Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-05-27
CHAPTER XIX. Continued

Gs% CHAH Eli Ala. (CoHIilueu.)
Yourself! I'd like to steal you, but
hang your rings!' He didn't say
hang; he used the other word. He
forgot himself completely.
A garden of wild roses blossomed on
sthe girls fair cheek, but she held her
Eyelf with rare composure. Il wonder,
Mr. Bennett she observed quietly,
''how / should answer such mad ire
ssponsible TALK"
cts the truth And If were
thief-which I'm mott wouldn't steal
-FOUR rings Even thief wouldn't
steal the rings Of the girl he loves
More roses. Outraged flushing, no
doubt, Yet still the girl managed to
maintain her composure. "You dare
go very far, do you not, Mr., Bennett?'
Yes; and I'll 60 further. I love
every hair of your head. Even when
you're cruel ne hurried On reckless
IN. "and heaven knows you can be
cruel enough, l love you. | love your
lips when they say the unkindest and
most outrageous things to me. love
your eyes when they look scorn.
ought not to love you, but do. Why,
II loved you the first time l saw you.
And do you think If l were all those
things you think me. I'd dare stand
up here and tell you that? l didn't
mean to tell you ever that l loved
YOU. But that's my answer when you
imply I'm a rank criminal. mans
got to have a clear conscience to love
you as I do. Such love can only go
with clear conscience. Why, you're
30 wonderful and beautiful to me
couldn't" Bob paused. Don't you
sec the point?" he appealed to her
"A man couldn't have you in his heart
and not have the right to hold up his
head among his fellow men,"
Miss Gerald did not at once an
swer; she had not moved. The sweep
ing dark lashes were lowered; she
was looking down. "You plead your
cause very ingeniously Mr.. Bennett"
she observed at length, her lashes
suddenly uplifting. The lights were
still there in the violet eyes; they
seemed yet mocking him. you In
woke the sacred name of love/as a
proof Of your innocence. The argu.
ment is unique If not logical she
went on with pitiless accents and the
red lips that uttered the sacred name
OF love" smiled. II have been rather
interested however, In following your
somewhat fantastic defense of your
self. That it has incidentally involv-
ed is also mildly interesting. Do you
expect me to feel flattered?" The red
TIPS still smiled. Bob was quite near
but she didn't move away. She seem
Cd quite unafraid of him.
"You needn't feel ashamed" said
Bob sturdily. And his eyes flashed.
They seemed to say no woman ought
to be ashamed of an honest mans
love. II may be mad over you,' ne
went on. "but I'm not ashamed of 1t.
There isn't thought Of you that
doesn't make me want to be better
man. and a stronger and more useful
one, too he added, squaring his shout
ders.
Again the long lashes swept slightly
downward, masking the violet, and
the girls lips moved-a ripple or
amusement, no doubt. She looked up,
however, once more with that appear
ance of deadly calm. Then you deny
1t. in toto, having seen my ring to-
night"
Bob swallowed. Again he dropped
from the heights. ..s....-.
tYou do not speak, said Miss Ger
lid. studying him.
"T-wish you wouldn't ask me that
he managed to say
~Why not ?" lifting her brows. Even
ne you saw it you could say you
hadn't"
That's just the point" Miserably.
y couldn't"
"Then YOU did see it
81 did"
'You had it, perhaps?"
~ did"
"You have it now"
NO"
"Ah. you have passed it on. to an
accomplice, perhaps Mockingly.
Miss Gerald drew up her proud figure.