Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1915-06-25

9arToI bit you cannot-you will not
ask It Of me, will you?"
But you know | love you" he cried.
There isn't any doubt in your mind,
Lyddy. There is no n else. | tell
you"
Il think l am just beginning to IN
derstand men," she remarked enig-
matically,
He looked up sharply. And to won
der why they call women the weaker
sex, eh?"
Yes" she said so seriously that the
wry smile died on his lips. Il don't
believe there are many women who
would ask a man to be sorry for them
That's really what all this amounts
to, isn't 1t, Freddy"
by %jove!" he exclaimed, wonder
ingly.
you are a strong, self-willed. chiv-
alrous man, and yet you think nothing
of asking a woman to protect you
against yourself. You are afraid to
stand alone. Wait. Five minutes
yes, one minute before you asked 1t
OF me. Freddy dear, you were loun-
dering In the darkness, uncertain
which way to turn. You were afraid
of the things you could not see. You
looked for some place in which to hide.
The fash of light revealed a haven OF
refuge. SO you asked me TOTO marry
you tomorrow" All through this in
dictment she had held his hand
clasped tightly In both Of hers. He
was looking at her with a frank &C
Acknowledgement growing In his eyes.
Are you ashamed OF me, Lyddy?'
he asked. 1t was confession.
NO" she said, meeting his gaze
steadily. Il am a little disappointed,
that's all. II Is you who are ashamed"
Il am" said he, simply. 1T wasn't
fair"
Love will endure. l am content to
wait" she said, with a wistful smile.
you will be my wife no matter
what happens? You won't let this
make any difference?"
You are not angry with met"
angry? Why should | be angry
with you, Lyddy? For shaking some
sense into me? For seeing through
me with that wonderful, far-sighted
brain of yours? Why, I could 60 down
on my knees to you. / could"
He clasped her In his arms and held
her close. "You dear, dear Lyddy!'
Neither spoke for many minutes. II
"a she who broke the silence.
you must promise one thing, Fred
eric. For my sake, avoid a quarrel
with your father. | could not bear
that. You will promise, dear? You
must"
His jaw was set. II don't intend tC
quarrel with him, but IL | am to re
main In his house there has got tc
be-"
Promise me you will wait. He Is
going away in a couple of weeks
When he returns-later on-nex'
fall"
"Oh, If 1t really distresses you
Lyddy, I'll"
ut does distress me. want you
promise"
"Tll do my part" he said, resigned
ly. And next fall will see US ma
ried, So"
The telephone bell in the hall wa
ringing. Frederic released Lydia
hand and sat up rather stifly, as ont
who suddenly suspects that he Is be
ing spied upon. The significance o
the movement did not escape Lydia
She laughed mirthlessly.
Il will see who it u.s." she said, AM
arose. Two red spots appeared in hi
cheeks. Then it was that she realizes
he had been waiting all along for tn
bell to ring; he had been expecting
summons.
"If it's for me, please say-er-sa
III" he began, somewhat disjoin'
eddy, but she interrupted him.
will you stay here for luncheon
Frederic? And this afternoon we wi
go to- Oh, is there a concert or
recital"
Yes, I'll stay If you'll let me,
he said, wistfully. We'll find SOM
thing to do"
She went to the telephone. H
heard the polite greetings, the polit
assurances that she had not take
cold, two or three laughing rejoindel
to what must have been amusing cor
ments on the storm and IT'S effect Q
timid creatures, and then:
Yes. Mrs. Brood, | will call him
the phone"