Rocky Ford enterprise., 1914-10-16

necessary to add that he was botf
amazed and profoundly curious.
The girl rose to her feet and moved
a bit away from him.
viii you not be seated?" he in
vited. She shook her head. He went
on: II realize that some curious pur
pose has brought you to see me, and
that you are agitated. Take your
time; ! am now. as always. at your
service"
"Don'ti" the sudden protest might
have been cry of physical pain. "Mr
Van Veohten. am wholly unworthy
of any gentleman's forbearance and
courtesy; the most ordinarily civility
from you but heaps humiliation upon
humiliation. l deserve nothing from
you but scorn and contumely. That,
can endure: but Kindness" She was
unable to proceed.
| eat last Van Vechten was beginning
to comprehend the motive behind this
visit.
IF you don't compose yourself" he
said pleasantly. I'VE are not likely to
arrive at any sort of understanding.
Please drag a chair over close to me-
! can't see you very we'll. you know;
nor can l observe all the niceties of
behavior with which l would like to
celebrate this event and make you
welcome. For, believe me. nobody
ever crossed my threshold who was
more welcome"
He could see well enough. however.
to note that any reference to his pres
ent incapacity hurt the girl. She did
not stir. .f
IF you DON'T" he supplemented, "I
shall be obliged to make the effort
anyhow"
At once she brought chair over
close to him and sat down. Support
ing her chin with one hand. she rest
ed the elbow upon an arm of the chair.
She was SO winsome and pretty, and
albeit SO distressed. that Van Vechten
wanted more than anything else to
make her see , Iudierous side Of the
whole affair. But as yet he had no
hint Of how yitally serious 1t was to
her; at present her intense nature
was much too earnest to be, swayed
by any attempt at levity. or any play
Of his cynical humor.
Nihetey oooh suc gained ueT oeiI-Cou-
troll. and began speaking with a degree
of calmness.
"Mr. Van Yechten, II somebody had
told me the story of what happened
Tuesday afternoon about some woman
other than myself, / would have be-
lieved 1t too monstrous to be true"
But you did nothing" Van vechten
objected. You were in deadly peril !;
the fellow was Irresponsible"
Il could have brought you assist
ance. and 1 did not-deliberateiy. I
! even kept the affair to myself. not
mentioning 1t to living soul; except
that took measures to protect myself
from future similar annoyance by that
dreadful creature" In a sudden pas.
sionate outburst. she sat upright. My
God!-he might have murdered you!'
But he did not, you see. Nor did
he in1ure you. So why talk about It!
can think of thousand pleasantef
topics-yourself. for example. Sup
pose you tell me who you are7'
The dark eyes were regarding him
tragicaIly.
MY name does not in the least mat
/
creature who had the effrontery tc
hate you just because your name hap
pens to be Van yechten."
That young gentleman pricked W
his ears at this. He quickly inter
posed:
That being the case. l seem to bt
more concerned than you are willinl
to admit. Why should you hate tn,
name Van Vechten? | must confess
that | have added nothing to its lus
ter. yet neither have | besmirched II
nor allowed the clans gonfalon to trai
in the dust. You see that my feeling
toward you are anything but harsl
and vindictive; so why not tell m,
about YOURSELF"
mo, mol am too full of shame an,
notification" she cried bitterly. e
owed 1t to my own mean. selfish
heartless pride to humble and abas
myself before you. l hated you. Blu
you are a courageous, noble. high
minded gentleman. II you knew-ey
erything-"
Again she was unable to go on.
why not tell me-everything? h
gently urged.
You would hate and despiee m
more than ever"
, He took one of her hands in his.
1T is impossible that ! should hat
or despise you; there is the very bes
OF reasons why could not My al
pearance is all against any cause
might plead. but-you are trembling!
| he abruptly broke of.
-b
moaned.
For once In his life. at least. Va
{ vechten was at loss The girl wa
SO determined to humble herself. tn
idea was so repugnant to his mic