Oxford Democrat., 1914-02-03

seem himself. that was all, and mopy.
Dreadfully mopy.
"It's because I'm going away tomor-
row." he said. "Because"-and he
faltered at anything 80 outright-"be-
cause III never see you again."
There was pause.
"You mustn't" she murmured at
last. II don't want you to 90 away"
"But have to-"
"Oh, you have TOT" she repeated
questioningly.
ITO do things-to start In seriously"
He could not say mules. Mules stuck
In his throat.
"But how does that mean never see
Ing me again? That's what you said,
wasn't it?'
"It's hard to explain; you wouldn't
understand"
mo, l don't suppose would" she
assented. IT was foolish enough to
think that you-that you"-
That loved your
"Oh, no, no, not that; that would be
absurd
"But I do"
he walked along, grimly, stifly, in
fury with everything. "That's why I
was on such pins and needles up
there" he broke out passionately. 81
had no right there, and knew it.
Every look at you drove it home-the
utter hopelessness Of 1t. I have to 60
away with the few thousands have
and try to do something-work-earn
money. But If I succeeded beyond ali
my expectations you would be as in
accessible as ever-as unattainable. I
am nothing, nobody, the dirt under
your feet. You wonder why I was so
dull, so stupid-I was grinding to
pieces, If you want to know; yes, grind
ing to pieces and almost hating your
"If felt like that about anybody I'd
stay" she exclaimed breathlessly. II
wouldn't give anybody else a chance.
I think If I really loved anybody I
would kill them first"
Matt turned and caught her squarely
by the shoulders, those slender, girlish
shoulders, and held her out at arms
length in wise. "You would, would
you?" he cried. Don't tempt me, or I
will! I give you your choice. told
you would 60. It's for you to choose,
the one way or the other. Choose.
choose"
But his revulsion was as swift as his
act. He let her go, stricken at her pal
lor, her gasp Of pain-appalled and in
coherently remorseful. He smoothed
her dress with his big hands; he was
a brute, q crazy brute, he quavered
conclusively: he saw her through
blur, trembling, swaying, obstinately
averting her eyes and giving them lit
tie dabs with her handkerchief. AS
she recovered he waited for his SEN
tence, his doom. He had transgressed
the last law and might be thankful II
she even spoke to him again. Perhaps
she would turn away without word.
and that would be the end.
When she did speak It was not to an
nihilate him at all. 1t was all her own
fault, she said. tremulously smiling.
That's what always happened when
you goaded elemental people-great,
big, rough, elemental people. They
grabbed you In their great, big, rough,
elemental way and shook the curl out
Of your hair, wanting you to choose.
As though anybody could choose while
being shaken like rat! And what
was she to choose, anyhow? Would
he please tell her like an ordinary,
grownup, unelemental person"
Matt was more abashed than II the
heavens had opened with thunderbolts.
He had expected thunderbolts, and In
sort of way had braced himself to
receive them; but he had no armor
against these teasing shafts. He COL
ored to the ears and was acutely en-
barrassed, wincing at every allusion to
his outrageous conduct. She seemed
to enjoy making him wince-found a
wicked zest in 1t. Everything he said
was gently ridiculed. That he should
be In love with her was apparently the
most ridiculous thing Of all. She re-
ferred to his word Choose and
tangled up all his blurting explana-
tiOns.
"Men are all egoists," she said cruelty,
"and the contempt you have for us Is