Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1915-09-08
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has decided that she can't marry you.
We've talked it over"
WHAT" gasped the other, dismayed,
His jaw dropped. Impossible! l don,
could change"
Eric held up his hand. smiling rather
wanly as he met the distressed look in
the eyes OF Mary's lover.
But I'll see to it that she reconsid-
ers. She does love you. She's doing
all this for my sake. and because ]
nave been so selfish as to make it quite
impossible for her to do anything else
but give you up. Take off your coat,
Jack. I'd like to have you stay for
dinner with us. But before accept
he invitation, I have something I want
to say to you. / a a confession to
make. I'm going to give it to the world
ALL"
Back In the little dining room the
single maid-of-all-work was laying the
table. With the opening nj closing
of the kitchen o there came subtly
into the front part Of the house the
fragrant aroma Of boiling coffee.
"A confession?" demanded Payson,
all at sea owe the riotous turn his
emotions had taken. What can you
have to confess?"
The door Of the hall opened sud-
denly. Mary stood before them, look
Ing from one to the other with dark,
questioning eyes. She had heard the
behind the partly opened door. as she
paused there for a 1nal touch to her
hair. A dainty, exquisite housegown
of pink enveloped her slender figure.
H has no confession to make,' she
protested shrilly. 60 away, Jack.
please go away. 1 must talk with him
alone"
Roth MON startod forward actnated
by totally different impulses.
I'll go. Mary, If you. ask it Of" be-
gan one with an eloquent tenderness
in his voice. He felt rather than un-
derstood the gravity Of the situation.
Waltz" demonstrated the other. Its
only fair to Jack, Mary. I've asked him
to stay. But 1t must be settled before
hand. whether he is with me or against
Please go back to your room. dear,
until I've"
NO" she said firmly, advancing into
the room. Jack, dear, IL you love me
got"
Payson looked from one to the other,
in plain distress.
IF he really loves you, he'll stay and
what 1 have to say. That will be
the test" said Eric.
Twill you go. Jack?" she pleaded.
coming up to him and putting her
hands on his arms.
Certainly ne SdlO.
Eric. in dumb wonder. watched him
slip into the storm coat he had dis
carded the moment before. He offered
no further resistance to his departure,
but seemed literally to shrink into the
background. although. in plain truth,
he did not move an inch from the spot
which he stood.
lover. There he turned and put his
strong hands on her shoulders. He
made no vulgar display Of his love; and
1t was a great, masterful love. His
eyes alone caressed her.
"In come tomorrow, Mary. What
ever 1t is that distresses you-and Eric.
too--thresh it all out tonight. It's bet
ter that you should. Then, lear heart,
when / come tomorrow I shall be able
to help you. Ask anything Of me. I
am your slave. Good night. Good
night, Eric"
He passed out into the night. gently
closing the door behind him. For q
moment she stood where he left her,
stared dumbly at the closed door. The
porch came to her. then the brisk
tread on the gravel walk.
h put her arms against the door
and laid her head upon them, burying
her face. For q long time she held this
rather tragic position. There was no
sound in the ROOM. Eric was watching
her inertly. The maid of all work
floor. Theyid did not hear It strike.
At last she raised her face. looking
straight aoove her. as II to heaven.
After q moment. she turned to her
brother.
You must change your clothes.
minutes" she said. YEARLY.
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