Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-07-12
Continued from page 6

10 you PARDON me LOT last n1SnC, ana 90
you give me that promise?"
Daura hesitated for an instant. Heart
and brain were in a turmoil. Then she flung
at him, NO. to both questions!"
TT was certain that she had astonished him.
He had humbled himself to her youth
and womanhood, and expected them to
grant what he asked. He looked dumb
founded. @You refuse?"
II refuse!"
@If l had asked you last night, you
wouldn't have refused. You think it's too
late now. But 1 must tell you 1 went back
to Conway's room when I thought your
sister would be gone-not to spy on him:
only to see you if you we're there, and beg
your pardon"
"Ycu told me not to wait
Il know. Still, thought you might have
stayed on-for some reason. So went, and
found only the doctor. l made out to him
that I'd come to ask how Conway was get
ting along. But now you know the real
reason, does that make difference in the
way you feel3"
"A little difference; but not enough. l
can't forgive you; though I tried to last
night, when you were good to Mira. When
told you that that mo, l can't say it!'
Il know what you mean. Hasn't it been
But of course knew you didn't really-care
hang: it was only"
II did care-then. That is what you said
to me, isn't it? Now 1 hate you for your
brutality. And you can do what you ike!"
She was greatly daring. If he should take
her at her word! Yet she knew now he
would not. In this moment, when he
thought himself strong, she-the young girl
who had no weapons against his strength,
if he chose to use it-she knew that she had
bound him to her more securely than in his
few seconds of weakness the night before.
Il shall do nothing" he said heavily,
4that hadn't made up my mind to do be-
fore. What-do you think I'm mean enough
face you hate me?'
you seemed to believe me capable of any
vileness. Why should think well of you?
Poor me! begged you last night to give
me the benefit of the doubt. was almost
on my knees to you. l implored you to
seem friendly, if you couldn't feel it, and to
dance with me at the ball. Now you beg
my pardon for trying to make one sort of
bargain, and in the same breath you suggest
my making another. If you give me grace,
if you consent to dance, I'm not to tempt
you again! Now | don't ask you to dance.
dare you to do it! And make no promise
with me, you're coward"
@If you were a man, and said that
Troy muttered. He looked, she thought, as
if he would like to kill her.
am not man. I'm only a girl" she
answered, @and because I'm a girl I'll punish
you for what you've done to meas can.
You liked me little last night, and then
you threw me off. If you dare to go to the
ball and dance with me tonight, MIR. Troy,
you shall love me! And I"
"And you-what will you dor" he asked
in strange voice.
4You shall see-if you dare run the risk"
The veins at Troy's temples swelled and
beat. His eyes looked dangerous. Il dare!"
he said. u told you last night was no
longer afraid of you. 1t shall be true still!
Thank you for warning me, that's all. You
can't turn me hands breadth now"
Every WE'LL" she tainted him. @Let it
stand at that-till tonight; for I'm no
longer afraid of you, either! Enough of this.
n going to breakfast. If you have the self
restraint not to look like demon, and make
everyone stare at us, you may come too
HE followed her without another word;
= and wondered at her, and, through her,