The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1914-08-20
with head bowed, indubitably very mis-.
| erahie and unhapnv

with head bowed, indubitably very mis-.
cradle and unhappy.
Listen TO me-" he resumed after Q
pause. Il can show you that your
whole conception Of the matter Ia NOR.
bid-false-inexcusable. This is not
the time and place to make this con-
fession-aot the occasion ! should
have chosen-but-are you listening?
there has not been one minute since
last Sunday afternoon that you have
been out of my thoughts"
She looked at him in wonder.
Sunday" she echoed. What do
you mean?"
THAT love you"
She tried to withdraw her hand, but
his closed upon it tightly.
ouch! That hurts!" he exclaimed.
She Immediately desisted, while a
rich tide, of color suffused her cheeks.
MIR. Van Vechten," she said nerv,
ously, this is absurd. Still, If 1t is
your method of revenge, 1t is not for
me to show resentment. You do not
even know my name"
81 do" he quietly contradicted. "It
is Jessie"
She uttered a surprised little cry.
Why"
walt, please he checked her. Il
want TO add that if you believe the
pure, high attributes you ascribe 10
me, you must know that | could not
take such a method of reVenge-as-
Stunning that / am seeking revenge, or
even that any grounds exist to justify
revenge, which | deny. 1t remains,
therefore, that ! must be sincere.
You surely know, Jessie, that love
laughs at conventionalities as well as
at obdurate parents and locksmiths.
It is incredible that such a thing could
happen-Iu even admit that. But the
fact remains that it has happened. |
love you; and if you continue in the
belief that you owe me some amends,
why, we can square matters by you
promising to marry me. | shall accept
your culpability upon that basis and
no other"
For a long time she sat looking into
his eyes. Then
DO you mean that?" she asked very
soberly.
q was never more earnest in my
life" he assured her.
Then" she said, rising and gently
disengaging her hand, Il shall promise
this: One week from today-if your
feelings have not changed in the mean
time-if you can make the request
with as much sincerity as you do now
II will marry you any time you say.
Good-by."
She moved toward the reception
hall, and his feelings were too over
powering for speech. IL all seemed like
a joyous dream coming true-or, per-
haps, ne was still dreaming. If so.
the dream was about to end, and he
found utterance.
Jessie" he said.
She paused.
Come back here a moment, please.
There . Give me your
hand again-both of them, Now look
at me-" She complied with each re-
quest as quickly as it was made. Tell
me-" he went on, SIS that promise a
part of your poor, misguided, selfima
posed ~penance?"
Don't ask me what urges it," she
replied in a shaking voice.
Il shan't accept it in any such
warped and distorted spirit Of self-sac-
r%iice," he pursued. still speaking very
gently. but none the less earnestly. 1T
is too much to expect that you can en-
terrain a sentiment toward me that
anywhere near approaches mine-not
now. But l a teach you-girl, | can
teach you! | give you as genuine a
love as any man can offer a woman
Can't you acknowledge some kindly
feeling for me in return?"
Let me CO." she begged IN an agi-
tated whisper. God knows, ] antici-
pated nothing like this!"
rs the idea so repugnant to your"
you are killing me with k~indness!"
The quivering rise and fail of her
bosom betrayed how profoundly she
was disturbed, and the light in her
handsome dark eyes signifed a melt
ing mood. Even the bruises on Van
| V~echten's face could not disguise the
fondness with which he regarded her.
AT least you do not deny 1t.
God!" he broke off in an accession OF
irritation. 1T is intolerable to be at