Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-06-29
SEVENTH EPISODE.

OF one thing only she was sure-that
she would decide nothing until she was
sure that her decision was right. But
this begging Of the question for the time
being did not seem to have a silencing
effect upon Tommy himself.
"A man enormously. assumes certain
rights or claims upon a certain woman.
If she won't be his, at least she ought
to be- because he saw her first, or he
was first to love her, or he interviewed in
her behalf and saved her from something
or other-in the case of Celestia. Tommy
had saved her from death. Also he had
been the first to see her, and the first
to love her.
Celestial he said to her one day this
hands still in bandages from superficial
burns). IF oply to be logical and con-
sistent, you ought to marry me. 1 know
that you are absolutely sincere in the
belief that YOU are going to make the
whole world happy. I'm small part
Of the world. Unless you make me
happy, and you don't show any symptoms
of doing that. you can't possibly sue
coed, can you?"
Celestia considered, half smiling Then
she said. wholly smiling: What did you
merely to look at me. merely to breathe
the same air l breathed, merely to hear
the sound Of my voice. was happiness for
your"
oh. Celestial" he said, hopelessly.
that Those are the things that man
bust has to say to the girl he loves. I
Don't know why he has to say 'em, but
A, srx1-- -.
Ruth. It's heaven just to look at you.
Yes, IL is, And I'm the moment of look
ing it's hell to think that maybe you are
never going TO love me and belong to
me-.
But marriage" she said more gravely,
is a whole hfe's work in itself. And
already I've a whole life's work cut out
for me-"
Celestial said Tommy you are so
wonderful I believe you could DO two
whole life's works at once. do And 1
well, maybe I could manage one on my
own account; but II wouldn't be work.
II would be doing things 1 just couldn't
help doing-loving you and trying to
make you happy
Tommy" said Celesta. IF now, when
we are not even engaged"
II am"
not even engaged 10 be married,
YOU exert yourself in every way to keep
me from going about among the people
and telling them how the world may be
: made a better state, try in fact to keen
me all to yourself. how would IL be II
We we're married? I've got to 20 the way
] have been sent TO go, and you, with
the law in your side. and ali the tradi-
tons OF a mans rights in marriage.
would try TO prevent me"
What II | promised not to-"
You'd have TO promise that"
want you So" exclaimed Tommy.
that I'll promise anything. Will you
marry me?"
Il don't know. Tommy dear. she said.
He drew long breath, rose and walked
10 the window.
think not" said celestia. and then
noting the really tragic expression upon
the young mans face she added. but
sometimes think I'd like to-"
II had been found necessary to install
a telephone In the Douglas house. on ae.
count OF the swiftly spreading range OF
Celestia's engagements
This was now heard ringing, and a mo-
ment-, later Freddie the Ferret inter
rupted them to say that some ona
wanted 70 speak with lIr. Steele.
u Tommy returned from the telephone
Z looking still more detected.
Il expected to stay all afternoon" he
/ said, land help you with your mail; but
" seems that my father wants to see me
very urgently ana ! suppose I've got to
go?'
'Of course you have" said celestis
cheerfulb.
Freddie" said Tommy. r neglected