The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1915-08-30
A WINNING PENALTY
BY JEAN GREY.

wortnlly, could love you, starve
with you joyously." she said, but
when you let weak pride and pure
vanity stand in the way"
Il don't understand" Davis inter
rupted, looking uncomfortable.
"You do understand" Elsie retorted
you think 1t beneath your dignity to
listen to reason. Graham wanted you
to rewrite an act. You put the play In
drawer and have not looked at II
since. Because, fursooth. he's an ass
of the stage. ! know it-everybody
does. But he has the instinct that
tells him what will get over. You
lack it. Your way may be ever SO
much finer"
Thanks for them kind words" Da.
Wis tried to say with merry scorn, but
hurt and angry in spite of himself.
Elsie went on pitilessly: 1T was
so with your book-first half is ador.
able-fresh and witty and clean. Ev.
erybody says so-but you will lug in
dirt all through the last half. Need
less dirtl Yes, you shall hear the
truth. If your soul wore a dirty gar
ment could understand your sticking
by it, 1t doesn't. You are clean -
your uncleanness is Just affectation-
no matter how you prate about
strength"
This grows monotonous," Davis
broke in, like the Mona Lisa smile.
I'd rather be sworn at than have you
so perfectly reasonable. Maybe I
ought to let impatience do her per-
feet work. Still it occurs to me you
are perhaps more acutely aware OF
my shortcomings from viewing them
through the lens Of another mans
perfections.
only partly right" Elsie answered
I've felt this coming all along-but
until you brought in Maginn
wouldn't let myself say it--even to
myself. /"
$50 fetched stick to break my
own head. Well, 1t shall be bless
you, my children!" Davis interrupted
superbly. "Maginn, the little busy
bee, improves the shining hour. Nat
urally he hovers over all sweets"
"Maginn has just this to do with
IT," she cried, her nails dug into her
palms. He's below you--worlds be-
meath you-in every way except one
he does what he can and does 1t with
sincerity OF belief in himself that
quite redeems his conceit. II you
tried only half so hard"
You forget. am not a bankers
son. Davis cried, now thoroughly
angry Don't waste more breath,
my dear. understand. You are
tired of waiting, of hoping of believ-
ing Maginn, with his expectations,
his sweetly solemn mind, tempts you
sadly Take him and welcome.
offer you my felicitation. and wish
you very good evening"
"As you will, but take this Elsie
answered, slipping off his ring,
mere thread Of gold with a winking
fire opal on top. Her hand trembled.
Was 1t for this she had but half an
hour earlier sent Maginn away with a
NO so kind it was irrevocable? She
knew 1t was wicked, but she had been
kind as penance for hating poor
Maginn because of his humble per-
fectlons. They were bearing him so
much farther and higher than Lynn
Davis better parts were ever likely
to carry him
Aren't you truly sybarite in
love with luxury?" Davis asked,
drawing pace nearer.
She shook her head, her breath
coming quick Il don't mind lack
ing things-hardly little Bit she
said. The hard part ia doing with
out, because you must. II | we're
only rich enough I should let myself
be really dowdy now and then"
rs that why you are suddenly SO
severe with me?" Davis asked, his
eyes beginning to twinkle. She flung
up her head, saying bravely with
crimson flush. MOI"
Then why, Maginn and his per
fections aside?" Davis demanded.
She turned on him. her eyes flash
ing Let Maginn alonel" she said
Mention of him is-insulting. My
concern is-you You only Do you
think 1t does not hurt me TO have
you slothful. Indifferent, to see men
unfit to black your shoes going ahead
of you in the race OF life? You are
not great. but do believe you have
In you the makings OF greatness. | |
thought love and trust would help
you to show it. Now see my mis-
take. You say you love me?''
1T may be delusion-bnt love to
hug IT," Davis answered.
Then II you do--if you care
enough to think Of me as wife, lis
ten, Put it to yourself thus: Here is
a prize worth winning. I'm going to
win 1t. though the Job is mans size.
1t means hard work and putting
dragons to rout--dragons of shyness
and conceit--"
"Ah, me. How highly some people
esteem themselves" Davis broke In. |
Say. guardian angel, what win hap
pen, II refuse?"
Worse things--much worse. Elsie