The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1913-10-29
CHAPT Err vi.
Lovers.

ing gOOuDy. all over anu lot
~ ever. No. not quite forever.
Learning that be 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
a sharp look from her father. and a
request that had the quality of a 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 matterT' Miss Marshall
asked at last you've been so differ
ent today-so changed couldn't make
it out. and. and
And WHAT" inquired Matt
1T hurt me little. thought you
might be glad-glad to come. you
know
Il was glad to cone"
Poor fellow suppose you have to
say that"
Il knew | was dull and disappoint-
ing. and the more | tried the duller
got. and-that's it. if you want to
know"
She moved closer to him. and an
nounced. with shade of relief in her
voice. that he was very foolish per-
son. He hadn't been a bit dull. nor
| disappointing-the idea! But did not
seem himself. that was all. and mopy.
Dreadfuliy mopy.
It's because I'm going away tomor-
| row." he said "Because"-and he
faltered at anything so oCtright-"be-
| cause I'll never see you again"
There was a pause.
You mustn't she murmured at
last Il don't want you to go away"
But | have to-"
"Oh. you have to-" she repeated
| questioningly,
ITO 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,
Its hard to explain: you wouldn't
understand
NO. don't suppose would" she
assented- Il was foolish enough to
think that you-that you
THAT loved you?"
"Oh, no, no, not that; that would be
! absurd
But l do"
He walked along. grmly. stiff1y. in a
fury with everything That's why
was on such pins and needles up
| there" be broke out passionately. Il
had no right there and | knew it
Every look at you drove it home-the
utter hopelessness of it | have to &C
away with the few thousands | have
and try to do work-earr
money. But if succeeded beyond al
my expectations you would be as in
i accessible as ever-aS unattainable
am nothing. nobody. the dirt under
your feet. You wonder why | was ST
dull. so stupid-I was grinding t.
pieces. if you want to know: yes. grind
ing to pieces and almost hating YOU
IF I felt like that about anybody IL
stay" she exclaimed breathIeSSly 80
wouldn't give anybody else a chance
I think if really loved anybody
would kill them first"
Matt turned and caught her squared,
by the shoulders. those slender. girliSi
shoulders. and held her ont ut arm
length in Il wise You would. woulc
you:" he cried. Don't tempt me. or
will. | give yOn your choice | tOlC
you | would go It's for YOU to choose
the one way or the other Choose
| choose"
| But his revulSion was as swift as hi
act. He let her go. stricken at her pal
lor. her gasp of pain-appalled and in
coherently remorseful. He smoothe
her dress with his big hands: he wa
brute. n crazy brute. he quavere
concluSively: he saw her through
blur. trembling swaying. obstinatel
: averting her eyes and giving them Ii,
: tie dabS with her handkerchief 4
she recovered he waited for his ser
tence. his doom. He had transgresse
the last law and might be thankful
she even spoke to him again. Perhap
she would turn away without wore
and that would be the end
8 When she did speak it was not to al
initiate him at all 1t was all her ow
fault she said. TREMENDOUSLY smiling
That's what always happened whe
you goaded elemental peOpie-gi-
big, rough. elemental people. The
grabbed you in their gr@a:. Zig. rough
elemental way and shook the cur al
of your hair. wanting you to choO>
| As though anybody could choose viii
being shaken like Il rat. And whs
was she TO choose. anyhow? Woul
be please tell her like an ordinar.
; grownup. unelemental person."
Matt was more abaShed than if tn
= | heavens had opened with tbunderbolt