Rocky Ford enterprise., 1914-10-16
! with mead bowed. induoitably very mis-.

with mead bowed. indubitably very mis-
cradle and unhappy.
Listen to me-" he resumed after q
pause. 81 can show you that your
whole conception Of the matter 10 NOR
bid-false-inexcusable. This is not
the time and place to make this con.
fession-not the occasion should
have chosen-but-are you listening
there has not been one minute since
last Sunday afternoon that you have
been out of my thoughts"
She looked at him in wonder.
Sunday" she echoed. What do
you mean"
THAT / love you"
She tried to withdraw her hand. but
his closed upon 1t tightly.
Ouch! That hurts!" he exclaimed.
She Immediately desisted. while a
rich tide of color suffused her cheeks.
"Mr. Van vechten." she said nerv-
ously. this is absurd. Still, II 1t is
your method of revenge, 1t Is not for
me to show resentment. You do not
even know my name"
FL do" he quietly contradicted. ut
is JESSIE"
She uttered surprised little cry.
why"
wait. please" he checked her. 81
want to add that If you believe the
pure. high attributes you ascribe to
me. you must know that 1 could not
take such method of revenge-as-
even that any grounds exist to justify
revenge. which ! deny. 1t remains.
therefore. that must be sincere.
you surely know. Jessie. that love
laughs at conventionalities as well as
at obdurate parents and locksmiths.
1t is incredible that such thing could
happen-I1l even admit that But the
fact remains that 1t has happened. |
love you; and II you continue In the
belief that you owe me some amends,
why. we can square matters by you
promising to marry me. ] shall accept
your culpability upon that basis and
no other"
For long time she sat looking Into
his eyes. Then
DO you mean that?" she asked very
soberly.
Il was never more earnest in my
life," he assured her.
Then" she said. rising and gently
her hand. 81 shall promise
this: One week from today-if your
have not changed In the mean
time-if you can make the request
with as much sincerity as you do now
Il will marry you any time you say.
She moved toward the reception.
hall. and his feelings were too over
powering for speech. 1t all seemed like
a joyous dream coming true-or. per-
haps, he was still dreaming. II so,
the dream was about to end. and he
found utterance.
Jessie he said. ~as
She paused.
Come back here a moment. please.
g.. There Give me your
hand asain-both of them. Now look
at me-" She complied with each re-
quest as quickly as 1t was made, Tell
me-" he went on. "is that promise q
part of your poor. misguided. self-im-
posed penance?"
Don't ask inc what urges It." she
replied in a shaking voice.
Il shan't accept 1t in any such
warped and distorted spirit of selt-sac-
rifice." he pursued. still speaking very
gently, but none the less earnestly. "It
is too much to expect that you can en-
tertain a sentiment toward me that
anywhere near approaches mine-not
now. But can teach you-girl, can
teach you! l give you as genuine a
love as any man can offer a woman.
Can't you acknowledge some kindly
feeling for me in return?"
Let me CO." she begged in an agi-
tated whisper. God knows. antiet-
pated nothing like this,"
"ls the idea so repughant to your"
you are killing me with kindnessi"
The quivering rise and fall of her
bosom betrayed how profoundly she
was disturbed. and the light in her
handsome dark eyes signified n melt
Ing mood. Even the bruises on Van
vechten's face could not disguise the
fondness with which he regarded her.
AT least you do not deny it.
God!" he broke of in an accession OF
irritation. at is intolerable TO be at
SssAW~low S@s-1%