The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1913-01-09

your refusing tO make that speech. II
was splendid In Il way You see.
can appreciate mnsplfishness In the alb.
stract or wien II can't he rene'lied."
! ~ told that wasn't unSplfish u
was involuntary" he insisted but
can add The evidence -yonr kindly.
even II mistaken. interest in me and
my future And you mustn't snter
Yourself" added gravply
She turned 10 look fairly into his
eyes. "Do You still think It necessary
to let me down pasily?" 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 t!int to accept now what
she unaskeh had offered would he to
place himself in her power And that
be dared not For long moment their
eyes chung. then ut 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
FEY, always beautiful. never NO won
drous as IN the palIor Of night: but
they looked steadfastly ahead.
To his credit he II written John did
not think carplngly Of her holiness
let us use the word he 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 IN himself did not
celax--it became even the more secure.
And he wondered ut the strength now
revealed within him. able t. pSist the
temptation OF her. He knew all thar
she was. and he knew, too. that he de-
sired. would always desire. her above
Ill good things that life holds. yet be-
..ueen them stood al ideal that was still
essential to him. And he believed that
he had strength to put her-the tempta-
hon-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 to her Hues-
don, II don't know. et them beat me
( suppose He suddenly knew that
was no, true He must make his fight
A warm glow cl,vooped him. his blood
3uickened He spoke aloud.
II will f=h' them"
She turned to look at him again
"You have thought as far ahead as to
morrow" she said steadi,y.
"Further than that
When he had helped her to aight at
her home both her hands were in his
he did not release them. nor did she
,eek to disturb his clasp. She met his
gaze unfalterin%y.
"Listen." he said gently. II didn't
know that sou cared. |. too, care-far
more than you will believe"
II know you care she answered
dmply. "And why you won't-take
me-"
~ have known 1t ever since our
e1de," he went on. THAT Is why have
not seen you since. and a poor man has
not the right 10 do more than ask a wo
man used to luxury to share his life he
must not try to persuade. And he has
aot the right to ask any woman. unless
she can sympathize with him. help
him in his work II she couldn't it
would bring her unhappiness and de
,troy his work. You-I-we are not
h sympathy. And a mans work. his
place in life. must come first"
"lf | could only he sure Of myself:
she cried. 'YOn are so many things
that I care for and you refuse to take
80 many things that care for"
'The things that you care for can
be had only ut the expense of the
things that are-that I hope are-indis-
pensable to me. don't mean to be
priggish."
'You aren't priggish." she answered
quickly. Then she went ON: ~ won
der, can one make oneself over? l
Wish now that could. But then per-
haps that is only because It is-now.
Perhaps tomorrow, when ! weigh You
against the Things have and want.
shall find you lacking"
He made no reply. He. too, was
wondering Could sht make herself
over? Could ne make her over: He
stood wardiy before her for a mo.
ment. then turned as though to leave.
"Are you going to relinquish me
Wholly?" Her voice was still steady
but In the moonlight her face was
very white. Don't! this summer
tonight-you have aroused in me long
lngs for something different. Perhaps
may yet Income big enough to- be
happy with what you can give me-
with you"
10 - ooatanusi.