The record., 1914-06-25

; when WOMAN DlSPOSES
BY GRANT OWEN.

Peter Knox folded up the papers
and the memoranda and returned them
I TO the long leather lettercase. lie
cleared his throat lie seemed to find
what he was trying to say particu-
larly difficult
Il have made II plain. have l." he
asked of the girl beside him. who was
staring thoughtfully at the fire.
"oh. yes. Peter" said she. Il haven't
anything. That's it. isn't it,"
! He nodded. rather wretchedly.
mo one had any idea things were
/ so badly involved" ssiid he. Il knew
l your father was rather troubled for
some time before his death, but I
hadn't the least idea that things were
as bad as they are. If you could only
keep the house here"
She smiled up at him bravely.
Good old Peter" said she. patting
his hand. Don't worry. have my
two hands and beautiful inclination
4 to face the world and
"Oh. you mustn't think Of that" he
/ demurred
| 'Of what?" she asked.
"Of facing the world alone"
| He was big young man, heavy Of
frame. slow of speech. and one judged
| from his rather heavy features-and
| judged rightly-somewhat slow Of
mind. you know at n glance Peter
Knox was one of those rare souls
whom ii is eminently safe to trust i'm
plicitly.
why. Peter" Rose Clavering de-
INJURED, what's the sense of talking
that way after what you've just told
me? I'll have to face the world alone
Anyway. I'm not n bit afraid"
You won't" said Peter. Look,
Rose. I've got heaps and heaps of
money. Marry me-"
'Oh. Peter. please-not that" said
she.
She fancied Peter looked very much
relieved. Peter was thinking he didn't
blame her.
You couldn't think of 1t. them"
said he little wistfully.
why. of course not, Peter" said
she. You're awfully good and dear"
We'll. don't tell me you'll be SIS
ter to me, anyway" said he with a
forced grin. striving to make the best
Of a bad matter. Then maybe some
time In the future I'll have a show"
So they talked n little more about
the matter of Roses fathers depleted
| 70 than l.; a
parture.
Two full years drifted past before
she realized 1t, and Rose was begin
ming to look thoughtfully in the mir
ror now and then and wonder what
those deepening lines about her mouth
foreboded.
Then came the word that Peter had
lost all his money. His big. foolish,
soft heart had, of course, been re-
sponsible. No one seemed to know
where Peter was. He had disap-
peared.
little park-like enclosure in the Gen.
ter of square. she caught sight of
Peter on one Of the benches-a shab-
by, rather tattered looking Peter.
With little cry she sped to that par
ticular bench.
Peter looked very much embar-
rassed.
"Oh, Peter!" cried Rose. I'm so
glad to see you! Where on earth have
you been?"
Hiding from creditors mostly" said
Peter with a sickly grin, ''and trying
to get job between times. Rose. how
lovely you look!"
you poor. soft-hearted boy" said
she. sitting down beside him.
Peter looked at her. still worship.
fully.
You prosper, don't you?" said he.
That's what comes of having brains.
I've heard all about you and what
you're doing. I've followed your work
and your success very joyfully. Aren't
you the bowling rage just now,
thought"
''Oh, I've done pretty WE'LL" she said
modestly. I've got quite a bit put
by for a rainy day. Peter" she broke
out impetuously, you must let me
help you. Let me stake you-isn't
that what they call it?-until you get
on your feet again."
Il am pretty much Of a mess. that's
a fact" said he. But I'm not that
far gone yet, Rose. Why. l couldn't
possibly"
There are no strings to It," she
laughed. Il won't ask you to marry
me-"
Good heavens! l didn't think you
would" said he. And speaking OF
that, aren't you the lucky little girl
that you didn't let my wealth blind
your better judgment, when l did ask
you to marry me?"
No." she said very firmly. 81
wasn't a bit lucky. I've been lone
some. Peter; horribly lonesome-for
YOU"
Then why-that time I asked
you"
"Oh, Peter. Peter. thought you did
1t just out Of pity. because Id got to
face the world alone. / didn't realize
oh, anything-till you looked at me
today the way you did. I've missed
you SO dreadfully! ! dare you to ask
me again to marry you!"
Peter looked dazed.
I'm busted-flat," he demurred.
I'm not" said she. go. ahead
Ask me. i dare you!"
She smiled at him. Peters heart
did three distinct fiip-fiops.
you've got to marry me, Rose!'
he said hOarsely