Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1913-03-07

What do you frighten a man like
that for?" he cried. What was go
Ing to say ="
fortune"
What I was going to say, Fortune.
was this: Here is the cable from Nor
timer. I'm not going to open 1t till
after dinner tonight. Well go up to
the Bertolini to dine. You'll stay
there for the night. while l put up at
the Bristol. which 10 only a little ways
UP the Corso. I'm not going to ask
you a question till coffee. Then we'll
thrash out the subject till there isn't
a grain left"
She made no protest Secretly she
was pleased to be bullied like this. 1t
proved that among all these swarming
peoples there was one interested In
her welfare. But she knew In her
heart what she was going to say when
the proper time came. She did not
wish to spoil his dinner. She was also
going to put her courage to Its su-
preme test; borrow a hundred pounds,
and bravely promise to pay him back.
II she failed to pay It, 1t would be be-
cause she was dead. For she could
not survive a comparison between
herself and her mother. Here In
Naples she might find something, an
opportunity. She spoke French and
Italian ~fluently; and In this crowded
season of the year It would not be diff
ficult to find a situation as a maid or
companion. So long as she could earn
a little honestly, she was not afraid.
She was desperately resolved.
Such a dinner! Long would she re-
member It; and longer still, how little
either Of them ate Of it! She knew
enough about these things to appreci-
ate 1t. 1t must have cost a pretty
penny. She smiled, she laughed. she
jested; and always a battle to dam the
uprising tears.
The dining-room was filed; women
in beautiful evening gowns and men
In sober black. But the two young
people were oblivious. Their fellow
diners, however, bent nor than one
glance in their direction. Ill-dtting
clothes. to be sure, but 1t was OBJ
served that they ate to the manner
born. The girl was beautiful in a
melancholy way, and the young man
was well-bred and pleasant Of feature,
though oddly burned.
Coffee. George produced the cable.
It was still sealed.
You read 1t first" he said, passing
1t across the table.
Her hands shook as she ripped the
sealed flap and opened the message,
She read. Her eyes gathered danger
ously.
BE CAREFUL" he warned. you've
been brave so long; be brave a little
longer"
II did not know that there lived
such good and kindly men Oh. thanh
him. thank him a thousand times fol
me. Read It," And she no longer
cared II any saw her tears.
Bring her home. and God bless you
both. MORTIMER"
II knew i'll" he cried exultantly
He and my father we're the finest two
men in the world. The sky is all cleal
now"
"Is it?" sadly "Oh, l do not wish tt
pain you, but 1t Is charity; and l an
too proud"
"You refuse?" He could not believ'
1t.
Eyes. But when things grow dark
and the day turns bitter, l shall Away
remember those words. l can g n,
other way. l must fight 1t out alone"
Love makes a man dumb or elc
quent; and as George saw all hi
treasured dreams fading swiftly, elc
quence became his buckler in this bal
tie Of love unspoken and pride in arms
Each time he paused for breath, sh'
shook her head slowly.
The diners were leaving In twos an
tours, and presently they were a
alone. Servants were clearing up tn
tables; there was a clatter OF dishe
and a tread Of hurrying feet. The
noted 1t not.
well, one more plea!" And h
swept aside his self-imposed restrit
tons. "Will you come for my sake
Because l am lonely and want you
VIII you come for my sake"
This time her head did not move.
rs 1t plty?" she whispered.
"Pity!" His hands gripped tn
linen and the ~cotfee-cups ratified. "No
It Is not pity. Because you we're lon,
ly, because you had no one to turn t,
l could not In honor tell you. But no.
do. Fortune. will you come for m
sake, because love you and want 20
always and always?"
Il shall come"