Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1914-04-05
American Sunday Monthly Magazine Section

it, would not have done this to you!"
But | am very sure of that, Mr.. Gay
so let us not think any more about it"
81 can't helpit | feel like "a murderer
"a striker down of something lovely and
innocent and helpless SITS horrible =
that's what it is to me-simply horrible
what have done-to such a-thoroughbred
girl as YOU"
1t was not your fault"
Every generous and noble sentiment
you utter" he said, makes my stupidity
the more-the more criminal!'
Mr.. Cay" she protested, with the faint
est Of smiles curving her lips, 81 am afraid
you have an infinite capacity for making
/ yourself unhappy"
81 really haven't" he replied honestly,
but somehow-to do such a thing to
yon-makes me immeasurably m-m-mis-
cradle"
you mustn t feel it so deeply"
"Deeply!" He laughed hollow laugh.
He was only twenty-five. And the girl
was very beautiful Or, to be scientific
ally accurate, she was very beautiful to him.
What it was that hit him so hard her
beauty, distress, clean shooting, pluck,
thoroughbred philosophy, sweet consideration
Of his own wretched feelings, or whether
it was a combination of all these-the dead
Hest combination he had ever encountered
he did not stop to consider
One thing he knew; he had never before
beheld such a girl And in the lives of all
men, once, there comes such moment as
was now coming upon him.
How can you lie there smiling at me, "
he asked in a low, unsteady voice, "when
perhaps | have crippled you for life?"
How perfectly absurd"
at is not absurd That exquisitely
delicate ankle-that small-boned, perfectly
arched-"
al am built like horsel" she exclaimed,
laughing the gay laugh of perfect health.
Eyes, thoroughbred horse"
NO, a draught- horse" She laughed
again with a sudden sparkle of perverse
rcckessness a simile had flashed into
her mind. "A draught-horse, Mr.. Gay"
she repeated, the kind that pulls beer
wagons.
"What."
She said with calm audacity:
"You've heard of beer on draught,
haven't you? Well, that's why they call
them draught horses. And that's why I'm
built like one. Besides" she added, her
pcrvcrse humor exciting her to kick over
the card-castle she had been SO patiently
erecting for months, :" | live at the Bungalow,
and I'm as sturdy as one of my own brew
cry horses, and my name is Edna Ritter
And sometimes | drink glass of my own
beer"
His fascinated gaze remained fixed on
hers.
Sc" she added, with last fgurative
kick at the Card-castle, ''you may tell your
employer, Mr.. Clifton, that YOU found
Edna Ritter, Brewer shooting doves on
this disputed territory-and you may in
form him how very properly and thoroughly
you punished her for trespassing."
After a silence he said, looking into the
blue eyes brilliant with humour, mischief
and pain:
SO you are Edna Ritter!"
Brewer of Beers, she added. Don't
forget that"
He remained silent
She continued to watch his expression,
dropped her curly head back on her arms,
still watching him from under pretty, inso-
lent lids.
"As for the land" she added after
moment, - he may have it if he wishes =
your employer Mr.. Clifton
"Why?N asked Clifton simply
"Why? Because he wants it"
Do you not want it, toO?"
For second her slightly flushed and
dainty features became beautiful.
81 do not permit myself to desire what
Others want" she said very quietly "Mr.
Clifton is welcome to this land Tell him
So And she turned her head, resting her