Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1914-01-22

Good n~ight-Alan."
She had seldom called him by his
first name and the sound Of It from
her lips thrilled and Modified him
slightly, though jealousy still ranked
him. Good night, good friend.
think you acted splendidly through 1t
all-nobly. Rest assured l shall not
forget It."
Even when he is reading to your"
he returned with a trace Of sarcasm.
Over her face came a tiny frown.
which. however. vanished as quickly
as the shadow Of a passing bird.
But he was injured in my defense.
Would you have me turn him out into
the night when he is suffering? 7"
Knowing full we'll that he was un-
reasonable. March was still internally
sulky as he answered her.
Most certainly not But you
seemed SO abnormally enthusiastic
over the prospect Of having him with
you for days and maybe weeks"
Perhaps you would have me inti-
mate to him that his presence is q
burden!"
Not at all. But there is reason in
all things"
Except a man."
He let his hand fall upon the knob
and stood confronting her. his face
troubled, his voice low and earnest.
Doris, you know that / love you, and
when a man loves a woman as l do
you he would be a strange animal II
he were not Jealous of everybody
else. He might not want to exactly
kill every other man that came hang
ing around her, but II he had horns
he would be sure to hook them out Of
the way. And I do recognize the fact
that Clay Is popular among those of
your sex at least. And when l see
your sollcitude for him when he Is not
even injured seriously-well, 1t makes
me wonder II l were in his place II
you would be equally sympathetic. Do
you suppose you would?" She avert
ed her eyes, glancing down at the
dainty toe Of her white slipper, which
tapped the floor rantalizingly.
How can l tell since you are not
seriously injured?"
He turned up the collar Of his light
coat preparatory to facing the cool
night air without. Doris, II you are
really in doubt a to your feelings
toward me I am content to be patient
until they have crystallized and you
know your W mind. But II you are
merely letting me make love to you
during all this time through vanity"
Her eyes commenced to flash and he
paused abruptly.
do you wish me to answer you to.
night?" There was a challenge in her
manner that caused him to hasten to
dodge a bit.
by no means. And taking all in all
into consideration I do not know but
that things are better as they are. You
| will be with Tolliver considerably in
the near future, and SO far as I am
concerned you and he shall not be
interrupted. This shall be his day
In court to plead his case. At the end
Of his stay l shall come to you again,
but until then / shall leave you undis.
turbed unless you inform me that
can be of assistance or that you wish
to see me for any reason. Good
night" He opened the door, holding
out his hand to her as he did 80.
She took 1t with great formality.
Very we'll, 1t shall be as you a y. If
l really need you l will certainly let
you know. And please do nothing des.
perate while you are reveling in. your
misery. Nor forget that I praised you.
Adios, mia amigo" She smiled per.
f~unctorily and retired a step. and with
a last bow March passed down the
steps, biting his lips at the mockery
Of her final adieu.
Once upon the street his feet fell
heavily. For the first time that night
he realized that he was weary, mex.
pressibly weary. with a pain that
pulsed through his head with the
steady insistency Of a slowly beaten
drum. He had intended to go into
the more thickly settled business dis
trict to see II he could be OF any as
s~istance there, but 80 worn out by
the excitement and mental and phys
ical strain of the night was he. and
SO disprited did he feel that the sui.
ferings Of others now gave him little
concern. At any rate there would be
plenty OF uninjured to assist the I'M
fortunate. a hundred who were well
to one who was not, and besides there
was little likelihood Of his being able
to do more than get in the way OF
those more qualified for the task. Be
that as It might, the rest Of the world
would have to worry along without
him for the night-tomorrow he might
feel called upon to sacrifice himself.
He went straight to his apartments.