The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1914-12-11
Author Of
THE MAN HIGHER UP" his RISE
TO POWER" Etc.

~. IioW COulu Lney
"A mysterious woman has been men.
toned. I've been afraid that every
one I've had to do with might be
smirched with me. / I didn't want you
OF all women-to be touched"
DO you care 80 much about 1t all?"
Il wouldn't admit it to any one else.
But l do care. Kazia."
She was silent, but the dark eyes
were very gentle.
He leaned forward and drew her to
him. He kissed her again and again.
Fol a long minute he held her SO, in
silence. Insidious moment, throw
Ing open the gate that he might peer
Into a golden realm such as wen this
Joseph had never dreamed!
You haven't said it." he broke the
silence.
That l love you? Do l need"
No" He kissed her again. only
l cant quite believe it yet. It's worth
going through all the trials and dis
appointments and ugliness-to have
this hour"
Much l%ater--it did not seem long
he asked: "Kazia, when will you marry
me?"
She did not answer for a long while.
Then she gently pushed him away and
spoke. slowly, as though all her
strength were needed to force out
each word.
II car not marry you"
You can not" He stared at her,
stunned.
She shook her head, mute.
But why? You are free"
Il am ~free-under the law. But l
can not"
You love me, and yet"
Il can not"
But why?" he persisted. You must
have some reason" Then he aroused
himself. Though you may Just as
we'll forget 1t. Do you think" he cried.
I've found a real enduring love only
to let 1t go?"
Il have a reason. l." She broke
of. looking away. Her hands clasped
tightly In her lap, %unclasped, then
went out in a little appealing gesture
as her eyes came back to him. 1T
isn't that l don't want to. IL love
you. Butch, can't you understand?
How could the love endure the little
trials and frictions, the nearness, the
commonplaceness of everyday life to-
gether?"
All! l wish you hadn't said that"
He was staggered for the moment; to
him her reason was not an empty one.
But he went ON firmly: That wouldn't
be true with us. It's never true where
there is q real love to smooth the
way. And you and I've mustn't Judge
by our past. because we've never
found the real love-until now"
Yes, 1t Is real. think 1t Is real"
From her wistful voice he thought
he had shaken her. He pressed her
hard. "Of course, 1t Is. Then. don't
you SEQ"
mo. II 1t is real. then l can't
daren't-risk losing it. l haven't had
much, ever, except this love--I mustn't
lose 1t. And you don't know-Im not
fine and clever and cultured, like-like
the women you've known. You'd see
the lacks She was becoming in
coherent. "Oh. don't try to persuade
me. You only make 1t hard. I've been
thinking of this-and of when you'd
come-so long! And l know"
But he did try to persuade her. And
longing lent him eloQuence, as he pic
tured for her their love, triumphant
ove the starving years Of separation,
triumphing again over the vexatious
problem Of daily intimacy.
Slowly it came to him that she
meant her refusal. He released her
and drew back. SO suddenly that she
swayed and almost fell.
Then 1t only mean hat you don't
love me. II you did. you wouldn't
count the risk"
IF you must believe that" she an
swered sadly. you must. But 1t isn't
true. II could forget the risk.
shouldn't owe you as l do"
He laughed harshly, and reaching
for his hat. turned toward the door
The dreamed love had gone the wa,
Of his beautiful philosophy.
But at the door he looked back. She
was standing a. he had left her, pale
in her eyes both fear and the glow Of
the flame he had lighted. The hand
held out to him in involuntary ges
ture, was trembling visibly.
"Why-do you go?"
But you said"
Il didn't say-I wouldn't love you.
He laughed again. What is love-
by itself?"
I'VE could" pitifully she put forth
the suggestion, I'VE could be friends.
Friends! I'm NJ bloodless poet.
want a whole love-"
Her h%ungering look was calling him
drawing him across the room to her
It babe him take her. He took her
wonderingly, dazed by the seeming
surrender. In his clasp she seemed t
ind a new courage.
Then-then-I will give you !,
whole love-if you will take me as