Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1914-11-07

TREMENDOUSLY. ut never believes In
friendship between men and womeni"
There was a tense pause Then he
spoke, and the words fell sharp as
knives upon the thick emotion that she
had conjured up.
Are we friends?"
The question held much more than
the spoken query. 1t was a denial. and
a challenge.
Her voice was low and vibrant as
she made her reply, her words, like
his, carrying a double meaning that
was equally apparent to them both,
under it's pretense of being matter-of-
fact.
81 don't feel very much like
friend of yours" she said.
How do you feel, them" he asked
gently.
How do 1 feel?" she cried II feel
like-like this."
And slipping from the sofa before
he could prevent her, she fell upon
her knees in front of him, and ,clasping
her hands as IL in worship, gazed up
at him adoringly, almost touching him
as she kne1t.
THAT is how 1 feel" said Iris.
Don't, don't!' said Pedro in a
broken voice.
\ Il love you," said Iris. why, you
surely know it-you must have seen
it,"
who confesses what they believe to be
the most desired of facts.
"Don't." Pedro pleaded again.
But why should 1 not?" she asked
radiantly. 81 love you'll Do you not
like to hear me say it? Does not my
having come here In this manner
prove it?"
moi" he cried in agony, springing
to his feet as though to defend him.
self from something. mo, it proves
not love me! 1t is impossible, impos-
sibIe. have already told you so. Ali
1 cannot endure to have you act SO!
And this is Hills own room!"
But 1 do love you'll" she cried, fol-
lowing him. Pedro, touch me-tell
me that you carei Kiss me, Pedro!"
'Never!" he said fiercely. You do
not love me-you love Hill! Yes, yes,
you do. although you do not realize it.
l am really nothing to you but re-
action-a pastime!"
That Is not true!" she sobbed.
1T isl" he shrilled. You have loved
Hill all alongl Me! Why, it is out of
the question that you should care for
me. 1t is against nature! The atmos
phere of the studio is what you love
here, the informality. the careless free
dom; but, me-ahi no. You love love
itself primarily, and tonight it has
mastered you. But the man whom you
love is HILL"
"Ah, so you care nothing for me,
after ALL" she moaned. But / am
|. past pride; kiss me, Pedro."
81 will mott" he cried, retreating
from her. Il love you in my own way
as much as 1 can love any woman
| but will not kiss you! You are mad
| tonight. 1t is the environment, the
| situation, not me. that has SO aroused
you. You must go home!"
Kiss me, Pedro" said Iris with out
stretched arms.
Roughly he flung her away.
'Listen!" he commanded, you don't
know what you are doing. You are
nothing but an infatuated little animal
tonight. You no more love me than
you love that lamp-than the lowering
moth loves it! There is a splendid
man who does love you, and you re-
turn his affection, although you do not
appear to be conscious of it; but take
| warning-and open your eyes to the
| fact Do so before you succeed in
smuggling your wings at some such
earth-fre as you have tried to light to-
night, Love is sacred, a wonderful
| thing, and it comes to us but once"
But she had not been listening.
Kiss mel" said she.
mol" cried Pedro.
Touch me, them" she cried wildly
| Take my hand-anything. 1 am mad
| for the touch of your handi"
| will you not listen to reason?' he
! implored. Il cannot endure that you
should belittle yourself SOL / cannot
| love you as you wish, and again 1 re-
/ peat. you do not love me-"
She gasped a little, and then came
| to him swayingly, and placed her
| hands upon his shoulders.
81 do not care!" she breathed- You
may hot love me-but love you'll
| Silence. Then
1T is impossible," he calculated.
Another short pause
why did you lead me on to speak?''
she demanded, note of anger creep
ing into her voice
Because l kneNit had to come The
sooner the matter was explained the
| better" he answered.
But you are making no explana-
| tion,'' she complained tenderly.
\ ssCo-,of shall NOT Iof Won 90 until