The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1914-09-05

mo, SAID MARX leStlly, euppooe
you wouldn't. | don't know. But II
do it. it will be with my eyes open
Which seems a most unlover-like say
ing
There was an evening when he was
alone with Unity on Squire Martins
front porch. 1t was one OF the SOFT
dangerous nights that sometimes
come to Bethel in early September.
They talked little and that In low
tones.
Once he leaned toward her He had
to peer closely to make out her look
of content.
DO you know" he remarked. you
ought to be glad | came back?'
Indeed, And WHY
Have you looked in the mirror
lately? When | first came you looked
well, cranky and as though you
didn't care whether school kept or
not"
We'll, of all the conceit! l sup
pose you take all the credit" Thus
she admitted certain improvements.
And why not?" he laughed lazily.
When you come right down to it.
Unity, you never really, definitely
threw me over"
1t isn't too late"
Yes, it is too late"
She said nothing. But when he
reached up TO take her hand he found
it tightly clenched little ball
Unity. do you remember the drive
we took that Sunday before | went to
the city,"
Il think ! do"
she thinks she does!" he apostro-
phized the night. Il have a scheme.
Tomorrow, right after dinner, I'm 60
ing to drive down here for you. Unity,
let's have the Sunday over again
in every particular"
Again she was silent.
You don't agree?"
lin not sure"
That you love me?"
She shook her head That l want
to marry you"
But when he drew her down and
kissed her, she did not resist. Wait"
he whispered fatuously, until tomor-
row. Then you will be convinced"
Although what virtue the morrow
would hold he did not say. He prob
ably did not guess.
Unity did not scruple to change the
current of another's life; she saw no
occasion for scruples. She thought she
| loved Mark. But she did not believe
his expressed resolve to stay in Bethel
was, could be, genuine; or, If genuine,
that its execution would be good for
him. And, principally-she knew ex-
actly what she wanted.
Next day they drove over much the
same road they had taken seven years
before. They chatted in lighter vein,
with intervals of eloquent silence. On
a tilltop whence they could see only
other hills and the sinking sun they
ate the lunch put up by the thoughtful
Susan. Then they waited to watch the
sunset.
Unity, what must do to convince
you?"
Nothing" she murmured.
He considered his happiness
And after a while she said: Tell
me about your life in the city. You've
never said much about it."
Innocent demand! Not in vain Is
the trap set in the sight of a young
man in love. He began to describe the
mills to her. And as he went on. into
his words crept the unconscious elo-
quence of a real enthusiasm. His face
became eager Before he had ended.
he was on his feet declaiming to her.
who was a very attentive audience. He
saw what he described.
All" she breathed, as he reached
a period What a life! And you
could leave it?"
You forget" he reminded her, Il
was put out of it."
She leaned forward suddenly, rest
ing her hand on the one that held the
cane Mark. why don't you go back
to it?"
He jerked his hand free, as If he had
felt twinge Of pain. Don't suggest
that, Unity" he cried. There's that
other side. It's hard and cruel and
narrowing. 1t eats up all the best
of you. Sometimes 1t kills you. 1t
makes you a machine, not your own
man. l used to feel it when l was
there. sometimes terribly. Here see
1t from a distance and l understand
better. It's just one hellish scramble
that life" He stopped abruptly. with
an impatient gesture.
IF go back, Unity. you won't"
But how could he phrase his fear OF
interpret the hot surging that drowned
It?
She sighed happily.
He was soon to learn.
ea&S~~a &R1