The Green Forest tribune., 1916-03-03

regaining her breath with an effort. She had fingered in the front parlors to receive him before her Uncle Jim should know that he was in the house, and she had led him straight into the little tete-a-tete reception room. She meant to free herself quickly.
 Why not?" he laughed, and ao- vanced toward her, taking her attitude lightly, ascribing her action to girl ish whim, confident in his power over her. He meant to dispose of her coy ness by taking her in his arms again. She belonged to him.
 MT. Allison" The tone was cold enough, and deadly in earnest enough to arrest him.
 What's the matter, Gail?" he pro- tested, ready to humor her, to listen to what she had to say, to smooth mat ters out
 You have no right" she told him.
 "Yes I have" he jovially assured her. q hope I don't have to wait until after marriage for kiss. If that's the case I'll take you out and marry you right now"
 There was an infection in his laugh, contagion in the assumption that all was right between them. and that any | difference was one which could be strengthened out with jolly patience, and Gail, though her determination would not have changed, might have softened toward him, had she not seen in his face a look which paled her lips. Ever since last night he had antici- pated her, had rejoiced in his posses sion of her, had dreamed on the time when he should take her for his own; and his eyes were cloudy with his thoughts of her.
 Let us have clear understanding, MT. Allison" She was quite erect, and l looking him directly in the eyes Her own were deep and troubled, and the dark trace which had been about them in the morning had deepened. q told you last night that l should need time in which to decide; 1 have decided. l shall not marry you.'
 He returned her gaze for a moment, and his brow clouded.
 You've changed since last night" he charged her.
 Possibly" she admitted. Tt is more likely, however, that I have merely crystallized. I prefer not to discuss it." She saw on his face the growing instinct to humiliate her.
 You must discuss it." he insisted. Last night when 1 took you in my arms you made no objection. I was justified in doing it again tonight. You're not fool. iou knew from the first that l wanted you, and you en- couraged me. Now, Pm entitled to know what has made the change"
 The telltale red spots began to ap- pear In her cheeks.
 .la'siaTSn ]" sha told hin T IAast night ghtt- your scheme of world empire seemed a wonderful thing to me, but since then I've discovered it cannot be built without dishonesty and cruelty; and you've used both."
 His brow cleared. He laughed heartily.
 You've been reading the papers. There isn't man in the financial field who wouldn't do everything I've done; and be proud of it. l can make you see this in the right light, Gail"
 It's a proof of your moral callous- ness that you think so," she informed him. Gan you make me see it in the right light that you even used me. of whom you pretended to think sacredly enough to marry, to help you in your most despicable trick of all?"
 Look here," he protested That would be impossible! You're misin- formed"
 q wish I were," she returned. "Un- fortunately, 1t is matter of direct knowledge. You caused Vedder court to be torn down because I thought it should be wiped out of existence, and in the process you cheated Market Square church out of six million dol lars!"
 He could not have been more shocked if she had struck him.
 q knew you did not understand" he kindly reproved bAr. q didn't want those old buildings. They couldn't have sold them for the wreckage price. When you suggested that they should be torn down, I saw it. They were a public menace, and the public was right with the movement. The con- demnation price will cover all they could get from the property from any source. You see. you don't understand business" and his tone was forgiving. 'I'd have been foolish to pay six mil lion dollars for something I couldn't use. You know, Gail, when the build ing commissioners came to look over those buildings, they were shocked! Some of them wouldn't have stood up another year. It was only the political influence of Clark and Chisholm and a few of the other big guns of the con- gregation, which kept them from being condemned long ago. You shouldn't interfere in business. It always creates trouble between man and wife" and he advanced to put his arm around her. and soothe her.