefore l came thi,
afternoon to tell you that love YOU
better than all else, that would sac
rilce my life for you-and want 20,
to remember that phrase II the tim.
should ever come when shall be put
to the test-and that above all Other
things earthly wish to marry YOU
His eyes had frightened, his faca
grcwn pale with suppressed emotions
his rather sharply cut features seemed
to have softened and the girl, glanc
ing quickly sidewise at him, though
him handsome indeed. She answered
him quietly, half seriously, half lightly
ut would make almost any woman
proud and gratified to feel that so hon
orable a man so highly esteemed her
But I had not thought seriously o
marrying-as yet"
They walked q dozen steps in 81
fence. Time" said he at last, nee.
not be considered the essence Of thi,
contract, should there be contrac
between us. will be content to avai
any length Of time II may only
continue to hope. May l have thai
hope, Doris?"
Il will answer you tomorrow"
To-day, MOVIE begged. But sh>
only shook her head and he walkst
beside her with 1owncast eyes and
moody face until presently no spoke
again.
II an soing 70 ask you what 70,
may consider b b a inDesttosst
question. OF eessss yey may, ~