The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1914-05-08

vited. She shook her head. He went
on: Il 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'T" the sudden protest might
have been a cry Of physical pain. "Mr.
Van Vechten, l am wholly unworthy
of any gentleman's forbearance and
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.
At 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 / observe all the niceties OF
behavior with which / 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.
IF you DON'T" he supplemented, 81
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 a ludicIous side Of the
whole affair. But as yet he had no
hint of how vitality 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
Pretty soon she gained her self-con-
troll, and began speaking with degree
of calmness.
"Mr. Van Vechten, If somebody had
told me the story of what happened
Tuesday afternoon about some woman
other than myself, l 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 / did not-deiiberately.
even kept the affair to myself, not
mentioning 1t to a living soul; except
that l took measures to protect myself
from future similar annoyance by that
dreadful creature" In sudden pas
sionate outburst, she sat upright. MY
God!-he might have murdered you'll"
"But he did not, you see. Nor did
he injure you. So why talk about it :?
| can think Of thousand pleasanter
topics-yourself, for example. Sup
pose you tell me who you are?"
The dark eyes were regarding him
tragically.
my name does not in the least mat
ter" she demurred. Il am a despicable
creature who had the effrontery to
hate you just because your name hap
pens to be Van Vechten."
That young gentleman pricked up
his ears at this. He quickly inter
posed:
THAT being the case, seem to be
more concerned than you are willing
to admit Why should you hate the
name Van Vechten? l must confess
that l have added nothing to its lus-
ter, yet neither have / besmirched 1t,
nor allowed the clans gonfalon to trail
in the dust. You see that my feelings
toward you are anything but harsh
and vindictive; so why not tell me
about yourself?"
"No, mol am too full OF shame and
notification" she cried bitterly. II
owed II to my own mean, selfish,
heartless pride to humble and abase
myself before you. hated you. But
you are courageous. noble, high
minded gentleman. N you knew-ev-
erything-"
Again she was unable to go on.
"Why not tell me-everythingr he
gently urged.
"You would hate and despise me
more than ever"
He took one OF her hands In his.
1T Is impossible that should hate
or despise you; there Ia the very best
of reasons why could not. My ap-
pearance is all against any cause
might plead, but-you are trembling!"
he abruptly broke of.
81 am utterly wretched!" she
moaned.
For once in his life. at least, Van
vechten was at a loss. The girl was
80 determined TO humble herself, the
idea was so repugnant to his nice
sense OF fitness. and his attempts to
influence her we're so ineffective, that
he despaired of relieving the situation.
She seemed unconscious Of the fact
that he still held her hand. and sat