United labor bulletin., 1914-04-11

with head bowed. indubitably very mis-
cradle and unhappy.
Listen to me-" he resumed after a
pause Il can show you that your
whole conception OF the matter y NOR
d-false-inexcusable This is not
the time and place to make this con-
feesion-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
rich tide of color suffused her cheeks
Mr.. Van vechten.'' she said nerv-
ously. this is absurd. Still. IL II is
your method OF revenge. 1t is not for
me to show resentment You do not
even know my name"
Il do" he quietly contradicted- 1T
is Jessie"
She uttered surprised little cry
why"
Wait. please" he checked her. Il
want TO add that IL you believe the
pure. high attributes you ascribe TO
me. you must know that ! could not
take such a method OF reyenge-as-
Stunning that am seeking revenge. or
even that any grounds exist to justify
revenge, which deny. II remains,
therefore. that must be sincere.
You surely know. Jessie. that love
laughs at conventionalities as well as
at obdurate parents and locksmiths-
II is incredible that such thing could
happen-Ill even admit that. But the
fact remains that 1t has happened. l
love you: and IL 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 a long time she sat looking into
his eyes. Then
DO you mean that7" 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
ume-if you can make the request
with as much sincerity as you do now
II viii marry you any time you say.
Good-by.-
She moved toward the reception
hall. and his feelings were too over
powering for speech. 1t all seemed like
joyous dream coming true-or. per
haps. he was stIll dreaming. II so.
the dream was about 10 end. and he
found utterance.
Jessie he said.
She paused.
Come back here a moment. please.
There Give me your
hand again-both OF them Now look
At me" She complied with each re-
quest ms quickly as 1t was made Tell
me- he went on. lis that promise a
part of your poor. misguided. self-im-
posed penance7"
Don't ask me what urges It." she
replied in a shaking voice
Il shan't accept it in any such
warped and distorted spirit OF self-sac-
rluCt. ne pureIeu. Sill speaking very
gently. but none the less earnestly. 1T
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. ] give you as genuine
love as any man can offer woman
Can't you acknowledge some kindly
feeling for me In return7"
Let me 60" she begged in an agi-
tated whisper. God knows. | antici-
pated nothing like this."
lis the idea SO repugnant TO you?"
You are killing me with kindness,"
The quivering rise and fall of her
bosom betrayed how profoundly she
was disturbed. and the light in her
handsome dark eyes signified 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 II.
Godl" he broke of in an accession of
irritation. ut is intolerable to be at
&c S1