The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1914-01-06
| (5ielTIME
| 80 LOCK
b CHARLES EDMONDS WALK
Author Of 1.-THE Silver Blade"
"The Paternoster Ruby" etc.
tcosyrishs 1917 By l. C. Aeciuss 4 Cal

the IeilOW was irresponsible"
Il could have brought you assist
ance. and l did not-deliberateIy. I
even kept the affair to myself, not
mentioning it to living soul: except
that took measures to protect myself
from future similar annoyance by that
dreadful creature" In a sudden pas
sionate outburst, she sat upright. my
God!-he might have murdered you!"
But he did not, you see Nor did
ne in1ure you. So why talk about it?
| can think OF a thousand pleasanter
topics-yourself, for example. Sup
pose you tell me who you are?"
The dark eyes were regarding him
tragically.
My name does not in the least mat
ter" she demurred. 81 am despicable
creature who had the effrontery to
hate you just because your name hap
pens to be Van vechten."
That young gentleman pricked up
his ears at this. He quickly inter-
posed:
THAT being the case, seem to be
more concerned than you are willing
to admit. Why should you hate the
name Van Vechten? I must confess
that l have added nothing to its lus-
ter, yet neither have l besmirched II.
| nor allowed the clans gonfalon to trail
| in the dust. You see that my feelings
| toward you are anything but harsh
and vindictive; SO why not tell me
about yourself?"
mo, no-I am too full of shame and
mnrf1finofinn 10 oh ~ !.
owed it my own mean, selfish.
| heartless pride to humble and abase
myself before you. / hated you. But
you are a courageous. noble, high
minded gentleman. If you knew-ev-
| erything-''
| Again she was unable to go on.
Why not tell me-everything?" he
gently urged
'You would hate and despise me
more than ever"
! He took one of her hands in his.
TT is impossible that l should hate
or despise you; there is the very best
| Of reasons why I could not My ap-
| pearance is all against any cause /
might plead, but-you are tremblingi"
| he abruptly broke off.
Il am utterly wretchedi" she
moaned.
For once in his life, at least, Van
Vechten was at loss. The girl was
so determined to humble herself. the
| idea was SO repugnant to his nice
sense of fitness, and his attempts to
| influence her were SO ineffective, that
| ne despaired of relieving the situation.
She seemed unconscious of the fact
| that he still held her hand, and sat
with head bowed, Individually very mis-
cradle and unhappy.
Listen to me-" he resumed after
pause. Il can show you that your
whole conception of the matter is NOR
id-false-inexcusab 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 it tightly.
Ouch! That hurts!" he exclaimed.
She Immediately desisted, while a
rich tide of color suffused her cheeks.
| mr. Van Vechten," she said nerv-
ouely, this is absurd. Still, If it is
yo4f method of revenge, it is not for
me to show resentment. You do not
even know my name
81 do" he quietly contradicted. "It
is jessie"
She uttered surprised little cry.
why
/ Wait, please he checked her. Il
want to add that if you believe the
pure, high attributes you ascribe to
me, you must know that l could not
take such a method of reyenge-as-
Stunning that / am seeking revenge, Or
even that any grounds exist to justify
revenge, which l deny. It remains,
| therefore, that must be sincere.
You surely know, Jessie, that love
laughs at conventionalities as well as
at obdurate parents and locksniths.
| 1t is incredible that such d thing could
happen-I'll even admit that. But the
/ fact remains that it has happened. I
love you: and if 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
disengaging her hand, Il shall promise
this: One week from today-if your
feelings have not changed in the mean
time-if you can make the request
with as much sincerity as you do now
IL will marry Won cuy time Won saw